5 Best Entry-Level IT Certifications to Help You Build Your IT Skills and Improve Your Career
Starting a career in the IT field is a different experience for various people. Some can get everything right the very first time, while others need to work a little harder and gain a bit more expertise before they are able to advance.
If you are just starting out your IT career and looking to change your area of expertise, there is no shame in starting from scratch. One of the best things about the IT sphere is that there are many certifications that can help you learn the skills you need. However, some of these options are more difficult than others, so it is important to know your starting point.
So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at the best entry-level IT certificates you can go for in 2020.
- Amazon AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
The first credential that we want to mention is AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. It is offered by Amazon and designed to provide the perfect place to start. This is because the things that you learn in this path will help you if you choose to go for other AWS certifications. For example, you can opt for AWS Solutions Developer, AWS Certified Solutions Architect, DevOps Engineer, AWS SysOps, and more.
The intended target audience for this badge is someone who wants to become a true AWS Cloud expert. Obtaining this credential will open up many new doors for you and allow you to earn an average annual salary of $130,000.
- Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)
Microsoft Technology Associate is one of the best options that you can go for, especially if you are a budding IT professional. There are a lot of credentials available at this level, and no formal prerequisites for them are required. All you need to do is choose the needed exam and pass it. Taking the test will grant you the Microsoft MTA badge.
However, you need to know that it is a standalone fundamental-level course. This means that getting one of the options won’t qualify you for any other credential. All in all, the candidates have the option to get their MTA certifications related to databases, developers, or IT infrastructure.
- Cisco Certified Technician (CCT)
If you already know how to operate a computer and want a certificate that will allow you to get right into the networking side of things, Cisco has the perfect option for you. Cisco Certified Technician, or CCT, is the perfect credential for the entry-level network enthusiasts. If you have this badge with your name on it, you can start working with Cisco hardware for any company.
This certification will allow you to give your career a strong start and gain a lot of experience upfront. The common duties of the CCT certificate holders are repairing, installing, and troubleshooting Cisco switches, routers, and other devices.
- VMware Certified Associate
The next certification that we want to talk about is VMware Certified Associate, or VCA. This is an entry-level credential, which is ideal for someone who is interested in VMware Cloud and virtualization products. Its exam does not cover a lot of technical skills, but it focuses more on your knowledge and understanding of virtualization technologies and knowledge related to VMware products.
This track changes from time to time and offers the potential candidates different options. Now you can opt for the digital business transformation domain and learn everything about it. The VCA exam for this path is 130 minutes long and consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. There are many resources available that you can use to study for this test.
- CompTIA IT Fundamentals
CompTIA is one of the biggest certification providers in the world. If you are still early in your IT career, the vendor has some certificates that can help you. Its badges are internationally recognized, which makes them the obvious choice for a lot of IT professionals. If you are interested in networking, CompTIA A+, CompTIA ITF+, and CompTIA Network+ might be the best options for you.
They don’t have any prerequisites, and as long as you have some networking knowledge, you can go for one of them. However, it does not mean that you can take them easily. Even if you have a few years of experience under your belt, the corresponding exams can still be difficult. Once you are able to obtain one of the badges, you will gain a lot of knowledge that you can use to improve your IT career even further.
Conclusion
These are some important things about the top entry-level certifications that you can pursue right now. Indeed, the IT credentials hold a lot of value. Therefore, if you are still early in your career, getting one can take you a long way. You can find the certificates related to any IT domain, so there is no excuse for you not to go for a badge from a reputable provider.