IT Certifications & Career Road Map

Getting as many IT certifications as possible is a huge investment. It opens your doors to better salaries and more secure job opportunities. What’s more, you will have a better chance of advancing your IT skills when you receive these certifications. Employers are also more willing to hire certified IT technicians than uncertified ones. The good news is that you can complete many IT certifications online from the comfort of your home.

So, read on to discover top IT certification paths that will improve your skills and salary this year.

Software Quality Assurance (QA) Certification

Getting a software quality assurance certification can be a major plus for your resume, but what is the best way to get one? There are many software quality assurance certifications to choose from. You will want to understand your career goals and ensure your certification reflects them. QA certification options include:

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) offers software quality assurance certifications that require a formal application process, testing, or both. The Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) is the highest-level IEEE certification in this category. To apply for an IEEE certification, you must be a full-time student or a university faculty member. If you are not in either of these groups, your application can be considered if you submit letters of recommendation and proof of at least 10 years’ relevant work experience.

Although IEEE certification is highly respected in the industry, there are other software quality assurance certifications available.

Best QA Certifications

• Certified Test Engineer (CSTE)
• International Software Testing Qualification Board (ISTQB) Tester
• Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST)
• Spin Career’s Manual Quality Assurance Course
• Spin Career’s Automated Quality Assurance Tester Course

Cloud Certifications

Getting a cloud certification allows you to stand out from the crowded competition. You can expect a higher salary and guaranteed job security as a certified cloud professional. Whether you are an experienced IT tech who wants to upskill or just starting your IT career, choosing the right cloud certification will help you get noticed by your potential employers.

Top cloud certifications in 2022 include:

• CCNA cloud
• AWS certified cloud practitioner
• Google cloud digital leader
• Google cloud architect certification
• Microsoft Azure fundamentals
• Azure solutions architect

Security Certifications

Cybersecurity specialists can design and execute security audits on hardware and software systems. With cyber-crimes increasing over the years, the demand for certified cybersecurity experts has increased. Security certifications are offered by vendor-specific and vendor-neutral organizations such as Microsoft, CompTIA, and ISACA.

Software Development Certifications

Organizations across all industries hire software developers to produce functional and reliable products that meet and exceed customer expectations. So, adding a software development certification to your resume will set you apart from your competition and place you in front of employers. Software developer certifications are offered by both vendor-neutral and vendor-specific companies like CISSP, CISM, AWS, Microsoft, and more.

Database Certifications

Data technicians work in a variety of fields, including finance, health, education, IT, manufacturing, construction, and more. As a data professional, you will have the flexibility to work as a data warehousing specialist, database developer, database engineer, data scientist, data architect, and more. Getting database certifications will help you stand out in a crowded market and increase your chances of landing a better-paying career. Popular foundational database certifications include:

• Azure data fundamentals
• Oracle Database 12c
• Administrator certified associate certification
• IBM certified database associate

These vendors also offer professional and advanced database certifications.

How to Choose the Best IT Certifications

When choosing an IT certification, you should stop to think about your career objectives, experience level, interests, and preferences. It is also essential to select a certification that will increase your chances of receiving a higher salary and improving your job security. You can do that by selecting an IT certification that will enhance your skills and expertise. For instance, you should pursue a database certification to become more valuable to your organization if you are a data professional.

Similarly, software engineers and quality assurance specialists should pursue certifications that enhance their skills. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our IT professionals today to discover how you can start your IT career or upskill.