The tech industry is expanding rapidly and there is a growing demand for IT skills. IT careers can be rewarding and long-lasting. It is essential to keep up to date with the constantly changing technology world in order to succeed in a tech career. It can be difficult to know where to start or what the next steps are in your certification journey. There are many options available, including cloud, security, networking, sys admin and dev. This is the definitive guide to IT certifications.

Why should you become certified?
CompTIA reports that 91% of employers believe certifications are essential for hiring the right talent. IT certifications can also be a reliable predictor of success.
It is the best way for you to start your IT career, raise your salary, or remain competitive in the industry. IT certification is a testament to your knowledge and skills in the field. Employers are attracted to applicants who have certifications. Many offer promotions and incentives to current employees who pass certification exams. A certification is the right choice for you, whether you are just starting out in your career or you are a mid-level professional looking to move up in your field.
Do I need a bachelor’s degree?
It can be expensive and time-consuming to go to university. IT workers are more likely to receive informal (or non-traditional) training. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in the United States, 25% of IT workers do not have a bachelor’s degree. While a degree is beneficial for many IT career paths, it is not essential. IT careers can be lucrative even if you don’t have a degree.
What certification is best for IT novices? (What certifications are required to get an entry-level position?
CompTIA IT Fundamentals+: If you are interested in technology but aren’t sure where to start, the CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ certification can help. It is a pre-career certification which will help you determine your IT competence. This exam covers the basics of all IT fields, so you can gain a better understanding of the various IT careers. This certification will allow you to learn basic skills in IT terminology, software development, security, and infrastructure. This exam will give you a better understanding of the concepts that interest you. ITProTV offers the entire IT Fundamentals+ course free of charge.
CompTIA+: CompTIA+ is another certification that will help you kick-start your IT career. CompTIA A+ will help you gain a deeper understanding of a wide range of topics and will also give you more practical skills than CompTIA IT Fundamentals+. This credential is great for anyone looking to work in technical support or IT operations.
CompTIA security+: If you are serious about security, the CompTIA Security+ exam is the best place to start. CompTIA Security+, a vendor-neutral certification, covers key concepts in IT security including networks, data, host security, threats, vulnerabilities, compliance and identity control, as well as cryptography. This certification shows that you have the basic knowledge required to implement security best practice. This video will explain more about Security+ certification.
Cisco CCT Routing & Switching (100-490), is a good start certification for anyone interested in networking. CCT Routing & Switching certification is the best option for anyone who wants to become a Cisco field technician. This certification will allow you to work with basic configuration and install Cisco routers. These skills are valuable for the CCNA candidate but they are more service-focused than equipment installers.
An individual meeting with an ITProTV learning coach can give you personalized guidance on the best steps to follow to reach your IT career goals.
What is the difference between vendor specific and vendor neutral certifications?
Consider whether the certification is vendor-specific, or vendor-neutral when applying for an IT certification. Vendor-specific certifications are evidence of expertise in a particular tool made by the vendor. A Microsoft Azure certification, for example, shows that you have a deep understanding of the cloud computing platform and its services. A vendor-neutral certification demonstrates a greater understanding and skill set of technologies and products that can be used worldwide.
These certifications are vendor-neutral:
All CompTIA certifications (A+ Security+ Network+, Network+, etc.)
Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC).
(ISC)2 Systems Certified Practitioner (SCCP)
EC-Council Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH).
ITIL(r)
PMI(r)
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM)
How does it look to become IT certified?
Now you know what certification you want. Now it’s time for you to get to work. To pass the exa