Working in IT can mean anything from resolving an employee’s wifi issues to programming an organization’s new cloud infrastructure. Because the work is so diverse, the skills you need to know to get a job in the IT field can vary widely depending on your role. Key IT skills include cloud computing, programming, systems and networks. Read this article to learn about key IT skills for your career.
Information technology (IT) refers to the use of computer technology to solve business or organizational problems. We often think of IT in terms of the support specialists who help troubleshoot computer issues. But the field extends well beyond the help desk. Some of in-demand entry-level IT jobs include computer support specialist, web developer, systems administrator, systems analyst, cloud engineer, site reliability engineer, software developer, cybersecurity analyst, and database administrator. Read this article for details about these entry-level IT jobs.
An IT certification typically refers to a qualification you receive that shows your competency in a specific field of information technology (IT). To get a certification, you generally must pass an exam that tests your capabilities in the field. IT certifications can be beneficial whether you’re just starting or are established in your career and looking to progress. Read this article about essential IT certifications and certificates to learn more.
The certification you pursue will likely depend on your area of interest in IT, your experience level, and what the jobs you’re interested in require. If you’re currently in an IT role, you can ask your employer what skills will be most useful for you to learn.
If you’re just starting out in IT, a training program that will teach you the basics in a variety of IT fields and prepare you for a certification exam can be helpful. For example, Google IT Support Professional Certificate prepares you for the CompTIA A+, the industry standard certification for IT. For more information about how you can navigate IT certification paths, read this guide about IT certification roadmap.