UP
FRONT in conversation with Max Haroon
A meeting place for Web workers
For the past 25 years, Max Haroon has worked in various sectors
of the IT industry as, among others, a systems analyst, project
leader, business consultant and entrepreneur. He is the founder
and president of the Society of Internet Professionals (SIP).
htc: What is SIP?
MH: SIP is a not-for-profit organization whose mandate is to
standardize certification for Internet workers and to enhance professionalism.
SIP has undertaken two major initiatives: one is the establishment
of SIP-U, an online offering of professional development courses
over the Internet; and the second is the development of certification
curriculum for the Certified Internet Professionals (CIP) designation.
htc: When did you first decide there was a need for an organization
like SIP?
MH: It was back in 1996 when the Internet was exploding, transforming
itself into the media we know today. Businesses realized they had
to have a Web site and were looking for Internet professionals,
so a demand was created. The problem was not enough skilled people
were available and companies didn’t know if a person applying for
a job had the right credentials. I felt there was a need for an
organization which could give a standard certification, not only
for the employers, but also the Internet professionals themselves.
htc: When was SIP actually launched?
MH: The first inaugural meeting took place in Toronto in March,
1997. We had over 60 people show up. It was encouraging, and everyone
felt there was a need for this type of organization here in Canada.
htc: Were there any other
certification courses available at the time?
MH: At the time there may have been some courses offered, but
there was no standard in the industry. We established five different
CIP categories such as Web master, systems administrator, etc. Out
of those we developed the CIP designation for Web masters in 1999,
and we invited institutions to offer our courses.
htc: Has the industry embraced SIP certifications?
MH: When they find out about SIP, the response is positive.
But like any non-profit organization we don’t have the funds for
marketing and promotion. We don’t have full-time
people working in the organization, they’re all volunteers. So getting
the word out is sometimes
difficult.
htc: Can any
organization or
educational institution offer a SIP certification course?
MH: Any organization wishing to offer a certification course
has to apply to become an accredited training centre. They can charge
people whatever they like, that has nothing to do with SIP. Just
like Microsoft certification courses, where Microsoft doesn’t charge
for the courses, it’s the organizations or educational institutions
that set fees for the courses. SIP doesn’t actually offer any courses
itself.
htc: Can anyone working the Web become a member of SIP?
MH: Anyone working in the Internet industry, like Web masters,
can apply for a CIP designation and become an associate member of
SIP. We have various membership categories. For a one-time only
fee of $100 individuals can become associate members. We also have
student memberships for $25 a year. And corporations or associations
can also become members.
htc: What are the benefits of
membership?
Along with CIP certification, we offer 350 online training courses
through our Web site www.sipgroup.org. Individuals can take courses
relating to Internet technology, or many other HiTech courses to
help them facilitate career change or professional development.
Membership also entitles them to discounts on book purchases and
group insurance. They can also network with other members at monthly
meetings and annual conferences. And we send all our members a newsletter
each month updating them on recent developments and news about the
industry. SIP also provides free Internet access, low-cost hosting
and help with collaborative projects and ventures.
htc: How many chapters does SIP have?
Right now we’ve established chapters in Ottawa, Toronto, and we’re
opening one soon in Vancouver. Outside Canada, we have a chapter
in Florida and one in Victoria, Australia. Each chapter holds monthly
meetings, and we have an annual conference — it’s what I call a
networking party — where we invite various vendors to display their
products or services. It’s like a trade show, but it includes dinner
and presentations.
htc: What are some of the major issues raised by members of SIP?
MH: A big issue at the moment is that SIP isn’t as visible
as it should be. As a non-profit organization we don’t receive any
government grants, so we don’t really have much in the way of financial
resources. We don’t even have a full-time executive director. However,
there’s a company willing to sponsor someone to fill that position.
Once we have a full-time executive director, he or she will be able
to resolve many of the issues affecting the growth of the organization.
We also need an active co-ordinator to open and guide new chapters
across the country.
htc: What are the ongoing
objectives of SIP?
MH: To facilitate professional development and learning; to
provide a forum for business and networking opportunities; to keep
members abreast of developments in Internet technology; to form
a talented network of professionals intent on collective success
and to standardize professional accreditation or certification.
Additionally, we want our Web site to become an interactive portal
for Web professionals, where people can search for information on
everything from training courses to articles related to their jobs.
Members can also post their resumes or available job positions on
the site.
htc: If any of our readers are
interested in SIP, how can they find out more?
MH: They can visit our Web site, or contact me directly at
founder@sipgroup.org
If they would like to find out about upcoming meetings, they can
send a blank e-mail to mail@sipgroup.org
and it will automatically add them to our announcements list.
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