The computer and information technology (IT) industry is projected to row 13% by 2026. This means there’s no better time than now to enter the IT field.
This means you have to do what you can to stay above the competition.
Gaining certificates is the best way to do this. These certificates not only pave the way for the best-paying IT jobs but they also ensure you’re trained in some of the core areas of IT. Here are the 15 best programming certifications to get.
1. Project Management Professional
Today, employers want to not only hire someone who is skilled but someone whose skills are versatile.
One of the most desirable non-tech skills for IT professionals is IT project management skills.
In order to get certified, you need 35 hours of PMP-related training.
2. Google Certified Professional Cloud Architect
There are two major aspects of tech that will define the IT future: Google and the cloud. As an IT professional, you can receive a certificate that not only ensures you’re a cloud architect but you’re a cloud architect certified by Google.
This certificate proves you can develop and design cloud architecture on the Google platform. It also ensures your architecture is scalable, secure, and reliable.
Today, cloud skills are some of the most desired in the IT world. This certification can open you up to many job opportunities and an impressive salary.
3. AWS Certified Solutions Architect — Associate
Right next to Google, Amazon’s cloud platform, AWS, is dominating the industry.
Similarly, you can get certified in developing AWS systems.
There are multiple programming certifications you can take and it’s recommended you at least achieve the associate level one. The certification after this level is the professional.
In order to achieve the associate certification, you need at least six months worth of hands-on AWS experience. The exam will cover topics such as designing on AWS, estimating AWS costs, and ingress and egress of data.
4. Certified ScrumMaster
Going back to project management skills, scrum is dominating that industry.
You can prove your technical knowledge of scrum by achieving the ScrumMaster certificate. This certificate enforces you can put scrum into practice and that you can lead a team to perform scrum at its highest level.
In addition, the certificate gives you two-year access to the Scrum Alliance, who created and manages the certification. To achieve the certificate, you must attend a two-day scrum workshop and complete the exam.
5. AWS Certified Developer — Associate
The AWS Solutions Architect certificate proves you can design the AWS cloud architecture.
But an AWS certified developer means you can develop and maintain AWS architecture on a myriad of different levels.
An example includes writing code that optimizes AWS application performance. It also proves you can use AWS SDKs to interact with services from within applications.
AWS also expands these skills to other areas, such as mobile development and internet of things (IoT).
6. Certified Information Security Manager
Information and data security are also major trends and desired skills in the IT world.
If cybersecurity is your focus, strive to get the Certified Information Security Manager certificate or CISM certificate.
This certificate is targeted to IT managers who specialize in building and managing an enterprise’s information security.
In addition, the CISM certificate promotes data security and management on a global scale. To qualify for the certificate, you need five years of experience in IS and three of those years should be dedicated to a role as a security manager.
7. ITIL Foundation
ITIL is the most widely used IT management framework in the world.
This framework best aligns IT services with the needs of a specific organization.
ITIL is also diverse, covering IT services such as change and incident management, availability and capacity management, and applications and IT operations management.
Another reason to get this certification is ITIL 4 was released this year. The ITIL certificate ensures you’re trained in the latest ITIL upgrade, which is now the standard for Agile, DevOps, and Lean IT.
8. Certified Information Systems Security Professional
This is another certification that proves expertise in data security. The demand for IT professionals with a cybersecurity background continues to grow.
The Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certificate is a standard indicator of cybersecurity experience, knowledge, and excellence.
And it’s coming to the point where many companies are requiring this certificate to meet position expectations.
Professionals need at least five years of experience in at least two of eight CISSP domains.
9. Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC)
Risk management is another desired IT skill to have in the industry. To prove your risk management expertise, achieve the CRISC certificate.
This proves you understand business risk and how it applies to IT. In addition, this certificate proves you have the skills to develop, implement, and maintain system controls. ISACA manages and offers this certificate.
The ISACA requires you to work in specific domains. You must have at least three years working at two of the four domains.
10. Certified Ethical Hacker
While hacking is what every business owner fears, ethical hacking is a desired trend. These professionals have all of the knowledge required to hack a system but do so in a way that protects an establishment.
The ethical hacker programming certification ensures you can find weaknesses, holes, and vulnerabilities in an enterprise’s technological systems. You do this by using similar techniques that hackers use, helping you further prevent an attack.
This is also a versatile certificate. You can use ethical hacking on the cloud and on-premise systems.
11. CompTIA Security+
If you’re an intermediate-level cybersecurity professional, it’s helpful to take the CompTIA Security+ exam.
However, many professionals are saying this is a minimum-level certification because more roles are requiring different cybersecurity certifications, such as the ones mentioned previously.
This is why the CompTIA Security+ exam doesn’t have as many prerequisites as other exams — you only need two years of IT administration experience, specifically in the security sector.
However, you shouldn’t take this exam unless you have expertise in access control, encryption, and secure software development.
This exam covers a myriad of topics including application, data, network, host, operational and physical security.
12. Citrix Certified Associate — Virtualization (CCA-V)
This is another basic IT programming certification that covers topics such as maintaining, managing, troubleshooting, and monitoring.
This is an entry-level certification and is most useful for IT support staff and desktop and application administrators.
The Associate is the basic certification but you can also upgrade to the Professional certification.
This is recommended as you progress in your career because the Professional certification opens you up to more and higher-paying job opportunities.
13. Cisco Certified Networking Professional (CCNP) Routing and Switching
This certification is specific to network engineers. It ensures they have skills in implementing, planning, troubleshooting, and verifying local and wide-area enterprise networks.
This also verifies network engineers can collaborate with specialists on voice, security, video, and wireless solutions across many platforms.
Professional (CCNP) certification is the level after the Associate. Students and entry-level network engineers are encouraged to achieve Associate certification before the Professional.
The certificate is high in demand and will benefit you greatly as you move up in your career.
14. CompTIA Network+
We discussed the CompTIA Security+ certificate.
Now, we’re discussing a lower-level certificate that’s ideal for a myriad of IT professionals. The CompTIA Network+ certificate will benefit infrastructure installers, help desk technicians, and junior network technicians.
The exam covers basic IT knowledge you’ll need in your career, including the maintenance, installation, and troubleshooting of wireless and Ethernet networks.
You’ll also be tested on network security and both LAN and WAN.
It’s also recommended you take additional exams such as Cisco CCNA.
15. Microsoft Certified Professionals Certifications
Microsoft is another tech giant and you’ll be using many Microsoft programs in your career. That’s why it’s useful to get some Microsoft certifications.
The three tiers include the Microsoft Office Specialist, Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert, and Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer.
The first tier proves you’re competent in Microsoft Office programs such as Excel and Word.
The second tier proves you can manage Microsoft data systems, servers, cloud, and other systems. The third tier proves you can develop and design apps on Windows platforms.
These Programming Certifications Will Help You in Your Career
Whether you specialize in one area, such as the cloud, or have a diverse set of IT skills, it’s necessary to get programming certifications. These are essential to the roles you’re applying and set you up for the best and highest-paying jobs.
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