If you are thinking about a career in the information technology (IT) industry, the quickest way to get your foot in the door with an entry-level job is by earning IT certifications. But there are so many different certifications out there, it’s hard to know which ones to start with. You don’t have to wonder anymore. To help you know where to begin, we’ve put together a list of the first five IT certifications newcomers should work to earn.

Are you a recent graduate looking to enter into the IT world or maybe you are somebody that is considering a career change into a more in demand field? Are you someone who can think logically as well as creatively? More and more technology employers in the D.C., Maryland and Virginia area are looking for candidates that possess solid computer abilities as well as industry certifications.

Computer Networks Explained: How Devices Connect, Share Data, and Reach the Internet

Last updated: 2026

Changing careers into information technology is not about memorizing every acronym before you apply for your first job. It is about proving you can solve beginner technical problems, explain what you did, and keep learning when the first answer does not work.