Operating Systems Training Courses

Operating systems training opens up a variety of IT career options, ranging from entry-level help desk jobs to more advanced roles as consultants or system architects. In a 2008 report, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that over half a million Americans worked as computer support specialists, often earning between $13 and $35 per hour. More sophisticated operating system certifications can help experienced IT professionals earn jobs as team leaders, managers, or system architects. The BLS estimates that another quarter-million workers fill these roles, often earning six-figure salaries.

AIX

IBM AIX training and certification offer a way to demonstrate expertise in the tech field and expand career options with UNIX systems.

AS400

AS400 courses and certifications, as part of IBM Power Systems training, could help energize a career in the information industry.

MAC OS X

Mac OS X training provides a behind-the-scenes view of the popular operating system. Find out how Mac OS X courses can boost support and integration skills for computer workers.

Microsoft Windows Server

Talented enterprise administrators are in high demand as the business world grows ever more dependent on ever more complex data networks. Microsoft Windows Server training can prepare students to succeed in the growing enterprise IT field.

Microsoft Windows

Countless professionals make use of PCs for everyday tasks. Microsoft Windows training can add efficiency and understanding, saving time and streamlining a user's computing workflow.

Career paths for operating systems professionals

According to Redmond Magazine editor-in-chief Doug Barney, the corporate world's embrace of cloud computing has already changed the requirements for many IT support jobs. Instead of requiring candidates to exhibit deep knowledge of a single operating system, many employers expect their support teams to understand many different platforms. With teams connected to "the cloud," employees can choose their own computers and mobile devices, instead of relying on a single set of requirements dictated by an IT department. Support technicians must prepare themselves to hash out conflicts between devices that don't normally play well together.

Meanwhile, larger companies with stronger security and privacy requirements have their own versions of the cloud, often combining off-the-shelf server solutions with customized software. Advanced operating systems training prepares IT teams to build advanced platforms for communications and customer service. The most highly sophisticated operating systems experts can qualify for a handful of jobs available at major software vendors, working on next-generation code.

Operating systems courses

Operating systems training programs keep pace with employers' demands by refocusing on broad troubleshooting and networking for entry-level professionals. Additionally, training programs can prepare IT professionals to sit for certification exams. Candidates for IT management and system architect positions often build on the foundations of "tier one" certifications by learning advanced functions and customizations. Some of the most popular operating system certifications include:

UNIX. This classic operating system forms the basis of many advanced platforms from vendors like Oracle and Apple. Popular for its integrity and security, UNIX attracts support professionals who like their hands on the core of any OS.
Linux. A popular open-source evolution of UNIX, Linux often shows up in workplaces as a free or cheap replacement for other server, desktop and embedded operating systems.
Red Hat Linux. By demystifying open-source operating systems, Red Hat carved out a niche for itself among corporate IT departments. The company's emphasis on support and certification assures company directors who might otherwise be nervous about using a "free" operating system.
AIX. IBM developed "Advanced Interactive Executive" as a version of UNIX to power its customers' workstations and office servers in the 1980s. Many large companies still rely on AIX systems developed during that era, making certification on this operating system necessary for some corporate IT teams.
Microsoft Windows. Most Americans think of Windows when they think about operating systems, so it's no surprise that many corporate IT jobs require at least a basic understanding of Microsoft's flagship OS.
Microsoft Windows Server. Running an office network under Windows Server requires even more targeted knowledge and experience. Therefore, many medium and large businesses require new IT hires to get certified on Windows Server before administering workgroups and SharePoint installations.
AS/400. IBM's popular server platform, now part of the "i Series," introduced "object-oriented" programming to many office networks. Familiarity with this OS also requires an understanding of the other platforms it supports, including AIX and UNIX.
Mac OS X. With booming consumer adoption of the Mac over the past decade, more Apple hardware has started showing up in office suites and boardrooms. The Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP) certification enables IT professionals to handle the most common troubleshooting and maintenance issues on the Mac OS.

In the information technology field, professional development doesn't end with a single OS certification. Because vendors constantly update their platforms with new features, functions and security tools, operating systems courses help IT workers stay current on the latest revisions. Some software vendors retire their certifications after a few years or after a major new release. Employers also set their own standards for maintaining current certifications, often covering the cost of operating system courses as part of an employee's benefits package.