TrainACE - IT and Cybersecurity Training Blog

Starting a career in IT isn't always straightforward, especially for people looking to transition careers. But, with the perpetual technical talent gap and the ever-increasing need for IT professionals, there has never been a better time to pursue a career in this field. In this article, we'll explore the benefits and challenges of starting a career in IT and provide some helpful tips for success.

When it comes to building a long-lasting and successful career, there are few industries that offer the exciting opportunities and financial rewards available in Information Technology (IT). But as with all good things, those rewards take time and experience to attain. To succeed in the IT world, you need experience and certifications.

While you can build a technology career without certifications, you will find it much slower and much harder. So, why are certifications so important, and where do you start? In this article, we’ll dive into CompTIA’s A+ certification and how it can help you create a strong foundation from which to build a successful IT career.

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.

Cybersecurity is a thriving field in the IT industry. It’s no wonder that so many people are interested in beginning a career in this specialized IT area. As threats and cyberattacks continue to increase, as well as the number of devices that are used today, businesses are looking for cybersecurity employees to help protect their digital assets and sensitive information from cyber criminals. They are seeking qualified and certified professionals to fill a deluge of open positions.

Candidates that have the CompTIA A+ entry-level certification typically have an easier time getting jobs than those who are not certified. This is true all over the country, not just in Maryland and the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Employers and IT recruiters often make it a point (sometimes a requirement) to seek out candidates who have the CompTIA A+ certification. This credential lets them know that you have the knowledge and skills they require for various IT positions. In the metro D.C area, there are various jobs that require candidates to have an A+ certification.

To become CompTIA A+ certified, there are two exams that you must take and pass. These exams are much like any other written test you may have taken in the past. The exams each contain different types of questions that are used to validate your knowledge in specific areas. It’s difficult to say how hard the exams are, because every test-taker has a different level of IT experience, knowledge, and skills. Further, individuals may have a different way of approaching exams and a different level of anxiety about test-taking.

When you first jumped into Healthcare as a career, you loved the pay, job security, and the fact that you were helping people. But as time moves on, you're finding the demanding workload and physical demands are starting to get too much. Plus, you hear a lot of good things from your friends working in IT and cybersecurity.

CompTIA A+ certification remains one of the most popular IT qualifications available – and with good reason. This introductory-level certification focuses on identifying and troubleshooting common IT problems faced by organizations, making trained professionals indispensable as businesses must integrate new technology and ensure current deployments are working as intended to own their market space and get ahead of the competition.

Looking for a technology career in the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) areas? There is no shortage of open positions as big tech “takes off” in this area and companies look to expand their IT impact.

Many people start their IT career with an A+ certification. Naturally, people have a lot of questions about it. Here’s some common ones we receive- and some helpful answers.