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| 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. |
| Length of Program |
3 semesters minimum. |
| 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).
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