I am often asked, are certifications worth it? My answer is yes, as long as you identify the certification in your career path. Certifications are not a replacement for experience, but they can be an asset, especially for those who are new to the IT field.
The tech industry is constantly evolving, so I make ongoing learning a habit. I love learning tech, its just fun to me, but I don’t pay for certification for all the areas of tech that interest me. Certifications can be expensive!
Certifications demonstrate to employers that you have the knowledge and skills necessary for a specific IT role. They can be more powerful than simply listing skills on your resume. The IT job market can be competitive, certifications can help you stand out from other applicants.
Many employers consider certifications when making promotion decisions. Earning relevant certifications shows your commitment to professional development and your desire to take on more responsibility.
When you know the direction you want to take in your career, find the certifications that can make a difference in how quickly you can achieve the position you desire. Those are the certifications you want to obtain. Specialize in a specific technology, move into management, or another area – target relevant certifications.
So how did you identify the certifications to take? Look at job postings for the career you want. Does the employer ask for certifications? If so, pursue the certifications that are most commonly requested in job postings. Network, network, network! Find an online or local group of IT professionals. Visit with them and find out what certifications they suggest for the position you are working toward.
There are a lot of established certification bodies nowadays, be certain you find a certification that is recognized in the IT career field. CompTIA, (ISC)², EC-Council, Microsoft, Amazon Web Services (AWS) are all widely recognized. Studies have shown that IT professionals with certifications tend to earn more than those without.
Here are a few ideas:
Certifications that help start a career in IT
Help Desk Support Specialist: CompTIA A+, Google IT Support Professional
Computer Technicians: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+
Network Technician: CompTIA Network+ , CCNA
Advancing your career
System Administrator: Microsoft MCSA, Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) , CCNA
Cloud Support Specialist: CompTIA Cloud+, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Azure Administrator
Security Analyst: CompTIA Security+, (ISC)² Certified Secure Incident Analyst (CISSP)
Cybersecurity: CompTIA Security+, (ISC)² Certified Secure Incident Analyst (CISSP)
Bottom line is that if you are, or want to be in the tech field you better love tech. There is always something new out there that you need to learn, and they may come out with something tomorrow that makes what you know today obsolete!
Talk to you next week,
Mike
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