Whether you are fresh out of high school or still in college, you can already start building your IT career with the help of certifications. IT certifications require you to invest some time and money.
However, they will get you the knowledge and credentials you need to quickly find a job in the field.
So, let’s talk about some benefits certifications can bring to your future career:
6 Reasons You Should Get IT Certifications
1. Certifications Are Cheaper and Quicker Than College
Of course, getting a college degree is valuable in the long term. However, in the IT industry, a degree is not necessary to find employment.
In fact, many employers are more interested in your practical skills and experience than a degree.
Certifications help you concentrate on specific skills you want to develop. Moreover, all classes, simulations, and labs you take are designed to help you gain the experience employers usually look for.
So, instead of spending two to four years in college, you can spend six months to one year honing the one skill you want to become an expert in.
Even better — some of the courses last only six to eight weeks!
Furthermore, one of the most enticing benefits of investing in certificates is the cost. Getting a college degree is really expensive.
The average tuition in the US is $35,720 per year, and for a master’s degree program, it can range between $30,000 and $120,000.
On the other hand, most certificates cost around $500 to $600. However, that is just the average. Depending on what certification you require, prices can be anywhere between $200 and $15,000.
But in some cases, you can even get free access to all the lectures, discussions, and assignments.
2. They Offer a Flexible Learning Schedule
Due to the global pandemic, more and more certifications have an online option. Additionally, they offer a flexible learning schedule.
Such an opportunity allows you to take classes after you get home from college or work, on the weekends, or during breaks, and go at your own pace.
Hence, you can easily fit them right in, no matter how many tasks you handle on a daily or weekly level.
3. Certifications Could Get You a Head Start While Still at College
As a student, getting an IT certification can give you an edge over your peers when applying for a job.
So, while still in university, you can acquire a few entry-level certifications and get a headstart. Some colleges even award credits for them, therefore, you can work on your career while earning college credits at the same time.
Another career option is to acquire a few entry-level certifications and find a job in the desired field of the IT industry.
Later on, you can go back to school, finish your degree, and obtain a couple more certifications. That way, while your peers are just starting out as rookies, you will already have a few years of experience.
4. It’s Easier to Get Interviews
When it comes to job interviews, among a huge number of applicants, the ones who have experience or different certifications will undoubtedly get the recruiters’ attention.
But since you are still a student or fresh out of college, you most likely don’t have plenty of job experience.
In that case, certifications can make all the difference. Why? Because they show that you were willing to go the extra mile to gain new knowledge and skills.
Moreover, such credentials serve as third-party verification of your competence. Globally recognized certifications show your future employers that you are a good investment.
Furthermore, they prove you are dedicated and passionate about what you do. If you’re willing to spend your free time improving your skills, it means you’ll be a serious and reliable employee.
Besides, when you get called back for a second interview, certifications will serve as your leverage against other applicants who might have more experience than you.
5. Certifications Will Help You Grow
Another important benefit of earning certifications is that you get to discover where your true talents lie.
That way, you can know as early as your college days which IT department is the most suitable for you and further pursue your career in that direction.
Also, in the long run, it will make you happier and more fulfilled to do the kind of job you are good at.
IT is a field that is constantly growing and evolving. So, there are always additional skills you can acquire.
Certifications can get you on top of everything new that pops up in your sector. Also, continually investing in them will give you the satisfaction of picking up a new skill.
6. Certifications Grant You Access to Higher Salaries and More Interesting Work
Without a doubt, certifications will help you earn more simply by allowing you to apply for better positions and quickly advance in your career.
Research conducted by Georgetown University’s Center on Education found that men who hold computer or information services certificates earn almost $72,500 a year.
About 72% of them had an associate degree, while 54% held a bachelor’s degree.
So, if a good salary is what you are after, you can acquire, for example, one of the best cloud computing certifications since cloud computing experts get paid $117,041 a year on average.
Final Thoughts
If you are still a student, investing in certifications can have lots of benefits. For instance, they allow you to focus on developing a particular set of skills and gain valuable experience in the field.
This knowledge can help you get a job more quickly and speed you up to a position that pays better later on.
Therefore, with certifications, you can start building your career and acquiring experience even before you graduate.
