TrainACE - IT and Cybersecurity Training Blog

It’s a question we hear a lot here at TrainACE – Can I get into IT without a degree?

In short, yes you can. An increasing percentage of successful IT professionals have built their careers on their experience, and by obtaining professional certifications, rather than taking a four-year degree. Professional IT certifications cover a wide range of topics in a focused way, and many can be obtained relatively quickly. Increasingly employers in Maryland are looking for people with specific skill sets and are relying on certifications to assess an individual’s skills and knowledge.

Let’s explore how you can get into IT without a degree.

CompTIA certifications are globally recognized and highly sought-after credentials, and Security+ is considered by many to be an essential cybersecurity certification. Information technology professionals who earn the CompTIA Security+ certification are in high demand worldwide by many large corporations and organizations. In Washington, D.C., where many businesses are headquartered, there is a huge need for cybersecurity professionals to fill the hundreds of available job roles.

Each year, there are more cybersecurity attacks than the year before. As a result, organizations are allocating more of their IT budgets to increase security, which leads to the need to hire more cybersecurity professionals to help protect their data and systems. In the metropolitan Washington, DC area, there are hundreds of open positions for cybersecurity experts and not enough qualified candidates to fill them. So, what are the benefits of security+ certification?  

As a network engineer in Washington, D.C., you will be in the heart of the country and the IT industry. The duties of someone in this role are wide-ranging and can be very complex. Putting it simply, a network engineer is responsible for building and maintaining the daily operations of an organization’s computer networks, including an intranet, extranet, wide area network (WAN), and local area network (LAN). However, there isn’t a typical day for a network engineer, and you never know what will come up.

CompTIA certifications are some of the most sought-after credentials worldwide. The Network+ certification is an entry-level designation that validates your proficiency in managing, maintaining, installing, troubleshooting, and configuring necessary network infrastructures. Like other certifications, Network+ requires that you pass a certification exam to earn your credential. While this certification is a beginner-level credential, it doesn’t mean the exam will be easy. It requires that you study sufficiently and that you have the necessary knowledge and skills if you want to pass.

Professionals in the IT industry are in demand in Washington, D.C. and around the world. In fact, the current demand far outweighs the candidate pool for many IT roles. One of the first things that hiring managers look for in potential new hires is their certifications. The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is one of the most well-known and trusted certifying agencies for IT professionals, offering many certifications including the Network+ and Security+ credentials.

A Network+ certification from the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) proves that you have the knowledge and skills to design, configure, manage, and troubleshoot both wired and wireless networks. This certification is a globally recognized credential that is highly sought after all over the world. Not only will the Network+ certification boost your employability and job opportunities, but many of the jobs that it makes you qualified for offer lucrative salaries, especially in the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. area. Metropolitan D.C. typically offers higher salaries for IT roles than the rest of the country, and the CompTIA Network+ certification can help you land one.

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) introduced the Network+ certification more than two decades ago, and it has continued to be one of the most recognized and sought-after credentials in the IT industry since then. The certification tests the skills of IT professionals who have some prior experience with networking that is required to work on network design and implementation.

You've learned about the exciting possibilities of a career in IT and are looking to jump in. You have some computer experience but need a qualification to help you get the entry-level role you need to get started. So, let us break-down Cisco's CCNA certification and the CCNA entry level jobs you can expect to get once you have it.

The Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP) certification program underwent some changes earlier this year. It now encompasses two exams, one that tests your core networking skills, and a second that tests your knowledge in a concentration area of your choice. Earning the CCNP credential means that you have successfully passed both exams.