Getting certified is an incredibly thrilling journey, but it can be a bit intimidating. If you have decided to pursue a certification in IT but found the number of directions to go overwhelming, just read on to hear about three foundational certifications you can obtain and which one is right for you!
Despite substantial need in the Tech sector, millions of jobs go unfulfilled every year. There just are not enough skilled workers to fill these jobs. This is a significant problem to have! It means that you have the excellent opportunity to learn new skills and enter an industry that is desperate for skilled workers.
These are not low-paying high-labor jobs either, while It differs by region, Tech pays hugely well. For instance, the US Tech sector on average pays anywhere from $80,000-$106,000 per year for intermediate skilled Tech workers. Tech is an incredibly fruitful career choice. It does need learning something new and lots of practice.
With study and some certification, you could make a more significant amount of money, learn some excellent skills, and unfortunately become the person every elderly friend calls when they have a broken laptop.
CompTIA Certifications are the gold-standard for jumping into the skill-based technical side of Information Technology. While there are many certifications, three of them are incredible foundational certs for being able to work in IT.
CompTIA Security+, CompTIA A+, and CompTIA Networking+ are some of best starting certifications for a career in networking. They help make a successful foundation for getting numerous career paths. How do you know which one should you pick? Read on!
Which CompTIA Certification is right for You?
Ultimately, in IT, learning a new skill is never wasted. It can help to practice on the long-term direction you want to take with your career as well as help find work that you like to do. CompTIA gives quite a few certificates, but for those starting and learning in IT, Security+, Network+, and A+ are some of the best foundational certifications.
For the Vigilant:
Cybersecurity is one of the largest developing IT needs in the world. Just turn on the news, and you will see story after story of governments, companies, and more being orderly hacked. DDoS attacks have become common for big businesses, and even everyday computer use can result in collecting massive amounts of Malware.
Security+ Certificate is for those who want a fast-paced career creating iron-clad defenses against outside intruders and building systems for businesses to keep information secure. Not only does this certification cover many styles of security, but it also includes the theory behind it, the mindset of trying to prevent information from being lost, stolen, or destroyed. Taking the SY0-501 Exam is a complete path for those who love being on watch, making systems that are durable, and consistently checking in to ensure users’ data is safe and private. That also covers basic security in regards to proper Data storage.
Security+ Certification is the first step towards many implied careers, from for-hire security work in the private sector to a government job helping keep hackers out from the most delicate information.
For the Problem Solver
DHCP, WAN, LAN, DNS, VOIP. Networking is full of hundreds of little acronyms terms that often go unnoticed in every-day use. It requires a full breadth of knowledge and some significant problem-solving skills to be successful in Networking.
Networking is one of the most challenging IT categories. If one thing goes incorrect in a network set-up, it kills productivity. If everything goes normal, you may not even appear to be doing much to the casual observer! The Networking+ Certification includes the troubleshooting process to find where and what is going beyond within a network, set-up new Networks and covers the many skills to be successful in connecting devices. If you aspire a career where every day presents new challenges and you can continually pursue growth taking the N10-007 Exam is the right for you.
The underlying knowledge enables you to know not only what to do in regards to networking, but how it works, seamlessly Data goes from one computer to the next, and all the background knowledge involved with that.
Networking+ is a foundational certification that can start the journey towards being a Network engineer, designing and building the infrastructure behind a business and supporting thousands of users stay connected.
For the Undecided and Tinkerer:
The A+ Certification is the Jack-Of-All-Trades IT cert. Including everything from basic Hardware set-up, Troubleshooting, Software, and more. A+ consists of two exams. The first exam, A+ 901, covers the relevant software and Hardware needed for the primary computer, device set-up, and network. A+ 902 takes it a step further on the software side by getting in-depth with Windows and other OS as well as more involved security and IT procedures. The A+ Certification is ideal for the tinkerer or even someone who is somewhat uncertain on what path they want to take in IT.
If you like to create physical desktop computers, need to run and troubleshoot most office equipment, or want to know how to set-up a small office, A+ Cert teaches all of that. Covering everything from what parts are in a computer to the various devices, OS, and technologies that are common in the workplace, this Certificate is a great foundation for going further with CompTIA.
A+ is a significant step in the direction toward being an IT generalist. It is an excellent certification to get in conjunction with Networking+ or Security+ as it sets the stage for more learning. Even so, with A+ you can begin working towards a fulfilling career and decide to specialize later.
Which CompTIA Certification should You choose?
All three of these give an exciting, rewarding, and fun career path in IT. Whether you like being on guard and setting up unbreakable systems, making computers and setting up an office, or even wiring the Ethernet cables from a server room to the expected port, these three Certifications offer great foundational knowledge for a career.
Do not just stop there though, CompTIA gives an excellent resource to make that decision! Take a moment and head to the CompTIA Career website and play around! You can see career paths as well as the appropriate pay scale for that industry.
Picked Cert?; what to do now?
Find some study materials and start studying!
Getting certified can be challenging without a direction to head. Edusum.com is an excellent resource for studying and getting a feel for many certifications, not just CompTIA! At Edusum.com you can find practice tests for Networking+ and Security+ that help you get a feel for those tests.
Good luck on your journey towards becoming an IT professional. Be sure to check back with us regularly or see some of our other Certification options at Edusum.com as well!