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Step-by-step certification guide for people targeting career in IT

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Road map

This road map is suited for people targeting career in IT, probably a position of a web-software engineer and beyond.

Certification-based, trusted

Main points of this road map is to:

  • specify levels of experience (Junior to Fellow),
  • name main qualities of each level (domain expertise, time management, etc.),
  • find a way to prove the named qualities were/are present (mostly via certificates issued by trusted authorities of the topic, e.g. technology vendors).

Step-by-step guide, happy to follow along by myself

There are many certification programs available. Most likely, too many. However, I do my best to come up with the simple and efficient as possible step-by-step guide I would follow myself in order to get better in IT field day after day.

In my point of view, certification programs encourage discipline on personal growth, give a confident order of topics to learn, direct to a new social environment to participate in, trick with new practical situations-challanges you may be already educated enough to deal with, help gaining more value out of situations, help with profit and so on, - all of that seems to be attractive for me as an IT professional.

It is up to you to skip some steps from the mentioned bellow, or follow along. Either way, I do think that jumping too much in front makes the process of learning a bit more difficult, probably not that enjoyable as it may be, and sometimes even results to knowledge gaps as well.

General matrix of experience x qualities

Image of so known Mozilla engineer track

Software Engineer 0 (P0) - Pre-Junior Software Engineer

Software Engineer 1 (P1) - Junior Software Engineer
Time scope of technical accountability and planning horizon 1-3 days
Complexity scope you're expected to tackle Actionable tasks that require little collaboration to complete.
Risk management Escalate with your manager or lead when you are blocked.
Domain Expertise Still learning your domain and industry best practices.
Understanding the Bigger Picture Not expected, but should display potential.
People
Influence Self
Responsibility and Direction Needed Daily to weekly supervision needed from manager or more senior engineers.
Communication Inform your manager of your status.
Team contributions Learns and follows team process.
Evaluation Manager

  • AXELOS

    • ITIL 4
      • ITIL 4 Foundation
        • Exam: ITIL 4 Foundation, Price: 349 EUR, Passing score: 26 marks required to pass (out of 40 available) - 65%, 60 minutes, 40 questions, Requirements: To take the ITIL Foundation exam, no prerequisite is required.

  • CompTIA:

    • CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ (ITF+)
      • Exam: FC0-U61, Price: 119 USD, Passing score: 650 of 900, 60 minutes, Recommended experience: No prior experience necessary.
    • CompTIA Cloud Essentials
      • Exam: CLO-001, Price: 119 USD, Passing score: 720 of 900, 60 minutes, Recommended experience: At least six months working in an environment that markets or relies on IT-related services
    • CompTIA A+
      • Exam: 220-1001 (Core 1), Price: 219 USD, Passing score: 675 of 900, 90 minutes, Recommended experience: 9 to 12 months hands-on experience in the lab or field
      • Exam: 220-1002 (Core 2), Price: 219 USD, Passing score: 700 of 900, 90 minutes, Recommended experience: 9 to 12 months hands-on experience in the lab or field

  • Microsoft certificates and exams:

    • MOS: Microsoft Office Specialist
    • Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)
      • Exam 98-349: Windows Operating System Fundamentals, Price: 77 EUR, Passing score: 700 of 1000?, 50 minutes, Recommended experience: No prerequisite. Candidates for this exam should have knowledge of fundamental Windows operating system concepts in a Windows 10 environment.
      • Exam 98-361: Software Development Fundamentals, Price: 77 EUR, Passing score: 700 of 1000?, 50 minutes, Recommended experience: No prerequisite. Candidates for this exam are seeking to prove core software development skills. It is recommended that candidates be familiar with the concepts of and have hands-on experience with the technologies described here either by taking relevant training courses or by working with tutorials and samples available on MSDN and in Microsoft Visual Studio. Candidates are expected to have some experience with C# or Microsoft Visual Basic .NET.
      • Exam 98-364: Database Fundamentals, Price: 77 EUR, Passing score: 700 of 1000?, 45 minutes, Recommended experience: No prerequisite. Candidates for this exam are seeking to prove introductory knowledge of and skills with databases, including relational databases, such as Microsoft SQL Server. It is recommended that candidates be familiar with the concepts of and have hands-on experience with the technologies described here, either by taking relevant training courses or by working with tutorials and samples available on MSDN and in Microsoft Visual Studio. Although minimal hands-on experience with the technologies is recommended, job experience is not assumed for these exams.
      • Exam 98-365: Windows Server Administration Fundamentals, Price: 77 EUR, Passing score: 700 of 1000?, 50 minutes, Recommended experience: No prerequisite. This exam is designed to provide candidates with an assessment of their knowledge of fundamental server administration concepts. It is recommended that candidates become familiar with the concepts and the technologies described here by taking relevant training courses. Candidates are expected to have some hands-on experience with Windows Server, Windows-based networking, Active Directory, account management, and system recovery tools and concepts.
      • Exam 98-366: Networking Fundamentals, Price: 77 EUR, Passing score: 700 of 1000?, 50 minutes, Recommended experience: No prerequisite. This exam is designed to provide candidates with an assessment of their knowledge of fundamental networking concepts. Candidates for this exam are seeking to prove fundamental networking knowledge and skills. Before taking this exam, candidates should have a solid foundational knowledge of the topics outlined in this preparation guide. It is recommended that candidates become familiar with the concepts and the technologies described here by taking relevant training courses. Candidates are expected to have some hands-on experience with Windows Server, Windows-based networking, network management tools, DNS, TCP/IP, names resolution process, and network protocols and topologies.
      • Exam 98-367: Security Fundamentals, Price: 77 EUR, Passing score: 700 of 1000?, 50 minutes, Recommended experience: No prerequisite. This exam validates that a candidate has fundamental security knowledge and skills. It can serve as a stepping stone to the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) exams. It is recommended that candidates become familiar with the concepts and the technologies described here by taking relevant training courses. Candidates are expected to have some hands-on experience with Windows Server, Windows-based networking, Active Directory, anti-malware products, firewalls, network topologies and devices, and network ports.
      • Exam 98-368: Mobility and Devices Fundamentals, Price: 77 EUR, Passing score: 700 of 1000?, 50 minutes, Recommended experience: No prerequisite. This exam validates that a candidate has fundamental Windows devices and mobility knowledge and skills. It can serve as a stepping stone to the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) exams. It is recommended that candidates become familiar with the concepts and the technologies described here by taking relevant training courses. Candidates are expected to have some hands-on experience with Windows devices, Windows-based networking, Active Directory, antimalware products, firewalls, network topologies and devices, and network ports.
      • Exam 98-369: Cloud Fundamentals, Price: 77 EUR, Passing score: 700 of 1000?, 50 minutes, Recommended experience: No prerequisite. This exam is designed for candidates looking to demonstrate fundamental knowledge of and basic skills using Microsoft cloud services. The exam can serve as a stepping stone to the Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate (MCSA) exams. It is recommended that candidates become familiar with the concepts and technologies described here by taking relevant training courses. Candidates are expected to have some hands-on experience with Office 365, Microsoft Intune, firewalls, network topologies and devices, and network ports.
      • Exam 98-375: HTML5 Application Development Fundamentals, Price: 77 EUR, Passing score: 700 of 1000?, 50 minutes, Recommended experience: No prerequisite. Candidates for this exam are seeking to prove core HTML5 client application development skills that will run on today's touch-enabled devices (PCs, tablets, and phones). Although HTML is often thought of as a web technology that is rendered in a browser to produce a UI, this exam focuses on using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript to develop client applications. Before taking this exam, candidates should have solid foundational knowledge of the topics outlined in the preparation guide, including CSS and JavaScript. It is recommended that candidates be familiar with the concepts of and have some hands-on experience with the related technologies, either by taking relevant training courses or by working with tutorials and samples available on MSDN and in Microsoft Visual Studio.
      • Exam 98-380: Introduction to Programming Using Block-Based Languages (Touch Develop), Price: 77 EUR, Passing score: 700 of 1000?, 45 minutes, Recommended experience: No prerequisite. Candidates for this exam should understand algorithmic flow and implementing common program control structures. Candidates should have experience with block-based programming languages such as Touch Develop, Scratch, and Blockly. Candidates are expected to have some hands-on experience designing, creating, and publishing code within a block-based programming language.
      • Exam 98-381: Introduction to Programming Using Python, Price: 77 EUR, Passing score: 700 of 1000?, 45 minutes, Recommended experience: No prerequisite. Candidates for this exam should be able to recognize and write syntactically correct Python code, recognize data types supported by Python, and be able to recognize and write Python code that will logically solve a given problem. Candidates are expected to have had, at a minimum, instruction and/or hands-on experience of approximately 100 hours with the Python programming language, be familiar with its features and capabilities, and understand how to write, debug, and maintain well-formed, well documented Python code.
      • Exam 98-382: Introduction to Programming Using JavaScript, Price: 77 EUR, Passing score: 700 of 1000?, 45 minutes, Recommended experience: No prerequisite. Candidates for this exam should be able to recognize and write syntactically correct JavaScript code, use data types supported by JavaScript, and be able to recognize and write JavaScript code that will logically solve a given problem. Candidates are expected to have at least 100 hours of instruction or hands-on experience with the JavaScript programming language. Candidates should also be familiar with JavaScript features and capabilities, and understand how to write, debug, and maintain well-formed, well documented JavaScript code.
      • Exam 98-383: Introduction to Programming Using HTML and CSS, Price: 77 EUR, Passing score: 700 of 1000?, 45 minutes, Recommended experience: No prerequisite. Candidates for this exam should be able to recognize and write syntactically correct HTML and CSS, structure data using HTML elements, and create and apply styles using CSS. Candidates are expected to have at least 100 hours of instruction or hands-on experience with HTML and CSS, be familiar with their features and capabilities, and understand how to write, debug, and maintain well-formed HTML and CSS code.
      • Exam 98-388: Introduction to Programming Using Java, Price: 77 EUR, Passing score: 700 of 1000?, 45 minutes, Recommended experience: No prerequisite. Candidates for this exam are application developers working with Java 6 SE or later, secondary and immediate post-secondary level students of software development, or entry-level software developers. Candidates should have at least 150 hours or instruction or hands-on experience with Java, are familiar with its features and capabilities, and understand how to write, debug and maintain well-formed, well documented Java code.

  • Linux Professional Institute certificates:

Software Engineer 2 (P2) - Mid Software Engineer
Time scope of technical accountability and planning horizon 1-2 weeks
Complexity scope you're expected to tackle Actionable tasks that require more than "little" collaboration to complete.
Risk management Spot and raise potential problems with your manager or lead before you get blocked.
Domain Expertise Competent in your domain. Familiar with other areas of domain expertise in your team.
Understanding the Bigger Picture Have awarness of the broader product strategy and contribute to it.
People
Influence Self
Responsibility and Direction Needed Weekly to bi-weekly supervision needed from manager or more senior engineers.
Communication Inform your team of progress you are making.
Team contributions Proficient with team process. Improve own productivity. Positive influence on team.
Evaluation Manager

Senior Software Engineer (P3)
Time scope of technical accountability and planning horizon 1 month
Complexity scope you're expected to tackle Tasks that require further work to be actionable. Can start to effectively reason about concerns that span multiple components in the system.
Risk management Manage risk in your tasks. Resolve getting blocked on your own. Escalate in a timely manner when you get in over your head, which is rare.
Domain Expertise Advanced in your domain. Familiar in other areas of domain expertise in your team.
Understanding the Bigger Picture Have a solid understanding of the product strategy and can recommend solutions to critical issues.
People
Influence Peers (2-5)
Responsibility and Direction Needed Largerly self directed after work is assigned.
Communication Help team members get information they need to be successful. Be a go-to person for code review in your domain. Contribute to team discussions.
Team contributions "Go-to" person on the team. Improve team productivity. Interview candidates effectively.
Evaluation Manager

Staff Software Engineer (P4)
Time scope of technical accountability and planning horizon 2-3 months
Complexity scope you're expected to tackle Large, complex tasks with multiple components. Investigate and resolve areas of significant ambiguity. Identify the work and break down tasks contributing to team's objectives over the next 2-3 months.
Risk management Manage and mitigate technical risk concerning your project and the work required to achieve your team's objectives. Sequence deliverables to minimize risk.
Domain Expertise Expert in your domain of expertise. Starting to demonstrate architectural and systems thinking.
Understanding the Bigger Picture Can assess what work supports the product strategy and make insightful recommendations regarding priorities.
People
Influence Team (5-15)
Responsibility and Direction Needed Work is delegated and evaluated on 2-3 month timeframes. Lead team in delivery of work.
Communication Team members are better able to do their jobs as a result of your input, which you provide without being asked. Make technical contributions of the team more widely known.
Team contributions Project tech-lead is typical. Mentor others by stewarding some of your previous responsibilities to others. Collaborate with management on team consensus and direction.
Evaluation Manager, Director

Senior Staff Software Engineer (P5)
Time scope of technical accountability and planning horizon 3-6 months
Complexity scope you're expected to tackle Complex tasks spanning multiple domains and teams that have high impact on your project. Identify areas for improvement and their solutions.
Risk management Manage risk in collaborations with other teams.
Domain Expertise Company leader in your domain of expertise.
Understanding the Bigger Picture Work with management to turn product strategy into action.
People
Influence Extended team (15-50)
Responsibility and Direction Needed Provide direction in a large cross-functional team or multiple teams, and deliver work with infrequent regular oversight.
Communication Team members learn new skills with your help. Have a solid track record of written and oral technical communication.
Team contributions Have a history of mentorship, collaboration, and technical leadership. Recruit excellent diverse talent. Instrumental in improving team efficiency. Guide others in existing engineering culture.
Evaluation Manager, Director

...

Principle Engineer (P6)
Time scope of technical accountability and planning horizon 6-12 months
Complexity scope you're expected to tackle Seek to reduce complexity through architectural thinking. Handle multiple conflicting priorities.
Risk management Manage company-wide risks. Architect to reduce risk.
Domain Expertise Company leader in your domain of expertise. Quickly and easy obtain effective expertise within scope of influence.
Understanding the Bigger Picture Inform product strategy by helping senior leadership understand the organization's engineering capabilities.
People
Influence Organization (50+)
Responsibility and Direction Needed Own an entire multi-team program from inception through shipping code, without regular technical oversight.
Communication Lead and resolve company-wide technical discussions.
Team contributions Teach others to mentor. Suggest and implement improvements to engineering process, tooling, and IC culture.
Evaluation Director, VP

...

Distinguished Engineer (P7)
Time scope of technical accountability and planning horizon 1-2 years
Complexity scope you're expected to tackle Coordinate problem solving across multiple internal and external teams.
Risk management Identifies and mitigates industry-wide risks.
Domain Expertise Industry leader in your domain of expertise. Expert with at least one other. Familiar with domains across organization.
Understanding the Bigger Picture Lead product strategy discussions with senior management.
People
Influence Company (1000+)
Responsibility and Direction Needed Work with management to provide direction for the organization as a whole.
Communication Impact industry-wide discussions. Regulary advise SC/VP.
Team contributions Levels up senior technical personnel. Identifies critical skillsets and leads strategic recruiting. Improves team health and productivity. Responsible for engineering IC culture.
Evaluation Director, VP

...

Fellow (P8)
Time scope of technical accountability and planning horizon 3-5 years
Complexity scope you're expected to tackle Breaks new ground in several areas. Provides successful solutions in high risk situations.
Risk management Identifies and mitigates existensial risks to the company or industry.
Domain Expertise Recognized industry leader in multiple domains. Ability to have insights outside of core domains.
Understanding the Bigger Picture Have a role in defining the company's "bigger picture". Align engineering capabilities and product strategy on 3-5 year time frames.
People
Influence Industry (10 000)
Responsibility and Direction Needed Industry leader.
Communication Convence industry-wide discussions. Sit on SC/VP
Team contributions Demonstrated ability to level up others at most senior levels. Mentors across company and industry. Crafts engineering culture ahead of future demands.
Evaluation SC/VP

...

------

Extra info / Credits

  • "Mozilla's engineer track" (not sure if it's a legit track or just a false post in Twitter but I saw the value in it)
  • Some modifications based on personal experience working in IT field for a few years
  • When the new version of a certification or exam is available then the older one is ignored.

@TODO / Some of resources

Checked

Date Subject
2019-03-23 https://www.axelos.com/certifications (ITIL Foundation only!! TODO: others)
2019-02-01 ACT, Inc., College Board, Harcourt Assessment (a division of Pearson Education)
2019-01-29 Microsoft certificates and exams
2019-01-21 CompTIA certificates

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Step-by-step certification guide for people targeting career in IT

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