UTAH TECH WATCH - - by David Politis - - 5/24-27/96 Edition

Although Ryan Andersen just graduated from high school on Friday, he could
be earning up to $35,000 a year starting Monday.

That's because Ryan recently passed Novell's technical certification test
to become a Certified Novell Administrator. And depending upon certain
factors, entry-level CNAs have starting salaries in Utah ranging from
$20,000 to $35,000 per year.

According to his mother, Ryan exhibited his initial interest in computers
when his father purchased his first computer some 12 years ago.

With instructions and input from his father, an older brother and an older
cousin, Ryan's love for computers grew. By the time he reached high
school, Ryan's involvement with computers had grown to the point that he
helped found the Orem High School networking club, known as Tiger
Networking Inc.

Novell education program

As a way to help it meet the projected demand for trained networking
engineers, Novell began its Novell Education Academic Partner (NEAP)
program in 1992.

Under NEAP, Novell now has training programs in place at more than 150
colleges, universities and trade schools worldwide.

This February, Novell formally introduced its new NEAP program targeting
secondary schools. Through NEAP-Secondary, Novell hopes to assist
educators in realizing "the full educational potential of a school's
computer system, making the computer and computer technology an integral
part of the curriculum rather than simply an add-on' tool to assist with
lessons in other subjects."

According to Carolyn Rose, senior vice president/general manager of Novell
education, "Novell is pioneering a whole new approach to IT (information
technology) training in high schools."

Dr. Scott Bean, Utah state superintendent of public instruction, agrees.

"No other school-to-career program gives the future career opportunity that
the NEAP-Secondary program offers," Dr. Bean said.

This Fall 18 Utah schools will implement the NEAP-Secondary program. Dr.
Bean expects that number to double the following year, with all interested
high schools in the state participating in the program within three
years.

Projected job demand

According to Money magazine, three of the "top 10 careers" listed in its
"Money Forecast '96" are networking-technology related.

Since beginning its CNA and CNE (Certified NetWare Engineer) programs,
Novell has seen the number of individuals trained and certified to run or
work on Novell networks rise dramatically.

Today there are more than 80,000 CNEs worldwide, with nearly 100,000 CNAs
around the globe.

Seventeen-year-old Ryan Andersen is now completing the second quarter of an
internship at Novell, where he works in the Super Lab helping to maintain
1,200 networked computers.

Andersen began his CNA training in 1994 and completed his studies in early
1996 under the auspices of a local Novell internship that was a
predecessor to the NEAP-Secondary program.

Upon completing his self-training earlier this year, and passing his CNA
examination, Andersen became the first high school student in Utah to
become CNA certified.

With his CNA certification, Andersen will be recognized globally as having
demonstrated an ability to maintain a Novell network on a day-to-day
basis.

"This program provides a pipeline for students to get the training,
resources and industry certifications early enough to compete in today's
job market and gain access to well-paying careers," said Dr. Bean.

According to studies conducted during the past four years by the Utah
Information Technologies Association, one of the biggest challenges facing
the state's IT companies is finding enough qualified job candidates.

Individuals that complete industry certification programs typically have
greater luck in the job market in landing jobs, and do so typically at
higher salaries than those without certification.

A certified network administrator or engineer can easily earn $35,000 to
$50,000 per year. And for those interested in embarking upon a career
involving the Internet as a "Web Master" or a Web site designer, salaries
of $80,000 and more are not uncommon.

But for now, Ryan Andersen is not focused on making the big bucks. He's
planning on attending Ricks College in Rexburg, Idaho this Fall, with
visions of volunteering for service as a full-time missionary for the
Mormon Church the following year.

And with luck, some part-time work somewhere as a CNA will help pay for his
mission expenses.

A marketing communications consultant that specializes in high-tech and
life sciences clients, David Politis welcomes column ideas at 801-569-2592
or via the Internet at dpolitis@politis.com.
 
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