Reap Resume Rewards —_ poo CompTIA ram (E2C) Education toCareers” Prog College- and career-bound high school students got a leg up on the competition with computerindustry certifications. (NAPSA)—High school students are proudly adding industry-recognized computer credentials to their resumes and positioning themselves for college and future careers. Eleven juniors and seniors at Oakville High School passed the CompTIA A+ computer service and support certification and were honored by their high school at a have since been hired by Comp USAbecause of their CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications. Many other businesses preferen- Academy at Oakville High and Melville High, in St. Louis, Missouri. Now enrolled in the Comp- interns in the summer. After hear- mini commencement exercise for the new Information Technology TIA Network+” course, these stu- dents plan to use their skills to help support themselves in college. “This is quite an accomplishment for these students,” said Tracy Gibson, high school technology instructor. “They chose to go the extra mile and took the industry exam in their own time at the local testing center even though it was not a requirement for high school graduation. They all passed with flying colors. Their success is testament to their enthusiasm and commitment to the program, and to the encouragement they received from their families. I’m really proud of each of them.” Three of Gibson’s students tially hire, recommend or require their employees to hold a CompTIA A+ certification, including IBM, Best Buy, Compaq, CompuCom, Radio Shack, Ricoh, Sears, State Farm and Xerox. Another computer companyis working with the high school to find certified students to work as ing about the students’ success, the company president contacted the school and is reviewing resumes. With increasing competition for jobs andfor college entrance, and with a growing reliance on technology in all fields, computer savvy is key for many high school graduates. An increasing number of colleges give course credit for certifications, such as those offered by CompTIA (www.comptia.org). “The technical computercertifications these students earned give them a tremendous leg up on the competition as they pursue further education and job applications,” said Gibson. “Their certifi- cations set them apart from the crowd in an increasingly competitive hiring environment.”
