Get to Know: Information Technology Certifications
The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be over half a million new jobs in the information technology (IT) field in the next seven years. In 2017, the median annual wage for IT occupations was over $84,000.
Certification is one way you can get started or move ahead in this fast-growing field.
What is an IT Certification?
An IT certification is usually awarded after successfully completing an exam that demonstrates you have the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform a specific job or task. Many certifications are also "stackable," so you can earn more advanced certifications as your knowledge and experience increase.
Industry certification courses can help you learn new skills and prepare you to successfully take a certification exam.
Why Should I Get Certified?
There are many potential benefits to getting an IT certification, including:
- In-demand in the IT field: Many job postings require or prefer a specific certification. In fact, one Burning Glass study found that “Some fields, such as IT Networking, are completely shaped by certifications.”
- Stand out in the hiring process: A CompTIA survey of Human Resources professionals found that 91% of employers believe IT certifications play an important role in hiring and that these certifications can reliably predict that an employee will be successful in their role.
- Salary and professional growth: Certification may increase your starting salary and increase the likelihood of being promoted.
Choose Your Own Certification Adventure
Ready to get certified? Nationally-recognized and in-demand industry certifications include: Cisco CCNA and CCNP certifications, CompTIA certifications (such as A+, Network+, Security+), and Microsoft certifications. We also crunched the numbers to identify the top tech field certifications in Arizona.
University of Arizona Continuing & Professional Education offers a variety of exam prep classes that can equip you with the knowledge and skills you need for certification exam success.