In the world of campus IT hiring, think of certifications as the equivalent of the SATs. They're just one component of the overall application, along with the interview, past performance, and references. If the candidate is accomplished and well rounded, the SATs--or certifications--can be more of a checklist item. Otherwise, they may make the difference between acceptance and rejection. The comparison ends there, however. While the SATs are irrelevant outside the college admissions process, many IT professionals believe certification can play a second, key role once the hiring process is over--in developing employee skills, helping employees identify a career path, and allowing them to connect with their peers. Not all certifications are created equal, however. As IT trends in higher education shift, some certifications have lost their relevance. This explains why pay and market demand for most IT certifications have been decreasing in recent years. In the shifting realm of campus IT, networking and security are the two areas where certifications currently are most likely to be job requirements. Experience with web 2.0 and social media tools is also increasingly a plus. Almost every IT leader acknowledges that certifications--regardless of their relevance in today's market--have their limitations. As IT becomes increasingly integrated into departments across campus, organizations are looking for skills that go beyond the purely technical. IT professionals now can expect to work in specific areas such as finance, logistics, or human resources. Their experience in these arenas is often more critical to the job than their technical skills. It is the ability to meld technical know-how with real-world savoir-faire that employers want. (Contains 12 online resources.)