We have always been told, that a great career starts with great education.  Is that always accurate? No, this isn’t a hundred percent applicable all the time, especially when it comes to starting a new career in IT.  Emergence of various diverse opportunities in this booming field has made getting into an IT career much easier, and many entry-level positions simply require certifications to get you in the door.  That being said, if you’re planning to change your career to one in the IT field, you should brass up your training wheels and get some certifications.  To help you succeed in your endeavor, we’ve identified the top certifications in 2017 that would lay a solid foundation for your new IT career

CompTIA IT Fundamentals

If you are looking to get into an entry-level position in the IT field, a certification such as IT Fundamentals is perhaps the easiest one to complete for a newcomer.  Other certifications like Network+ or CompTIA A+ are a little tougher and require a bit more experience.  For someone new to IT and starting from scratch, it’s advisable to obtain the IT Fundamentals certification first.

Though this certification offered by CompTIA is not recommended for professionals having a general background in IT or working experience in the field, it would definitely help a beginner to obtain a robust foundation on which further knowledge and experience in IT can be developed.

CompTIA A+

The A+ Certification is the ideal foundational course for many IT professions.  In the CompTIA A+ course, candidates will learn about and develop skills in networking, security, mobile devices, hardware, windows, troubleshooting and other operating systems and technologies.

Due to the comprehensive nature of the skills taught in this course, A+ is widely recognized as being critical for anyone interested in starting a career in IT.  There are no prerequisites for this course and certification is granted on completion of the 901 and 902 CompTIA exams.

CompTIA Network+

Network+ equips candidates with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively design, configure, troubleshoot and manage wired and wireless networks.  This course also ensures professionals are trained to work with a variety of software and hardware.

This course is highly respected and trusted around the world.  In fact, CompTIA Network+ meets the ISO 17024 standard and is approved by U.S. Department of Defense to fulfill Directive 8570.01-M requirements.

This course can be considered a second level entry course.  It is recommended that candidates taking this exam have completed the CompTIA A+ certification and possess at least 9 months of networking experience.

Microsoft Technology Associate

If you want to pursue your career in developing and supporting Microsoft products, the MTA or Microsoft Technology Associate certification is probably the most appropriate option to opt for. Microsoft offers several exams from which you can take your pick to earn your MTA. That being said, you would have the freedom to select your learning path from IT Infrastructure, Development or Databases.  It’s important to note that this certification acts as an independent fundamentals course and won’t qualify you for any advanced level certifications.

Cisco Certified Technicians (CCT)

This entry level Cisco Certification trains candidates with the skills to diagnose, repair, restore and replace critical Cisco networking and system devices at customer sites.  Professionals work closely with the Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) to effectively and efficiently resolve support incidents.

There are no prerequisites for this course and authorized training is available online.  Cisco Certified Technician (CCT) certification can be taken in multiple technology tracks, and this provides the opportunity for Cisco support technicians to expand their area of expertise.

Candidates can take the 010-151 DCTECH exam to qualify for the Cisco CCT Data Center certification, or take the 640-692 RSTECH exam to qualify for the Cisco CCT Routing and Switching certification.

CCNA Routing and Switching

CCNA (Cisco Certified Networking Associate) Routing & Switching certification establishes the proficiency of the holder in Cisco router and switch planning, installation, configuration as well as troubleshooting.  Candidates will be equipped with the foundational knowledge of the technologies, and will stay abreast of the skillsets needed for the adoption of next generation technologies.  There are no prerequisites for candidates interested in the CCNA certification. This makes CCNA an attractive entry level course for individuals who want to start a career as a data center networking professional.

VMware Certified Associate 6 – Data Center Virtualization (VCA6 – DCV)

The VCA (VMware Certified Associate) teaches candidates to define the technical requirements for data center virtualization, differentiate and describe vSphere related technologies and products, identify common use cases and how to address them.  In addition, you will learn how to use vSphere web client to perform operational tasks.  This certification focuses on helping candidates develop their understanding of basic virtualization technology and appropriate application of this knowledge to VMware products.

There are no prerequisites for this course however, knowledge of data center virtualization fundamentals would be useful.  Candidates are required to pass the VMWare 1V0-621 exam to achieve this qualification

Conclusion

Having a globally accepted certification is a sure-fire method to make advancements in your IT career.  To get a breakthrough in today’s IT landscape, your best bet is to validate your knowledge and skills through a cautiously selected combination of certifications.

Now that you know about some of the top certifications that would surely help you make progress in your career in IT, what’s stopping you?  If you’ve decided to leave your existing job and start afresh, it’s the ideal time to get a certification from the ones listed above and join the IT industry with confidence.