9 Best Entry Level IT Certifications to Advance Career Now
We all need to stand out from other competitors in the job market, we need to somehow show the employer that we are better, that we are more diligent and that we know more than other candidates. Obtaining certificates is one of the ways out and increasing one's positions when looking for a job.
Since our site is dedicated to a large extent to educational resources in the field of IT, we are obliged to publish material from the 9 best certificates that can make you look differently at professions in your field, and also positively affect your career. I also want to add a small detail. For each certificate mentioned, I would make a note if I have that certificate. I'm not going to brag, I'm just sharing my experience.
CompTIA A+ Certification
CompTIA A+ Certification is a well-respected and widely recognized certification in the IT industry. This entry-level certification validates the foundational skills and knowledge needed to support basic IT infrastructure and troubleshoot common hardware and software issues. It covers a wide range of subjects, including mobile devices, networking, security, and software.
CompTIA Certifications (source)
The certification is vendor-neutral, meaning that it is not tied to any specific technology or product. Earning the CompTIA A+ Certification can open up a variety of career opportunities in IT and can serve as a stepping stone for more advanced certifications. CompTIA A+ Certification is a valuable investment for anyone looking to start a career in IT.
If you decide to prepare for such an exam, then I recommend that you join their community on Reddit. There are many useful resources for preparation, as well as people who share their experience in passing and preparing for the exam.
🟢 I took the CompTIA Security+ exam and am certified.
Cisco Certified Entry Networking Technician (CCENT)
CCENT is an entry-level certification for network technicians. It validates the skills and knowledge needed to install, operate, and troubleshoot small enterprise branch networks. The CCENT certification covers topics such as network fundamentals, LAN switching technologies, routing technologies, infrastructure services, and infrastructure maintenance.
CCENT - Covered Topics Page (source)
Earning the CCENT certification demonstrates a strong foundation in network technologies and can lead to career opportunities such as network administrator, network technician, and help desk technician. It also serves as a stepping stone for more advanced Cisco certifications, such as CCNA and CCNP. CCENT certification is a valuable investment for anyone looking to start a career in networking or advance their existing networking career.
🔴 I did not take the exam for this certificate and did not plan to in the near future.
VMware Certified Associate (VCA)
VCA is an entry-level certification program for IT professionals seeking to validate their skills and knowledge in virtualization technology. The certification covers basic concepts and technologies related to virtualization, including data center virtualization, cloud computing, and network virtualization.
Earning the VCA certification demonstrates a solid foundation in VMware technologies and can lead to career opportunities such as virtualization administrator, virtualization engineer, and cloud administrator. The certification also serves as a prerequisite for advanced VMware certifications, such as VCP and VCAP. VCA certification is a valuable investment for IT professionals looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers in virtualization technology.
VCA - Certifications (source)
🟢 I have this certificate in my collection (it is not so complicated in my personal opinion).
Google Certified Associate Cloud Engineer
Google Certified Associate Cloud Engineer is a certification program designed for IT professionals seeking to validate their skills and knowledge in Google Cloud technologies. A wide variety of Google Cloud Platform (GCP)-related subjects, such as cloud infrastructure, storage, networking, security, and application development, are covered by the certification.
Earning the Google Certified Associate Cloud Engineer certification demonstrates proficiency in designing, deploying, and managing solutions using GCP services. It is a globally recognized certification that can lead to career opportunities such as cloud engineer, cloud administrator, and solutions architect. Additionally, the certification serves as a prerequisite for advanced Google Cloud certifications, such as Professional Cloud Architect and Professional Cloud Developer. Google Certified Associate Cloud Engineer certification is a valuable investment for IT professionals looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers in cloud computing.
Google Certified Associate Cloud Engineer - Learning Path (source)
🔴 I do not have such a certificate and I did not plan to receive it in the near future.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner is a certification program designed for individuals seeking to validate their knowledge and skills in cloud computing and Amazon Web Services (AWS). The certification covers a broad range of topics related to AWS, including cloud concepts, security and compliance, billing and pricing, and architecture and deployment.
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner - Exam Overview (source)
Earning the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification demonstrates proficiency in foundational cloud concepts and can lead to career opportunities such as cloud administrator, cloud consultant, and solutions architect. Additionally, the certification serves as a prerequisite for advanced AWS certifications, such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect and AWS Certified DevOps Engineer. For IT professionals wishing to improve their careers in cloud computing and Amazon, earning the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is a wise investment.
🔴 At the moment I do not have such a certificate and did not think to receive it in the future.
ITIL Foundation
ITIL Foundation is a certification program designed for IT professionals seeking to validate their knowledge and skills in IT service management (ITSM). The certification covers a wide range of topics related to ITIL, including service strategy, service design, service transition, service operation, and continual service improvement.
ITIL Foundation - Training Page (source)
Earning the ITIL Foundation certification demonstrates proficiency in ITSM concepts and can lead to career opportunities such as IT service manager, IT service delivery manager, and IT operations manager. Additionally, the certification serves as a prerequisite for advanced ITIL certifications, such as ITIL Intermediate and ITIL Expert. ITIL Foundation certification is a valuable investment for IT professionals looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers in ITSM.
🔴 I do not have such a certificate and, unfortunately, it will be useless in the specific area where I work at the moment.
Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
CEH is a certification program designed for IT professionals seeking to validate their knowledge and skills in ethical hacking and penetration testing. The certification covers a wide range of topics related to network security, including scanning networks, system hacking, web application penetration testing, and cryptography.
CEH - Online Courses (source)
Earning the CEH certification demonstrates proficiency in identifying and exploiting vulnerabilities in computer systems and can lead to career opportunities such as ethical hacker, security analyst, and security consultant. Additionally, the certification is recognized globally by government agencies, industry associations, and employers. For IT workers wishing to further their careers in cybersecurity and improve their skill sets, CEH certification is a worthwhile investment.
🟢 I have such a certificate and it helped me get my first job in the field of cybersecurity. The employer paid attention to him before asking if I had a higher education.
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
CISSP is a certification program designed for IT professionals seeking to validate their knowledge and skills in information security. The certification covers a wide range of topics related to security, including access control, cryptography, security architecture and design, software development security, and security operations.
CISSP - Online Training (source)
Earning the CISSP certification demonstrates proficiency in designing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive information security program and can lead to career opportunities such as security manager, security consultant, and chief information security officer. Additionally, the certification is globally recognized and is one of the most respected and sought-after information security certifications. CISSP certification is a valuable investment for IT professionals looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers in information security.
🟢 I received such a certificate about a year ago and it seemed to me the most difficult of all that I have ever received (but not about that now).
Project Management Professional (PMP)
PMP is a certification program designed for professionals seeking to validate their knowledge and skills in project management. The certification covers a wide range of topics related to project management, including project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring and controlling, and closing.
PMP - Certification Main Page (source)
Earning the PMP certification demonstrates proficiency in managing projects of all sizes and complexity levels and can lead to career opportunities such as project manager, program manager, and portfolio manager. Additionally, the certification is globally recognized and is one of the most respected and sought-after project management certifications. PMP certification is a valuable investment for professionals looking to enhance their skills and advance their careers in project management.
🔴 Unfortunately, I don't have this certificate.
Conclusion
Earning an entry-level IT certification is a great way to advance your career in IT. Whether you are interested in networking, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, or project management, there is a certification that can help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to succeed. With these ten certifications, you can take the first step toward a successful career in IT.
As you can see, I personally prepared and received only those certificates that are somehow related to information security. This was necessary for me to work as a cybersecurity specialist. I assure you, for each of your purposes, you will be able to find a certificate that will be useful for you from this list. Good luck!