Whether you’re a newcomer to the industry or an experienced technology professional seeking to bolster your career, top IT certifications can help you advance your skills and increase your employability. Pluralsight offers carefully curated learning paths for some of the most popular IT, cybersecurity, and software development certifications.
Understanding your current skill set will help you identify the right certifications for you. This article will explore top IT certification paths including foundational, professional, and expert levels.
Certifications for Entry-Level IT Professionals
The right IT certifications can boost your resume, set you apart from other candidates, and even help you earn higher pay. But which ones are right for you? That depends on your career aspirations and your current level of experience. The best entry-level IT certifications for beginners are often those focused on skills that are most relevant to the field of work. For example, the CompTIA A+ certification is a good choice for beginners because it covers the basics of IT, including network infrastructure, troubleshooting, and security. It also includes an exam that can be used to demonstrate your knowledge of computer hardware and software. In order to build your resume, you can opt to check out Purple Griffon for consulting in the IT field.
Similarly, the ITIL Foundation is an excellent entry-level certification for IT professionals who want to show that they understand basic IT service management concepts. The newest version of the ITIL framework was released this year, and it features new approaches to IT operations like DevOps and Agile. Another good entry-level IT certification is the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), which is ideal for IT professionals working in information security. It demonstrates your understanding of IT governance, information security program development and management, and information risk management.
It is important to keep in mind that while entry-level IT certifications can help you start your career off on the right foot, they will not necessarily guarantee a job or a higher salary. Many IT jobs require specialized certifications or years of hands-on experience, such as those in cybersecurity, data science and analytics, application development, and engineering. Additionally, obtaining an IT certification may require membership in a professional association. This can be advantageous in terms of gaining access to job boards and other resources that can assist you in your search for employment.
Finally, it’s worth remembering that the value of IT certifications diminishes over time. This means that it’s a good idea to recertify every few years. This will ensure that your credentials remain valid and that they continue to be valuable to potential employers.
Certifications for Experienced IT Professionals
Whether you’re a seasoned IT pro looking to move into leadership or a newcomer trying to find the right niche in tech, there are plenty of IT certifications available to help you make it to the top. IT certifications serve as validation of your knowledge and skills in specific technologies, platforms or methodologies. They can boost your earning potential and give you the confidence you need to stand out in a competitive job market.
Choosing the right IT certification for your career aspirations should depend on your skill level, job title, and level of experience. It’s also important to consider the specific tasks you perform, as some IT certifications require certain levels of knowledge and skills in order to be able to pass them.
For example, the A+ certification from CompTIA is a popular choice for entry-level IT professionals. It demonstrates your ability to troubleshoot PCs and laptops, install and configure operating systems, support mobile devices, and manage network printers. It’s a great way to get your foot in the door and start building your IT career.
On the other hand, the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) is an advanced IT security certification designed for senior-level professionals. It requires a significant amount of technical and professional expertise, and it covers the management and control of an organization’s security infrastructure.
It’s worth noting that some IT certifications have expiration dates, while others don’t. It’s best to check with your employer or the governing body that oversees your IT certification before you pursue one.
In general, IT certifications have a positive impact on salary and career prospects. Research shows that certified IT professionals earn higher salaries than their non-certified peers. This is because employers value their expertise and are confident in their abilities, which leads to increased job opportunities for certified IT professionals.
The ITIL 4 framework from Axelos is a widely used management methodology that’s commonly incorporated into software development processes. It’s also a popular choice for ITIL Master certification, which can help you advance your career and increase your earning potential. Similarly, the PMP certification from Project Management Institute is an industry-standard certification that proves you have the necessary skills to lead projects and teams through successful implementation of technology solutions.
Certifications for Senior IT Professionals
Regardless of whether you’re a recent college graduate launching a tech career or an IT specialist with many years of experience, certifications can help boost your skills and improve job prospects. By carefully considering their professional aspirations and expertise, IT professionals can customize their certification path and embark on a journey that will round out both IT and leadership skills.
The IT certifications you choose will depend on your area of interest and what positions you’re interested in, but a few options to consider include:
Comprehensive beginner certificates: Those just getting started can benefit from earning a CompTIA certificate. This credential helps develop a foundational understanding of hardware, technical support, operational procedures, and various operating systems. With no prerequisites or minimum professional experience, this is a great way to kickstart an IT career.
Middle-management and executive IT certifications: In order to reach the top, IT pros will need a wide range of skills, including project management. To round out these capabilities, consider obtaining a PMI (Project Management Institute) certification. These credentials are widely recognized by employers, and can provide you with a leg up in the competition for top tech positions.
ITIL certifications: ITIL, or Information Technology Infrastructure Library, is one of the most popular IT service management frameworks in use. Providing a standard set of best practices for IT services, these ITIL certifications can help you advance to an IT manager role.
The key to success in IT is staying up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends. This can be achieved by participating in continuing education courses, attending tech conferences, and subscribing to relevant journals and newsletters. In addition to gaining knowledge, IT professionals can also maintain their IT certifications by re-certifying every three years. This will ensure that their skills remain current and that they’re well-prepared for any new challenges that may arise in the future. This is especially important for IT professionals aiming to move into leadership roles, such as CIOs, CISOs, and other tech executives. This is because these positions require a deeper level of knowledge than the more entry-level IT certificates do.
Certifications for Experts
Top IT certifications are an excellent way to demonstrate your skills and abilities. Whether you’re seeking a new role or simply want to boost your resume, these certifications can help you stand out from the competition and qualify you for higher pay. These credentials also provide you with opportunities to learn new technologies and improve your existing IT knowledge. However, you may find it difficult to select the right certification for your career path, especially if you’re just starting out or have many years of experience.
The CompTIA stackable certifications are a great option for those who want to quickly convey their IT knowledge and skills to employers. These certifications are designed for IT beginners and professionals, with stackable pathways in the areas of Infrastructure and Cyber Security. This makes it easier to figure out what you should be learning next and which certifications will best showcase your abilities in the marketplace.
For those looking to advance their careers in cybersecurity, it’s important to earn the right certifications. The CompTIA Security+ certification is a good choice for entry-level IT professionals looking to build their general IT skills. It also provides a strong foundation for those who want to specialize in digital forensics, server systems, or other IT domains.
Those who want to prove their expertise in cyber security should pursue the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification. This certification validates a person’s knowledge and experience in information security management, and it is one of the highest-paying IT certifications.
Other options for advancing your IT career include the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) and Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP). These certifications are an excellent choice for those with experience in cloud computing, information security, and network architecture. Once you’ve obtained a CCNA or CCSP, you can choose to specialize in the following areas:
As a final note, it’s important for IT professionals to keep up with industry trends and technologies. This can be done by attending technology conferences and subscribing to relevant journals and newsletters. It’s also a good idea to consider taking IT courses to further develop your skills and prepare for upcoming IT exams.
