Pfeiffer junior earns computer support certification
Christopher Dyer, a junior computer information systems major at Pfeiffer University, recently earned the CompTIA A+ Certification, a national accreditation recognized by technology vendors and computer support professionals.
A Rockwell native, Dyer is the first student from Pfeiffer’s CIS Department to obtain this certification.
CompTIA A+ is an international, vendor-neutral certification that confirms a technician’s ability to perform various tasks such as installation, configuration and diagnostics. This designation also confirms those certified have learned and mastered principles for dealing with security and environmental issues.
“This invaluable certification ensures that students have learned and obtained these imperative skills,” said Dr. Gerald Poplin, assistant professor of CIS and director of Pfeiffer’s Cisco and Microsoft academies. “By offering these prominent certification options, our CIS program gives students the opportunity to tailor their talents to job specific areas and demonstrates to prospective employers a level of proficiency upon which they can depend.”
Professionals applying for Information Technology (IT) positions who have earned at least two industry certifications have a 40 percent greater chance of being employed than their peers who had none, according to a 2008 study by the U.S. Department of Labor. The study also stated technology professionals with certification credentials made at least 25 percent more than colleagues who had not completed any certifications.
In 2006, Pfeiffer became one of the first four-year colleges in the southeastern United States to become a Cisco Academy, which prepares students for networking and IT-related careers. Pfeiffer also established a partnership with Microsoft Corp. to offer advanced technology training.