Certifications provide credibility to your resume and make you more appealing to recruiters and hiring managers. They’re also a wonderful way to stand out from the crowd at the entry level – and possibly increase your compensation.
As your career progresses, you’ll want to think about pursuing more advanced certifications to further your professional development. You’ll know what specialty to concentrate on and what skills you’ll require for your intended career path by then. However, at the starting level, it’s best to stick with more generalist credentials that will help you acquire a job.
Here are some IT certifications to launch your career, whether you have recently graduated or have decided to make a career change.
AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification
The Amazon AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam covers the principles of IT services and how they are employed in the AWS cloud platform. Coding, designing cloud architecture, cloud security, troubleshooting, implementation, migration, load and performance testing, and business applications are all covered in the exam. While this is an entry-level certification, it is suggested that you have six months of AWS cloud experience and a thorough understanding of basic AWS services, use cases, billing, pricing structures, security concepts, and how cloud affects business.
Fee for the exam: $100
Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA)
Cisco used to provide numerous different credentials under the Certified Network Associate (CCNA) scheme, however it recently combined all CCNA qualifications into a single CCNA certification. Network fundamentals, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security fundamentals, and automation and programmability are all covered by the new CCNA certification.
The CCNA certification is intended to teach a “wide variety of foundations based on the newest technologies, software development abilities, and professional positions,” according to Cisco. It’s an entry-level certification that will get you up to speed on the newest IT principles and help you get started in your profession. It’s best for people who want to work as a network engineer, help desk technician, network administrator, or network support technician as an entry-level position.
The examination costs $300.
CompTIA A+
Support specialists, field service technicians, desktop support analysts, and help desk support are all candidates for the CompTIA A+ certification. It’s a good entry-level certification that’s well-regarded in the industry if you’re looking for a job in a related profession. The certification verifies your ability to troubleshoot and resolve issues with networking, operating systems, mobile devices, and security. It consists of two exams: one covering mobile devices, networking technology, hardware, virtualization and cloud computing, and network troubleshooting; and the other covering installing and configuring operating systems, expanding security, and troubleshooting software and operational procedures.
Exams cost $232 each.
CompTIA Network+
The CompTIA Network+ certification is an entry-level credential that covers networking fundamentals, troubleshooting, operations, tools, and security, as well as IT infrastructure. Junior network administrators, network field technicians, junior system engineers, IS consultants, and network field engineers will benefit from the qualification. Before taking the exam, you should have your CompTIA A+ certification and at least 9 to 12 months of networking experience, but it is not needed.
The exam tests your knowledge of network device configuration, management, and maintenance, as well as network implementation and design, network troubleshooting, and network security. It’s a well-recognized and desirable certification that will set you apart from other entry-level candidates if you know you want to work closely with IT networks.
$338 for the exam
CompTIA Security+
Because security is such an important IT skill for any technological profession, getting your CompTIA Security+ certification early on is a wise idea. Network, system, and security administrators, as well as security professionals, junior IT auditors, security consultants, and security engineers, will benefit from it. In November 2020, a new exam will be released that is compliant with ISO 17024 standards and has been authorized by the US Department of Defense to meet certain security needs.
Threats, attacks, and vulnerabilities; risk management; architecture and design; technology and tools; cryptography and PKI; and identity and access management are all covered in the 90-minute test. Employers will see that you have the ability to build and configure systems to keep applications, networks, and devices safe in accordance with compliance rules if you earn your Security+ certification.
$349 for the exam
ITIL Foundations
Axelos’ ITIL 4 framework is a popular management tool for increasing team productivity and streamlining organizational procedures. The ITIL 4 Foundation certification covers the fundamentals of IT service management as well as best practices for developing, delivering, and enhancing technologically enhanced products and services. It’s a wonderful certification to get started on if you want to work in IT service management. The test covers the ITIL 4 guiding principles, the four service management dimensions, and essential concepts including Lean, Agile, and DevOps.
Exam costs vary based on the vendor.
Microsoft 365Fundamentals
The Microsoft 365 Essentials certification covers all of the Microsoft 365 suite of products and services’ basics and fundamentals. The certification demonstrates that you have a thorough understanding of “the alternatives available in Microsoft 365 and the benefits of embracing cloud services, the software as a service (SaaS) cloud model, and deploying the Microsoft 365 cloud service.” On October 25, 2021, Microsoft updated the certification to incorporate additional information about the Azure Active Directory Premium P1 and Premium P2 licensing options.
In Microsoft 365, you will be asked to describe and explain cloud principles, fundamental Microsoft 365 services and concepts, security, compliance, privacy, and trust. You’ll also be quizzed on your understanding of Microsoft 365’s products, services, and pricing.
$99 for the exam
Project Management Institute (PMI) Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)
The Project Management Institute offers the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification, which is a widely recognized entry-level project management qualification (PMI). To acquire your CAPM, you don’t have to be a project manager; many IT positions require project management skills to oversee technical initiatives.
Before you can take the exam, you’ll need a secondary degree and at least 23 hours of project management instruction, which you may get through PMI’s Project Management Basics course. The course was created by PMI to help you prepare for the CAPM certification test, and it covers project management fundamentals and abilities that you’ll need in an IT project management career.
The exam costs $225 for members and $300 for non-members.
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