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Storage Managers Valued Amidst Data Explosion: Page 3 of 4

There are a number of options available for users looking to boost their storage credentials. Vendor-specific certification programs from companies like EMC and NetApp, for example, offer proof of expertise in designing, administrating, implementing, and supporting these suppliers' specific data storage systems.

Some of the larger vendors also offer certification that encompasses multiple products, though this is a fairly new trend.

In addition, users looking for certifications that are not tied to one company’s products can look to professional organizations like the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA), which has a certification program focused on generalized skills, rather than on specific product expertise.

As Forrester’s research suggests, the upper echelons of storage can indeed be a lucrative place to work, and users’ earning power can be boosted by specific qualifications. One study conducted by Certification Magazine late last year, for example, found that storage professionals with certifications saw a substantial average salary bump. According to the respondents, average salaries jumped about 8 percent after certification between 2006 and 2007. Storage managers showed an average salary for 2006 of $68,820; in 2007, those that were certified saw their average salary jump to $74,730.

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