So, tomorrow I will begin my Apple Certification process. I’m pretty excited and kind of nervous. I just don’t know what to expect. I’m sure I have the aptitude for it. I just don’t like unfamiliar situations.

For the next three days, I’ll be in Santa Ana taking the “Leopard 101” intensive class. This class covers the basics and troubleshooting for the latest client version of Apple’s OS X operating system. Once I pass the certification test, I will be an Apple Certified Support Professional (ACSP). This is the first level of certification.

The next level is to become certified in Apple’s Leopard Server product, and you become an Apple Certified Technical Coordinator (ACTC). The final level requires three more classes and three more tests: Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA). This final level is intended for "full-time professional administrators and engineers who manage medium-to-large networks of systems in complex multiplatform deployments." The final level is a bit of a beast. Once I’m done, I will have attended 19 days of instruction and taken 5 exams.

I know that after this process is complete my value as an employee and the potential for extra income will increase exponentially. STR will have quite a deal with me on their salaried staff, and, since I love working there, I won’t be leaving anytime soon, and it will greatly increase my ability to administer STR’s network. STR is pretty much an Apple house now, and I’m sometimes shooting in dark when I’m trying to fix things. I’m also hopeful that this will open up some more opportunities for some additional work outside of STR.

Before you jump to remind me about Apple’s market share relative to Microsoft, I advise you to just visit a college campus anywhere in the US. Apple products have completely dominated education, which I believe will lead to an “aging” effect as these users enter the workforce, and while many PC manufacturers are experiencing poor sales due to the economy, Apple’s sales of personal computers have only grown. Consumers are looking for an alternative to Windows. I know that Apple will never replace Windows, but it certainly has found a growing market that shows no signs of slowing.

Keep me in your prayers. I have been pretty comfortable for a while. I’ve stretched myself at STR, but that’s a relatively safe environment in which to learn and try new things. This is pretty ambitious for me. I’ve got another kid on the way, and our financial needs will be increasing. I really want to do this right.

In the near future if you ask me any questions about your Mac, iPod or iPhone, you’ll be receiving an invoice in the mail...