Information technology (IT) is a fast-paced industry with numerous opportunities for advancement. The IT market surpassed $2.461 billion in 2019. Few, if any, markets are growing as quickly as information technology. And, as the industry evolves and changes, new types of certifications emerge on the market.
With so many specializations, certifications, career paths, and providers available, it’s nearly impossible for someone in the IT industry to be unemployed or underemployed. IT is an excellent place to begin a career or change careers.
However, it can be difficult to understand why you should become IT certified. This is why we’ve put together this list.
1. Numerous Certification Options
Regardless of where you are now, the IT industry offers a plethora of certification opportunities. Whether you’re just getting started and don’t consider yourself particularly tech-savvy, or you want to advance, there are numerous options to consider.
Basic certifications like CompTIA A+, Microsoft Certified Professional, Cisco’s CCNA, or Linux Essentials, among others, will help entry-level candidates land jobs in fields like Operating Systems, Computer Networks Administration, Systems Administration, Help Desk Support, and much more. EC-Council certifications, for example, will help certified professionals advance to become Ethical Hackers.
2. Employment Opportunities
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment in IT is expected to grow by 12% between 2018 and 2028. That equates to approximately 546,200 new jobs projected to be available across the country, which is significantly more than the national average for all occupations. This means that if you choose this career path, there is a very small chance that you will not be able to find work.
3. Competitive Salaries
In terms of pay, the computer and information technology industries will more than compensate for the time and resources you invested in the beginning. To put things into perspective, the average annual wage in the United States for all occupations is $38,640. IT, on the other hand, costs a hefty $86,320. Furthermore, statistics show that people with certificates earn 13.7 percent more than their non-certified counterparts.
4. Increased Flexibility and Time Management
Given the massive talent gap in the IT industry, it is entirely possible for someone to land a job in the field without a certificate or degree if they have the necessary skills and experience. There are many self-taught IT professionals in the world.
The problem is that it often takes years to teach yourself these skills, which most people lack. Most self-taught professionals began learning in their early teens, whereas an IT certificate can be obtained in a matter of months. You will also have more flexibility with an online course, allowing you to plan your learning around your existing schedule.
5. Simple Access to Resources
Going down the certification route will also provide you with access to resources that you would not have had otherwise. Depending on the organisation through which you obtain your certificates, you may have access to online forums, training and learning materials, networking opportunities, and job placement.
6. Validation and Credibility
Another significant advantage of IT certifications is that they provide you with credibility. Your certificates will serve as evidence of your skills and proficiency in your field, validating your skill set for others to see. Certificates will boost your professional credibility by 95.4 percent and validate specialized knowledge by 97.9 percent, according to statistics.
7. Increased Marketability
Certificates demonstrate the applicant’s drive to succeed as well as their dedication to the profession to hiring managers. Similarly, it validates their knowledge and abilities during the interview process.
Certain certifications are required in specific fields when advancing in your career. As a result, having the right certificate can mean the difference between landing your job and being passed over by those who don’t.
8. Justifying Your Expenses
Technical certifications, like the point made above, will help you justify your costs to your employers or clients. Assume you are a freelance IT professional who is about to complete a transaction with a client.
That person will be more willing to work with you, even if you charge more than a self-taught person. By displaying your certificates, you are assisting them in making a decision in your favor. Similarly, certificates can help you advance faster than someone who does not have them.
9. Personal and Professional Growth
Certifications can help you advance in your personal and professional development. As previously stated, IT is a dynamic field in which new technologies are introduced on a regular basis. Earning certificates will keep you up to date on these developments, keeping your skills current and relevant.
Certification training can help you cover new technical areas while also reinforcing existing skills. Furthermore, certifications can help you network with other professionals in your field.
This is especially beneficial because networking is at the heart of almost every successful career. As a result, the people you meet during your training or at a technical conference may end up endorsing you or assisting you in landing your next job.
10. Booster of Confidence
There’s also something to be said for the sense of accomplishment and boost in confidence that comes with passing the exams and becoming certified. When people take their certification exams and know they have something to prove their skills, their personal confidence levels increase by 88.2 percent. And, as many of us are aware, self-assurance often leads to success.