Educational and Professional Opportunities Scroll to begin 6.2.1 Communities of Interest A community of interest is a group of people who share a common interest or passion about a specific topic. These people get together to share information and ideas about this topic. This shared interest allows the group to develop into a true community. Members of these communities are extremely knowledgeable and passionate about the topic being discussed and are willing to share their knowledge with other community members. This makes the community an excellent resource for the development of the area of interest. The internet allows these communities to exist virtually and span several geographic areas and time zones. Members can share files and technology in real time. Several IoT communities exist. The IEEE runs an IoT community, as does LinkedIn. Many other technology-related organizations have IoT interest groups. The IoT World Today site and email list is an outlet for IoT related news and developments. To better understand the ever-developing world of IoT technologies, subscribe to an IoT news resource to view daily developments. Some communities are supported by industry and provide a place to help development of their products and technology, as well as those of their business partners. Two such communities provided by Cisco are the Cisco Learning Network and Cisco DevNet. The Cisco Learning Network is a collection of resources, information, and discussion forums. It is designed for people who wish to develop their skills in various Cisco technologies and pursue Cisco certification. To see what the Cisco Learning Network has to offer and to become a member, visit their website at learningnetwork.cisco.com. DevNet is a Developer Program from Cisco that consists of a website, an interactive developer community, coordinated developer tools, integrated discussion forums, and sandboxes. To learn more about what DevNet offers visit their website at developer.cisco.com. Search the internet to see some of the ways people are using the resources provided by DevNet in the development of IoT technology. 6.2.2 Industry Certifications Industry certifications are highly respected by employers around the world and help validate the skills needed to launch successful careers in networking and IT. Certifications are achieved by passing an exam proctored by a certifying authority. Students must complete training materials specific to the certification exam. Field experience is often very helpful, but not always required, to pass a certification exam. There are two basic types of certifications available: vendor-specific and vendor-neutral. Vendor-specific certifications are tailored to technologies offered by a company to prove that an individual is qualified to deploy and manage that technology. Vendor-neutral certifications are offered by many different organizations. They show that an individual has a well-rounded skillset centered on common systems and programs, rather than specific brands of technology. Vendor-specific courses are available that prepare students for Cisco industry certifications. For example, training and other certification resources are available from the Cisco Learning Network. Cisco certifications that are relevant to the IoT are the following: Networking - The Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA) certification tests a candidate's knowledge and skills related to network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability. Security - The Cisco Certified CyberOps Associate (CBROPS) certification tests skills and knowledge in security concepts, security monitoring, host-based analysis, network intrusion analysis, and security policies and procedures. Automation - The Cisco Certified DevNet Associate (DEVASC) certification assesses skills and knowledge in understanding and using APIs, Cisco platforms and development, application development and security, and infrastructure and automation. Most often, certifications must be renewed over time. Requirements for re-certification may be earning continuing education units (CEUs), passing a re-certification exam, or both. CEUs can be earned by attending classes, professional membership, on-the-job experience, or research and publishing of materials that support the certification technology. To explore all of the different Cisco career certifications, click here. 6.2.3 Additional Learning Opportunities Certifications can show an employer that an individual has the appropriate skills for a job. Community college or university degrees can show that a person has gained a broad understanding in a field of study. This broad understanding creates a solid foundation for emerging career opportunities in the IoT. A combination of industry certifications and university degrees provides a student with the best background, experience, and education to pursue a career with greater opportunities and higher salary. When looking for a degree to pursue at a community college or university that will pertain to the skillsets needed for a career in the IoT, watch for some of the following degrees: Business Intelligence Computer Information Systems Computer Programming Computer Science Database Administration Electromechanical Automation Electronics Engineering Linux Networking Machining Network Administration System Analysis Web Server Administrator This is not an exhaustive list. Even traditional degree programs such as supply chain management, business, and project management are helpful for careers in IoT. Computer-Aided Design (CAD), drafting, math, and physics are applicable and show a diverse education, which is perfect for an IoT career.