The field of information technology (IT) is a fast-paced and rewarding one. However, as the industry evolves, so do the abilities that IT workers need to be relevant in their area. In order to stay current and competitive in today’s world, people must embrace a mindset of continuous learning and education. IT offers some of the best opportunities for success because it is the fastest expanding industry on the market. The information technology business has grown by approximately $600 billion during the last few years. Investment in the industry was over $2.08 trillion in 2014, and it was over $2.64 trillion in 2019.
Anyone with an IT certification can use their skills and expertise to further their career, especially those who want to work as a certified associate or advance to a position as an information systems auditor or certified information systems security professional. There are numerous job options to select from, and determining which one is the greatest fit can be difficult.
Self-taught experts, on the other hand, have a much lower likelihood of being hired or promoted than qualified professionals. After all, an IT certification verifies a person’s abilities and boosts their credibility in the eyes of potential employers. To that end, we’ve compiled a basic advice on how to select the best IT certification program for your requirements.
Why Should You Think About Getting a Certification in Information Technology?
According to CompTIA, roughly 91 percent of businesses consider IT certifications to be a “reliable predictor of a successful employee” when making hiring decisions. As a result, up to 72 percent of companies will require an IT certification for specific job opportunities, 67 percent will use it to assess a candidate’s work ethic and resolve, and 60 percent will use it to verify a candidate’s skills.
Most businesses think that certified experts are the best candidates for the position. In fact, 95% of them believe certificates give a baseline of set knowledge for specific roles, 92 percent believe they provide credibility, and 91% believe they save time and money when screening individuals. Furthermore, approximately 92 percent of businesses stated that qualified individuals will receive higher starting salary and will learn faster on the job.
Getting hired, on the other hand, is only the first step in a career in IT. Certifications, fortunately, will provide you with further benefits in addition to this first stage. We can mention the following as examples:
Continuous Relevance – Continuing education is critical in any industry, but it is more true in IT. Certifications, as previously stated, will ensure that you remain relevant in the eyes of your company.
More Promotion Opportunities – IT credentials will assist you in achieving your goals, whether you are seeking for a new position inside the firm, moving up through promotions, or changing companies entirely. Unlike those who don’t, your knowledge can be applied immediately in your new position, giving you a competitive advantage.
Investing in Yourself — Enrolling in a certification program shows employers that you are not just dedicated to your work, but also that you are a lifelong learner who is always striving to improve. New knowledge is never a waste of money, especially in our industry, because you never know when it will come in handy.
Selecting the Most Appropriate Certification for You
You will be in a better position to choose a path that best suits your needs now that you have a greater grasp of the significance of IT certifications. It’s not a good idea to rush this decision, even if it appears simple at first. Before you make your decision, you should ask yourself a few questions.
What Do You Hope to Achieve?
Are you interested in becoming a DevOps engineer, a cloud architect, a certified solutions architect, a security engineer, or a certified information systems auditor? Perhaps you want to be a certified information security manager (CISM) or a certified associate in project management (CAPM) (CAPM).
IT certification is beneficial to professionals who want to grow in their jobs for a variety of reasons. Some people will do it for the money alone, as the IT industry is recognized for paying well above average. Others do it for the employment security it provides, given the industry’s severe dearth of competent workers. Of course, there are others who are already working in the sector and want to improve or switch careers, such as from network professional to system security specialist. Whatever the case may be, you must ensure that you do not begin assessing your options before you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve.
If you want to work in the business, you should look at entry-level certifications like the basic Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification, CompTIA A+, or Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA). If you want to become a subject matter expert, on the other hand, you should get certified in new or recently updated technologies. This route, on the other hand, should only be taken by people who have some prior experience in the field.
It’s always a good idea to update your existing tech skills in cloud computing, networking, or security, for example, if you want to further your profession. If you want to apply for more advanced and higher-paying positions, you’ll almost always need further certifications in your area. Just make sure that your option is in line with your objectives. It never hurts to inquire about the abilities required for such occupations from individuals in those positions.
What are your passions?
It’s just as critical, if not more important, to make sure you’re passionate about what you’re doing. You still want something where you will pay attention and truly learn something, as beneficial as these certificates are in terms of your professional chances. “Genius is one percent talent and 99 percent hard work,” Albert Einstein famously observed. To put it another way, if you want to be excellent at something, you must put in the time. However, if you don’t enjoy what you’re doing, the long hours will become a chore, and you won’t be able to keep it up for very long.
Choose a certification that will keep you interested in the long run. If you’re just starting out, look for anything that will teach you the fundamentals of the industry. CompTIA IT Fundamentals, for example, will teach you the fundamentals of hardware components and how they interact. Cisco, like other vendor-neutral certification providers, offers a number of entry-level certifications in networking, cloud computing, and information security management.
Another piece of advise is to obtain as many certificates as possible in the field in which you are particularly interested. It also doesn’t hurt to branch out now and then, as having more knowledge can assist you in the long run.
In-Demand IT Certifications: What Are They?
There are numerous certifications that are currently in great demand, depending on what you have selected as your primary interest in the field of IT and your level of knowledge. We can mention the following as examples:
Microsoft Certifications – Obtaining a Microsoft certification can provide you with a plethora of job opportunities. With Microsoft controlling over 82 percent of the OS market today, there’s no doubting that having a Microsoft certification will make you a valuable asset to most organisations. The Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certification is a good choice for an entry-level professional because it covers the basics of operating systems, networking, and security. The Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) in Server Infrastructure, Private Cloud Platform and Infrastructure, or Application Lifecycle Management is a more advanced Microsoft certification.
Certifications for Linux – Linux, as an open-source operating system, is running all of the world’s supercomputers, 90% of cloud infrastructure, and practically all of the top 1 million servers throughout the world, while having a fraction of Microsoft’s market share. Many government agencies and huge corporations use it as well. Linux certifications can help you work as a Systems Administrator, Server Administrator, or Network Engineer, for example. We can include the following certificates among these.
Professional Development Certificate in Linux Essentials
- Linux Administrator (LPIC-1)
- Linux Engineer (LPIC-2)
- LPIC-3 300: Linux Enterprise Professional – Mixed Environment LPIC-3 300: Linux Enterprise Professional – Mixed Environment LPIC-3 300: Linux
- LPIC-3 303: Linux Enterprise Professional – Security LPIC-3 303: Linux Enterprise Professional – Security LPIC-3 303:
- LPIC-3 304: Linux Enterprise Professional – Virtualization & High Availability LPIC-3 304: Linux Enterprise Professional – Virtualization & High Availability
- Cisco Credentials — Cisco is another another outstanding provider of high-paying IT certifications aimed at both experienced Network Engineers and those just starting out in the field. The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) are two of the most in-demand Cisco certifications (CCNP).
- CompTIA Certifications – Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) offers a fantastic certification program as a vendor-neutral certification provider. CompTIA A+, CompTIA Server +, CompTIA Network +, CompTIA Security +, and CySA+ are some of the most well-known CompTIA certifications.
- Certifications from the EC-Council – The EC-Certified Council’s Ethical Hacker (CEH) certification is aimed for professionals in charge of data and/or network security, such as website administrators, security consultants, security auditors, and others.