Through IT certifications, an individual can gain entry into IT positions without the years required to complete a college degree.
With job openings throughout the country, positions in the information technology industry are still very much in demand. While many who enter the industry do so after studying in an accredited university program, many people choose to qualify by earning IT certifications. Through these certifications, an individual can show mastery of specific skillsets that employers in the IT industry find useful, gaining entry into IT positions without the years required to complete a college degree.
IT certifications are typically granted after completion of a certification exam. These exams extensively test the taker's knowledge in a specific knowledge category. There are multiple ways of preparing for an IT certification exam, but most do so through self-study or by participation in IT certification programs that offer courses covering the specific computer certifications desired.
Certification programs are offered both by computer schools online and through offline programs at accredited colleges and private programs. Both offline and online computer schools provide classes that can last from a few days to several months that teach the test material to those new to the certification subjects.
While there are a wide number of IT certifications available in 2013, several stand out from the rest as being the most in-demand by employers. These certifications tend to reflect the current trends in IT development and implementation, filling the employment needs of a consistently changing IT industry. Some of the top certifications include:
- Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate
- MCSE: Private Cloud
- Project Management Professional
- VMware Certified Professional
- Certified IS Security Professional
Both certification training and testing can be expensive. For example, the test for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certification costed $875 in 2010. The cost of training varies widely depending on the certification sought, the length and detail of the classes and whether you get your IT certification online or offline. However, the pay for a certified IT specialist can easily cover the high cost of certification. For many jobs in the IT industry, certification often means a 10 percent markup in pay over those in the same positions without IT certifications. Higher-level certifications may result in an even higher bump in pay, with certified workers receiving as much as 40 percent more than those who are uncertified.
Effective career management in the IT field often leads workers to seek out IT certifications as a way to extend their career along a chosen path or to get a favorable start in the IT field. Whether the certificate seeker chooses one of the top IT certifications in the market or opts for an alternative, the cost of the qualification is often quickly covered by the rise in pay that can occur after the certification is earned.
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