Constant learning is essential to a healthy living. Even after degrees are learned, certificates can be used as a tool to learn and apply new skills or even sharpen old knives in drawer. In the world of Information Technology, certificates can be used as a pathway towards your interest. This could include technical certificates like the popular CCNA or the sought after CISSP which requires years of hands on experience, or management based certificates like the Certified ScrumMaster certificate which proves your abilities in project management and agile framework.
The most common entry-level certificates include the CompTia trifecta, which includes the A+, Network + and Security+. Understanding and successfully passing these exams can help as a stepping stool to get your foot into the world of IT. Besides these, many certificates exist in many niche fields as well. My advice is to find a role you would like to aim for in a couple of years and see the requirements. Use this as a baseline for what pathway you might take.
I would recommend incorporting reading articles regarding technology, security, tools and any trends that are emerging. It was only 20 years ago that dial up internet was popular, so you never know what will be arriving tomorrow.
As I continue my learning, I will be updating this section of the blog with certification guides as I continue my journey.
Below I will include several links that can assist you in finding your pathway in IT. Several of these links were resources provided to me by my previous college professors and mentors and I will pass them along.
17 Highest-paying IT Certifications in the United States: An CompTia article from March 2021 regarding the top-paying certifications. Remember, just having a certificate does not gurantee a new role.
Cyberseek: Cyberseek is useful if you are interested in a career in security. It shows potential roadmaps, skills and certificates in demand