A career boost, broader technical and IT industry
knowledge, and better understanding of IT jargon, have been
highlighted as benefits of professional qualifications by the
highest scorers in the latest round of BCS examinations, writes
John Kavanagh.
Well over 3,500 people sat professional exams from the BCS last
year. Other IT professional bodies also offer such qualifications.
Growing demand has led the BCS to introduce extra sittings for some
exam modules this October.
Project leader Barry Wheeldon, who got the highest marks at BCS
certificate level, says his aims were to widen his knowledge of
information systems generally, gain knowledge of various system
development techniques, understand the technology behind the
hardware, and explore concepts of IS management.
"Having worked in IT for four years, I found the exams the ideal
opportunity to explore areas of the industry that my practical
experience had not covered, while giving me the chance to gain
credibility as a professional and increase visibility at work,"
Wheeldon says.
Jeremy Fish, IT director at Misys IFA Services, got top marks at
diploma level, which is equivalent to an HND. "When I joined Misys
I was conscious of not having a formal technical qualification and
felt the BCS exams would help address this," he says.
"I see my role as being a bridge between the business and the
technology. The exam has considerably strengthened my technical
understanding, enabling me to work more closely with my technical
teams. The exams provide an excellent foundation for technicians
and managers alike."
The highest scorer in the professional graduate diploma category
was Sarah Ferebee, an IT consultant at Hampshire County
Council.
"I took the certificate and then the diploma because I wanted to
get a broad knowledge of the IT industry," she says.
"The certificate is a good general qualification for when you start
in the industry and need help understanding what IT roles exist and
what different branches of the industry do. It also helps you to
get to grips with the jargon. The diploma built on what I had
learnt."
BCS exams
- The certificate is considered equivalent to the first year of a
higher national diploma
- The diploma is examined at an academic level equivalent to an
HND
- The professional graduate diploma is examined to the academic
level of a university honours degree.
Full information on BCS professional exams is available via
www.bcs.org