Tech Certifications: Are These Valuable Add-Ons to Your Career?

Day by day, new IT trends are introduced, adding more competition in the industry. And often than not, only technical certifications are the most effective way to combat the endless sprawl of advancements in the market. So, if you’re caught up in the dilemma of career stagnation, maybe it’s high time to obtain your first-ever IT certification.

How Certifications Aid Your Career Growth?

While many candidates consider certifications as beneficial, there are still some individuals who are unsure of their relevance. For better decision-making, we will elaborate on the core benefits of having a certificate in this era of technological progression. One of the main reasons why specialists want to get certified is because it is proof of their knowledge. With validation from a reputable vendor like Microsoft, Cisco, and the like, your skillset is up to par with the experts in the industry. And of course, recruiters know that applicants with certifications are not just knowledgeable but also efficient specialists who can work proficiently with less supervision. However, qualifying for certification has never been easy. In fact, technical endorsements are highly challenging as you have to take into account a lot of things. Money and time are two of the major investments to consider beforehand. And if you do so, this only shows that certification holders are individuals who are persistent with their goals. Also, if your certification focuses on a particular area, this gives you more advantage because it sets you apart from the generic crowd. Particularly, your technical proficiency is a big plus, which further leads to better job security and higher financial rewards. More than that, getting certified provides the opportunity to be part of a coveted tech community, where you can share ideas with your colleagues and acquire insights from seasoned experts.

What Are Some Top Tech Certifications to Add to Your List?

If you’re interested in underlining your skillset, below are five of the top-ranking names and some of their widely-recognized designations:

Cisco

Let’s begin the list with Cisco and its all-encompassing certification program. Being a tech giant for many decades, they have truly etched a credible reputation among large corporations, businesses, and professionals around the world. And these aren’t just about their networking products and IT solutions. Their certification path is very much applauded because of its breadth that caters to different levels, from entry to architect. It’s a shame not to mention their ever-popular CCNA 200-301 track. This path accentuates the fundamentals of key IT technologies, including security, networking, and Internet Protocol. For more advanced routes, you can opt for the CCNP Enterprise, CyberOps Professional, DevNet Professional, and other CCNP validations. To seal the deal, they also offer expert certifications, particularly, the CCIE and CCDE, alongside the top-tier CCAr endorsement.

Microsoft

The Microsoft certification path is probably one of the most extensive programs to date. They have product-based as well as role-focused designations for different specialists. You can choose among core solutions such as Azure, Dynamics 365, Office 365, SQL Server, and the like. For their technical evaluations, these include Administrator, DevOps Engineer, Functional Consultant, Developer, Solutions Architect, and Security Engineer. To give you some recommendations, you can check out the MTA: Windows Server Administration Fundamentals (98-365), the MCSA: Web Applications (70-480, 70-483, and 70-486), the MCSA: SQL 2016 Database Administration (70-764 and 70-765), the Microsoft 365 Certified: Teams Administrator Associate (MS-700), and the Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104).

(ISC)2

(ISC)2 is certainly a leading organization when it comes to information security. They also have a succinct list of certifications, which are all designed for a specific set of specialists. And the most popular among their certification track is the CISSP, a coveted endorsement given to skilled security professionals, who have substantiated the (ISC)² Common Body of Knowledge. Other highly suggested certifications offered by this vendor are the SSCP, CCSP, CSSLP, CAP, and HCISPP. If you don’t have enough experience to start the specialized (ISC)² certificates, you can still pursue your goals with the aid of the Associate of (ISC)². This program is meant to assist you in preparing for your certification journey while you acquire the needed work experience.

VMware

Another relevant name in the industry is VMware. For years, they have been transforming individuals into experts in VMware solutions. In general, their certifications spin around network virtualization and data center virtualization, along with security, application modernization, digital workspace, and cloud. And if you want to pursue their technical path, you can kick off with the VMware Certified Technical Associate and then the VMware Certified Professional. For a deeper skillset, you can continue with the VMware Certified Advanced Professional and then top it off with the VMware Certified Design Expert qualifications.

CompTIA

CompTIA certifications are always top-notch and you won’t have a hard time choosing your path because they only have four categories to choose from ― Core, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, and Additional Professional. Some of their well-acclaimed certifications are the A+, Network+, and Security+. The CompTIA A+ (220-1001 and 220-1002) welcomes you to the vital operating systems, security features, and tech devices, which are all relevant in today’s market. On the other hand, the Security+ (SY0-601) and the Network+ (N10-007) focus on operational security functions together with wired/ wireless devices.

How to Effectively Achieve Certification?

If you’ve ever deliberated whether to obtain a certificate from any of the reputable vendors mentioned above, the first thing that you should do is know the related requirements. Subsequently, you will need to complete all the prerequisites and then start familiarizing yourself with the coverage of the necessary test. As for the training materials, most of those organizations have their own verified collection of resources. And of course, it’s advisable that you make use of the official references first before you jump into other third-party platforms. To add more, one critical material that you should definitely use is the exam blueprint, where all the key topics are outlined into major sections with specific test percentages. In addition, your preparation won’t be complete without answering some practice materials as they’ll help you evaluate your knowledge beforehand. This way, you will check on your skills efficiently and make corresponding adjustments to become fully-equipped on the exam day.

Conclusion

Earning a tech certification from such vendors as Microsoft, CompTIA, or Cisco gives so much advantage to your career. Well, the process itself might be grueling but the rewards are completely remarkable. So, start materializing your goals now and pick your preferred certification path to become a knowledgeable IT specialist.