Today’s global economy thrives and relies on technology. Having basic technical skills is essential to being successful, across about every business and job role. Obtaining certification is an effective way to develop and gain tech skills. Think tech certs are only for those who work in tech? Think again.
Whether you’re a CEO or a receptionist, some Certifications will assist your day-to-day responsibilities. I Have identified three tech certifications that even the most non-tech-savvy people should get.
1) CompTIA A+
There’s debate among IT pros about the value of CompTIA A+ certification. Some say it is too easy and experience is not necessary. I believe it’s an ideal starting point for a career in tech. But gaining CompTIA A+ certification is worthwhile even without IT-specific aspirations
The entry-level Certification covers a lot of general info that can be helpful in about every office. Have you ever needed to troubleshoot your computer? Or dealt with a printer issue? Of course, you have. I had to rely on IT for help at some point.
The CompTIA A+, which consists of two exams, provides the skills and knowledge to tackle both of those issues — and then some. You’ll also learn about common hardware and software, networking basics, and even dabble with IT security.
Because A+ is vendor-neutral, the concepts and theories it covers are applicable all around. For example, you should be able to troubleshoot fundamental networking issues, regardless of what type of router you’re using. That said, the cert focuses a bit on Windows, which is still the dominant enterprise operating system.
The CompTIA A+ Certification can benefit anyone who uses computers on a daily basis, which is just about everyone.
2) Scrum Product Owner
Project management is essential to the success of any company. Regardless of your role, getting a certification, like the Certified Scrum Product Owner, is a smart move. You will gain a better understanding of effective project management and improve your soft skills in the process.
Certified Scrum Product Owner emphasizes Agile, a viable project management approach. Intended for software developers, Agile focuses on customer collaboration, team interaction, and of course, flexibility. It is an iterative and incremental approach that helps teams deliver products. As a result, Agile has gained momentum across a wide range of industries.
The Certified Scrum Product Owner gets you up to speed on Agile terms, methods, and processes. Having that knowledge can make you a more active participant during projects. You’ll feel more empowered to share input, for example, if you understand how sprints work.
Receiving Certified Scrum Product Owner will improve your communication and collaboration skills. In today’s global workforce, these soft skills are critical to project success. To be a successful PM, you must be a great listener and be able to empathize. If you have command aspirations, Certified Scrum Project Owner certification can help you improve leadership and organizational skills.
More organs outside of tech are using Agile, making this certification is worth earning even if you are not working with software developers.
3) MOS: Microsoft Office Excel 2016 Core
When it comes to business operations in the 21st century, data is the lifeblood. But having a lot of knowledge is not helpful unless you can organize, understand, and communicate with it. There is no better essential tool for data purposes than Microsoft Excel. And that’s why MOS Microsoft Excel Core 2016 makes our list.
You are likely familiar with Excel, but do you know how to handle ranges and data cells? Have you ever wondered how to create formulas? And how do you take all that data and make it attractive? Excel includes many useful features that improve productivity, whether you’re managing inventory or tracking campaigns.
A lot of Excel features are not used to their full capacity. For example, many of Excel’s data visualization tools are minimally used. Did you know you can create hierarchy charts? Or transform data into images? Being able to create charts, pivot tables, and 3D maps will take your presentation skills to a new level.
Taking numbers and making them easy to understand and digest is a critical skill in any industry. The MOS Microsoft Office Excel 2016 Core Certification is one that everyone should consider earning.
The cert journey will benefit you, too.
Obtaining a certification proves your commitment to learning. Studying for a Certification can be a challenging, long process. But you will acquire habits that can apply to your job, like time management and improved attention to detail.
Consider the tech you rely on at work or think about a platform you wish you knew how to use. There is a likely a similar certification that you should get. If a Certification can increase your confidence and productivity, certification is a no-brainer. Happy studying!