We’ve hit the road to meet IT pros across the United States and find out what it’s like to work in tech, how they got into IT and how they keep their skills fresh. When we visited Florida Blue in Jacksonville, FL, and Right Networks in Alpharetta, GA, we heard firsthand why IT pros value certifications and training and how their employers support continuing education. Watch these videos to learn more!
Florida Blue in Jacksonville, FL
Florida Blue is a major health care provider that employs more than 2,000 IT pros in areas like IT infrastructure, IT operations, development and tech support. In order to keep their skills up to date, Florida Blue IT pros take classes and training and make sure to keep their IT certifications current.
“Technology changes so much, and CompTIA, to their credit, has changed with that technology,” said Roderick Barnett, IT business architect – service management office. “I recently learned, wait a minute, I need to go back and recertify because it’s a new body of knowledge.”
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Right Networks in Alpharetta, GA
Right Networks provides cloud services to accounting firms. It incentivizes employees to keep their skills up to date by paying for exam vouchers, allowing them to study during work hours and even earn a bonus when they pass their certification exam.
“Things are constantly changing. You have to make sure you’re up to date on your knowledge,” said Eric Noh, junior consultant. “For certifications, it helps with that.”
Right Networks encourages teamwork and accountability with IT certification study groups. Small groups of four to five people meet weekly to support each other on their IT certification journey. Study groups discuss recommend readings, watch ITProTV and work through practice questions and modules to prepare for their exams.
“By fostering that group environment, we encourage them to take the test,” said Kris Wolf, quality assurance lead. “Now they actually have a deadline because there’s other people around them reminding them they’re all doing it together.”
Ready to get certified? Check out our four steps to certification to find out how to get started.
