Profit from your Certification

Despite claims to the contrary, most IT engineers aren’t born with the ability to rebuild a server or construct a computer network. Gaining those skills typically requires a significant investment in time and access to the resources of a professional training organization. In an industry where the product and service portfolios change with (what seems like) the speed of light, gaining a comprehensive understanding of computer systems, network infrastructures, and even document imaging can be a significant challenge.

And once you gain the proficiency you need in those areas, continuing to advance those skills also can be a challenge. That’s where the resources and dedication of your industry association comes in. We hear stories all the time about the benefits of having a CompTIA certification, from individuals that built their career and/or business on the talents acquired in pursuit of the accreditation. 

Now we’re asking you share some of those stories—memorable points in your IT career that would not have happened without one of their certifications. That's the inspiration for the CompTIA Get IT Video Contest. With $5,000 in prizes, entrants just need to create a video about how they've used CompTIA-certified skills to solve an IT issue, obtain an increase in salary, get a promotion or a new job, or all the above!

Then submit the video by posting it to the judging area of the contest website before February 16. The grand prize ($2,500 U.S.) and second place ($1,500 U.S.) winners will be announced on March 30, while T-shirts also be awarded to several entrants.

If you’re an IT professional with at least one CompTIA certification, you can enter. The theme of the contest is “Why certify?” and your one-minute video contribution should focus on how the accreditation has made a positive impact on your career. If you’re like most IT professionals I know, the toughest part will be deciding which of the many examples you want to use—of course, you can enter multiple videos, too!

The entry with the most votes wins, so focusing your attention and promotion efforts on one video may be the best, but multiple submissions could heighten your company’s or personal awareness in the industry.

Want to boost your chances of collecting the cash? Add the video (and links to vote) to your social media sites, including Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn and YouTube. Encourage your friends, family and peers to share it themselves, building a viral campaign to ensure your success!

Ted Williams (aka the homeless man with the golden voice) is a great example of viral videos taking on a life of their own. Even if you don’t need a place to live or a new job, showcasing your creativity could ensure success. Create a fun parody including your CEO, write a song, perform a dance routing or come up with your own unique ideas. You could recreate “We are the World” with all your CompTIA-certified employees or mimic the Old Spice commercials. Read the rules to ensure your video meets the criteria for posting on the contest page and have fun producing your entry. As long as you keep it respectful, the sky’s the limit!

You can even vote for your own video, so visit http://www.comptiagetitvideocontest.com/ and get started.