Daily Career Connection

It’s a fact that professional certification is becoming increasingly important in every occupation, including the fields of information technology, human resource management, healthcare, food service, project management, and many other professions. Because the need for information about professional certification is so great, Mobile Technical Institute (MTI) has launched CertificationConnection.com, a free one-stop resource for individuals seeking tips and advice related to professional certification.

According to Randall Olson, Director of MTI’s certification testing center, “As manager of MTI’s high stakes certification testing center, I see people every day who are facing the challenge of earning — and keeping — the professional certification credentials they need for career success. That’s why MTI created CertificationConnection.com. The site is a go-to resource where people can find the information they need to make the best possible decisions about becoming – and staying — certified.”

CertifictionConnection.com features information about exam preparation classes and study guides, test taking skills and study tips, recertification requirements, ideas for finding affordable certification exam vouchers, and much more. The site is updated frequently, with new content being added each week. Visitors are encouraged to register and share comments and tips with other readers, as well as submit their own certification success stores.
About Mobile Technical Institute
Mobile Technical Institute (www.mobiletechwebsite.com) is a full-service training, certification testing, and IT consulting firm based in Mobile, Alabama. The company administers hundreds of certification exams for a number of recognized vendors in its high stakes certification testing center and provides hands on computer training and business training classes in both open enrollment and corporate training settings throughout the U.S. MTI’s consulting options include assessment solutions, database development, HR consulting, and other services.

Professional certification is a key to success in the information technology profession. If you want to continue advancing in your IT career, you’ll want to work on developing an impressive list of certifications to prove your skills to employers. Of course, keeping up with the latest IT certifications requires continual professional development activities and preparation for taking certification exams.

When you’re ready to take your next certification exam, make sure that you don’t pay more than you have to for your test voucher. While the prices for certification tend to be fairly constant, because they are set by each vendor, it is sometimes possible to find discounts on certification exam vouchers. For example, sometimes vendors offer test voucher discount, free exam retake specials, and even free beta exam vouchers.

Where to Find Discount Certification Test Vouchers
The best option varies based on what types of special offers are available when you are ready to take your next exam. Sometimes paying retail is the only option, but not always. It’s a good idea for you to check around for the best deal before buying, just to be sure that you aren’t paying more than necessary.  If you are a frequent test taker, talk to the exam proctor or other staff member at the local certification testing center where you take your exams. Test centers often receive notification of special offers on exam vouchers, so they may have information that can help you save money on future certification exams.

Sometimes, you’ll be able to get the best deal on testing by purchasing your vouchers directly from your local certification test center. In other cases, you may be best served by ordering your certification exam voucher from Get Certify 4 Less, a website where special offers on early expire vouchers are sometimes available. If you’re planning to purchase exam preparation materials, you may be better off purchasing a certification preparation bundle that includes practice tests, a study guide, and test vouchers.

Importance of Professional Certification
For information technology professionals, it’s impossible to understate the importance of professional certification to career success. Whether you are an entry level IT workers or you have many years of experience, the best way to prove your skills to employers and clients is to demonstrate what  you know by earning professional certification credentials relevant to the type of work you do – or want to do – and the skills you have.

About the Author
Randall Olson is the Director of Information Technology for Mobile Technical Institute, where he oversees the firm’s high stakes certification testing center, conducts computer application training, and manages MTI’s online learning programs. MTI is a full service training and consulting firm, providing open enrollment and on-site employee development training, database development, and website solutions. For more tips related to professional and IT certification, see CertificationConnection.com.

Mobile Technical Institute presents the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification preparation course and testing session on Wednesday, August 12 from 8 am–5 pm at the MTI training center in Mobile, AL.  The full day course will include instructor-led training by Certified ServSafe Instructor Randall Olson, followed by administration of the computer-based ServSafe certification exam with instant score reporting.
Topics covered include understanding and preventing foodborne illnesses, contamination, and biological hazards; managing the flow of food through purchasing, receiving, storing, serving, cooling, reheating, etc.; food service sanitation, cleanliness, and pest control considerations; understanding applicable government regulations and inspection requirements; implementing effective food safety training for staff members; and more.

Seating is limited and advance registration is required no later than Tuesday, August 4.  The cost of the class is $160 and includes the ServSafe Essentials (5th edition) book and same day computer-based testing with instant results for the ServSafe Food Protection Manager exam.  To reserve your seat, register online or call 251-478-6848 for more information.

All over the country, people are worried about the economy. The word “recession” is all over the news. And the people at the highest risk of suffering from a poor economy are the 39 million Americans who don’t have a high school diploma. As jobs get scarcer, more highly qualified workers are on the job market, looking for employment. In an economy where, in some job markets, 75% or more of jobs require a high school degree, the prospects for someone without one are already slim. As jobs become more competitive, people without a GED or high school diploma are the most likely to find themselves without employment.

When the economy begins to look shaky, people tend not to want to make changes in their lives. They put off buying new things, and that includes investing in their education. But the truth is that, when the economy is soft, it’s the worst time to put off pursuing better education. If you’ve been thinking about getting that GED, there has never been a better time. A small investment in studying for and taking the GED exam can lead to a much more secure future and put you in a better position if you need to search for a job.
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