Good Foundations

Who doesn’t like spring? New life is everywhere. Flowers are blooming, days are longer, soccer season is underway (the under-13-year-old teams I coach are tanned, rested, and ready!), and my Warriors are, as usual, poised to win it all. Even my Los Angeles Angels look like they are going to be pennant contenders — thank you Shohei Ohtani!

Spring is also a great time for new construction. This year, my wife and I are having a long-overdue and much needed addition put on out house. We have a great contractor who is ahead of schedule and on budget — two things for which contractors are rarely known.

What I really like about my guy is that he takes the time to explain each step of the construction. One aspect of the project that I find interesting is the foundation, the cement part that is poured before anything else happens. Most people don’t pay much attention to a foundation, seeing it as just the “cement that holds up the house.” But, foundations are a lot more than that. A foundation plays three crucial roles in a structure:

• It supports the load of the entire structure
• It protects the structure during nature’s upheavals like earthquakes, floods and, strong winds
• It keeps moisture from seeping in and weakening the structure

Whatever structure one is building, it’s a good idea to make sure it rests on a solid foundation. Looking at the foundation being poured, I couldn’t help but think of how the principles of a strong foundation apply to an IT career. A rewarding and lasting IT career is built on a skill set that is comprehensive, current, and capable.

• A comprehensive skill set means you thoroughly understand the domain in which you work.
• A current skill set includes the general knowledge of the systems with which you work as well as knowledge of new developments
• A capable skill set means you know more than just memorized facts regarding your domain — you’re able to do the work that needs doing.

Life is often challenging and having a strong IT foundation can really help you weather its ups and downs. The foundation supports your entire career, makes it so you’re more likely to remain employed when the vicissitudes of business happen, and can keep boredom from seeping into your job. Just as the foundation protects our home and lets us enjoy it for years to come, so too will a solid IT foundation positively impact your whole life.

The best way to build your IT foundation is with certifications. According to the computer industry trade association, CompTIA, certified professionals find it easier to land a solid position at a salary that is higher than average. Additionally, certifications not only validate your knowledge and skills, but show your dedication to your career.

If you’re still in school, start pouring your IT foundation today with TestOut training. If you’re already working in IT, keep strengthening your IT foundation with TestOut training. We provide an end-to-end solution, including training, assessments, and certification. Our innovative and integrated approach is used throughout each course, and our hands-on assessment tools help you know when you’re ready to take the exam. TestOut courseware is a cost-effective way to build a foundation for a lasting and rewarding career.

About the Author — Kyle Orton is a sales account manager for TestOut Corporation. He has a business management degree with an emphasis in marketing from Brigham Young University. He is married to Jill Orton, the love of his life, and they have five children. If Kyle could have dinner with with any five current Warriors players four of them would be Steph Curry, and the fifth would also be Steph Curry. Kevin Durant would be the honorary sixth man, but he would have to sit at the folding table in the TV room with Kyle's kids and Klay Thompson. Draymond Green didn’t even get told about the party, much less invited to it, and Nick Young and Zaza Pachulia are like, “Where did Steph go? Anyone know what happened to Steph? Guys? Man, nobody ever tells us anything.”