Tech is still the fastest-growing industry. Security and Cloud are, of course, taking center stage in growth and job potential. If you are looking to break into tech, broaden your skills, or pivot to another branch, then look into these 7 IT certifications that are worth the money:
ITIL 4
This option is great for tech newbies. If you are looking to break into tech with no experience and no education, then the ITIL 4 foundation course is perfect.
Beyond20 offers online classes on the ultimate framework for IT best practices. On completion, you will earn a certificate to help you start a career in the IT service industry.
Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer
Learn how to design machine learning algorithms with Google’s Cloud Professional Data Engineer Certificate. It will equip you to do architecture work on business processes and statistical models.
Google offers online courseware to help you pass the exam. You need a degree in computer science, informatics, or related fields. Average salaries in the field start at $170,000.
Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect (GCPCA)
The Cloud is taking over, and the next best certification is the GCPCA. Google offers a complete training and certification course, which is open to anyone. At completion, you will be certified as a Google Cloud Architect with a possible starting salary of nearly $170,000.
Cloud jobs are many, and finding qualified individuals is hard. However, earning this certification will place you in the top 5% of IT professionals worldwide and open job opportunities across the globe.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
The (ISC) 2’s CISSP certification has been compared to a master’s in IT security. It proves that you can design a cybersecurity program, as well as implement and manage it.
It will test you on eight domains in information security, including asset security, security operations, and software development security.
You will need a minimum of five years of relevant work experience but can take the exam without it. If you pass, you will become an Associate of (ISC)2. However, to get the full CISSP certification, you will need at least six years of experience.
If you lack experience, use online resources to study, earn the certificate, and build your career in information systems security.
Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
If you already work or want to step into identifying, evaluating, and managing IT risks, then you need (ISC) 2’s CRISC certification. With a starting salary of well over $150,000, this certification is well worth the money and time.
CRISC will equip you with the knowledge to plan and implement control measures and frameworks, leading to a long career in IT security, which is an ever-expanding industry. Immediate jobs you can apply for include a security architect and a security analyst.
This certification is one of the more accessible options on this list, as you only need to pass the exam to earn it. You can study the four needed domains online on multiple sites and become CRISC certified quickly. It’s great for those just stepping into tech that wants to be in IT security.
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
This certification is another whose focus is on data security. ISACA’s CISM certification is among the field’s most regarded ones. With a starting salary of almost $150,000, this certification will set you up for a long, successful, and lucrative career.
CISM tests for technical competence in information security and the qualification for leadership and management. Some topics in the certification exam are information security governance, incident, and risk management.
Ideally, you will need a total of five years of paid, relevant work experience in at least two CISSP domains. You will still be able to complete the exam without that experience, but you will spend six years obtaining the needed experience. Or you can use free and paid online resources to study for the exam to prepare you better.
Project Management Professional (PMP)
While privacy, data protection, and the Cloud are the next big things in IT, project managers are still very much needed. The average project manager salary in IT is $148,906 and comes with many perks.
The perks are what make the PMP certification worth the money. If you are more management and leadership inclined and do not want to build systems of code a lot, then take the PMP certification.
The Project Management Institute has the most highly-regarded project management certifications. They require a 4-year degree, three years of experience leading projects, and 35 hours of project management education before they can even enter the program.
They also accept a high school diploma if you have five years of experience and 35 hours of project management education/training.
Wrap up
There are a lot of opportunities in IT, including IT services, security, machine learning, cloud computing, software development, and product and project management. These certifications will give you a boost in your IT career.
