Become a Subject Matter Expert for Certifications

Every industry has its acronyms – those abbreviations that people who are waist deep in the trenches throw around with the assumption that everyone understands.  The certification industry is no different.  

When I started in this business many years ago, I remember people throwing around letters and that I had no idea what anyone was talking about.  Fast forward several years and now I am one of those people happily swimming in alphabet soup. Recently I said to an IT Security professional, “Do you want to be a SME for CompTIA during the JTA for the new CASP.”  My invitation met with a blank stare and followed by, “What is a SME and why would I want to be one?” 

It never occurred to me that I was talking in code.  Subject Matter Experts or “SMEs” (sometimes the acronym "SME" is spelled out  as in "S-M-E" but most of the time you will hear it said as a word "Smee") are the industry experts we rely on to determine the content for our certification exams. These IT professionals provide the objectives and blueprint for our exams through a job task analysis (JTA.)  SMEs also work with peers and our CompTIA staff to create and review items associated with the technologies, knowledge sets and best practices in the IT industry.   

So that answers the “what”, but how about the “why”.  SMEs come together for exam development workshops at our new headquarters in Downers Grove, Ill.    Our SMEs are paid a stipend of $300 a day and most meals are provided.  During breaks, we have been known to host some pretty competitive Wii tournaments as well.  If that is not enough, it also provides the opportunity to network with fellow IT professionals and to be a part of shaping the IT industry.

So there you have it.  I hope I have demystified at least some of our acronyms.  Are you ready to become a SME?  We’re recruiting for numerous certifications. You can apply online. CompTIA SMEs are the best of the best, and we hope to see you all soon in Downers Grove.