2020-2021 Course Catalog and Student Handbook 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2020-2021 Course Catalog and Student Handbook [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Data Center Specialist Certificate Program Fact Sheet


 

What is the Data Center Certificate? The Data Center Specialist certificate provides training in data center concepts, site layout, power distribution, HVAC concepts, cabling, infrastructure, security and installation/maintenance. Upon completion, a student will have the necessary skills to work in the data center environment. Students will also be eligible to apply and receive the PC Repair and Network Technician certificate.
Semester Program Begins Fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Application Process Applicants to the Networking Specialist program must meet all Admission requirements; complete an application and pay the application fee. Individuals apply to Gwinnett Technical College at GwinnettTech.edu and submit all transcripts from high school and previous college work, and take the ACCUPLACER test, if required.
Program Prerequisites Diploma level proficiency required to take CIST technical courses. Please refer to course descriptions in the online catalog for specific prerequisites.
CIST 1001  
Program Deadlines You may enter in the fall, spring or summer semesters.
Program Costs and Requirements Tuition and books
For more information, contact: Oenia Odums, program director, OOdums@GwinnettTech.edu, 678-226-6629.
For admission and enrollment, contact: Enrollment Support Center in Building 100 at the Lawrenceville campus, or Building A at the Alpharetta-North Fulton campus, or email CISTeam@GwinnettTech.edu.

Quick Facts

2017 Median pay           $37,040 - $52,160
Entry level education           Associate degree
Number of jobs, 2017           766,900
Job growth, 2017 - 2024           12%

Nature of the Work

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not offer nature of work information for workers with the exact title of PC maintenance technician; however, it does report nature of work information for computer support specialists. Professionals in these two positions perform similar duties and should be considered comparable. A data center technician is a skilled professional who supports a company’s data center. As a central IT resource, the data center often has its own designated personnel and processes for maintaining this specific operation within a tech infrastructure.

Work Environment

Most Data Center Specialists have full-time work schedules; however, many do not work typical 9-to-5 jobs. Because computer support is important for businesses, many support specialists must be available 24 hours a day. As a result, many support specialists must work nights or weekends.

Employment

Data center operations technician, data center operator, data center technician, data center assistant is projected to grow 12 percent from 2014 to 2024, faster than the average for all occupations. More support services will be needed as organizations upgrade their computer equipment and software.

Earnings

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not offer nature of work information for workers with the exact title of PC maintenance technician; however, it does report nature of work information for computer support specialists. Professionals in these two positions perform similar duties and should be considered comparable. The median annual wage for Data Center Specialists was $49,390 in May 2016.


Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2016-17 Edition, Information Security Analysts, on the Internet
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/computer-support-specialists.htm (visited April 29, 2016).

The Gwinnett Technical College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
Lisa Richardson, Section 504/ADA, Title IX and Equity Coordinator, Building 100, Room 708, 678.226.6691, LRichardson@GwinnettTech.edu