IT certifications are an investment, so it’s only logical that you want to try for the ones with the most value in the job marketplace. Here’s an outlook on certifications in 2020.
IT certifications are quickly becoming essential for any IT professional looking for a new career, career advancement, or specialism. They are a statement of your skills and proficiency that employers and CEOs can use to hire or promote you accordingly. Some employers, such as the DOD, even require a setlist of certifications as a minimum to even get hired.
Put simply, more and more IT professionals are getting certified. Course costs aren’t cheap, but it is a minimal overall investment when compared to the benefits to your career.
Still, you want to make sure you get the most out of your initial investment, right? With this in mind, in this article, we’ll be looking at what will be some of the most valuable IT certifications of 2020.
The Most Valuable IT Certifications for 2023
The 10 best IT certifications across all skill levels and specialties are:
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
- CompTIA A+
- Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)
- ITIL
- MCSE Core Infrastructure
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
Now, let’s break down this year’s top certifications into sectors and learn more about them.
The Top Entry-Level – Intermediate Certifications
Sometimes the top way to push your IT career forward quickly when you’ve just graduated or are just starting out is to get certified.
Certifications can help you advance your skills as well as specialize in mode in-demand topics.
CompTIA Certifications
CompTIA offers a range of certifications with its three most popular being A+ Essentials, Network+, and Security+. The one which stands out most and is most popular in 2020 is the A+ Essentials certification.
This is because it offers foundational knowledge such as hardware, tech support, as well as security practices, operating procedures and more. Put simply, if you’re entry-level it’ll teach you everything you need to know.
MCP: Microsoft Certified Professional Certifications
For those looking to keep their focus firmly on Microsoft systems, MCP certifications can be a great place to start. Probably the most useful for beginners is the Microsoft Office Specialist certifications, as these get you familiar with Microsoft’s programs such as Word, Excel, Outlook, and so on.
These can be great for administrators and general tech support workers. Microsoft’s more intermediate level courses include MCSE courses and MCA courses.
You can view all Microsoft Certifications by job role, using one of the following links:
Cisco Certifications
The final option in the entry-level power trio is Cisco. Cisco is the leader in infrastructure products and focuses on up to date developments and networking. Their most essential courses include:
- Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
Most Valued Security Certifications
Only set to increase in demand, IT security professionals are always likely to find employment. Some of the most valued certifications, such as CISSP and CEH, are required by the DOD for all technical staff and have applications worldwide.
Listed below are some of the most useful and valued certifications to gain in this field.
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) – is the creation of the EC-Council and is required for many cybersecurity roles such as a cyber forensics analyst. It was designed with the mindset that to catch a hacker you need to think like a hacker and focuses largely on white hat hacking.
- Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) – is probably the most sought-after cybersecurity certification and is recognized worldwide.
- Global Information Assurance Certifications – (GIAC) qualifications come in many categories and levels, such as cyber defense and incident response. The highest level of qualification is the GIAC Security Expert.
Most Valued Certifications for Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is quickly becoming the industry standard, which opens up new job roles and specialties which can lead to high salaries quickly. These qualifications are often vendor-specific such as those for Microsoft, VMware, and Amazon. Some of the top certifications in this growing area include:
- CompTIA Cloud Essentials/Comptia Cloud+ – which covers the essentials in navigating and working with cloud platforms
- MCE Azure Solutions Architect – is a Microsoft certification designed for those working with Microsoft Azure and related systems
- VMware Certified Professional 6 – Data Center Virtualization is for those working with VMware.
- AWS Certified Solutions Architect and Professional – for those working with Amazon’s software. Amazon is currently the biggest provider of cloud computing software and services.
Most Valued Certifications for Database/Big Data/Analytics
BI reporting and other data engineering will always be popular for companies that are looking to get an edge on their competitors. Like cloud services, the certifications that are most valued tend to focus on specific platforms.
- Microsoft SQL Server Certifications – which are probably the most popular choice, focus on BI, data management, administration, and more.
- CCIE Data Center – Cisco certified, is another popular choice.
- SAP Certified Technology Associate – SAP HANA 2.0 is specific to working with SAP database technology.
- Oracle Certified Professional – which is provided by Oracle, the world’s leading database provider.
While it can be tempting to go for the certifications with the highest pay, be sure to focus on the certifications that also further your personal career goals. By finding a highly valued certification that fits in with your goals, you’ll be able to make impressive progress in your career in 2020!
Related Resources
- Best Digital Marketing Certifications – Top online marketing certifications to pursue in 2020.