08/19/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 08/19/2024 08:39
If you're thinking about launching a career in information technology, now's a great time to make your move. The need for tech professionals is on the rise with high demand in tech jobs including technical support, cybersecurity, computer networking, machine learning, data science and data analytics, cloud computing, and many others. The best part? You likely already have valuable transferable skills that will help you succeed in IT.
Whether you're new to the workforce or are a career switcher, a tech career can help you shape your life the way you want thanks to competitive salaries, work-life balance, and other great benefits.
Of course, to pursue a tech career path, you'll need some technical training to begin developing your tech skills. Having basic computing skills will help you establish your foundational knowledge in the field, allowing you to narrow down and develop more specialized tech skills. This technical training aside, don't dismiss your transferrable soft skills that are critical in nearly every tech role, especially entry-level roles.
If you're like many people who are new to the field, you might be feeling overwhelmed about information technology training, and might not be sure about the best way to navigate a learning path. In today's digital age, knowledge has never been more accessible, and there are many free and affordable ways to get the tech training needed for a new career.
Tech is vast, with many different facets, skills, and specialties. Still, you should be familiar with fundamental tech skills. For example, you should familiarize yourself with the standard operating systems, including Mac OS, iOS, Windows, Chrome OS, Android, and Linux OS. Everything in tech happens on these platforms and you must understand how these computer systems work before anything else.
When you're ready, CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for getting into tech and touches on the operating systems listed above while covering the learning objectives listed below. Becoming CompTIA A+ certified validates your skills and knowledge to employers, allowing you to get your foot in the door.
You'll cover the following topics in your introduction to information technology self-study program:
Hardware: How to identify, use and connect components
Software troubleshooting: How to troubleshoot common OS, malware and security issues
Networking: How to explain types of networks and connections
Troubleshooting: How to troubleshoot hardware and network issues
Security: How to identify and protect against security vulnerabilities
Mobile devices: How to install and configure laptops and other mobile devices
Virtualization and cloud computing: How to compare concepts
Operational procedures: How to follow best practices
When you've mastered the tech basics, you will be qualified to work at a help desk in a technical support role - a common entry-level tech job. You could also qualify to work in a tech project management role if you already have the fundamental skills related to project management.
Entry-level tech jobs are competitive, and employers are increasingly recognizing the value and importance of certifications. Tech certifications allow you to stand out from other candidates and help you gain the skills you need for the job.
Ready to see where your skills can take you? Take our free career quiz to match your skills and personality to the right tech job.
While there are plenty of tech courses for beginners, you can also learn tech on your own. The biggest benefit to undergoing information technology training on your own is that you'll have control over how you learn, what you learn, and at what pace. Typically, learning on your own is a lot faster (and more cost-effective) than enrolling in a standard degree program or online tech courses at your nearby college or university.
Additionally, while earning a four-year degree in computer science or information systems is valuable, it's not always necessary, especially since computer technology can quickly outpace curriculums. If you choose the right training solutions, you can quickly gain the tech skills employers are looking for. These new skills paired with some hands-on experiences may help get you an interview and eventually land you your first job.
There are a few ways you can learn tech on your own - and many of them include expert instruction and support. You could participate in a specialized information technology course online, you could self-study with tutorials and study guides, or you could earn a tech certification. The best solution is likely a combination of all three methods.
At CompTIA, our CertMaster training solutions help you learn the skills you need to succeed. As a global leader in tech skills development and education, you'll have access to tech resources that cater to your unique learning styles and specific job roles and skill sets. Through hands-on skills development, simulation labs, practice questions, and more, you can learn what you want, how you want, at a pace that works for you.
There are plenty of tech courses you can take either in person or online to learn specific skills like programming languages, software development, cloud computing, and computer networking.
CompTIA Live Online Training is an instructor-led program that brings the classroom experience to you. Live Online Training students receive hands-on test preparation from industry-leading instructors while also being able to engage and discuss materials with peers in real-time. Beginner classes include studying toward CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+ and, CompTIA Security+ certification.
CompTIA's broad range of training and certification offerings allow you to dive into specific job roles and skill sets. Our comprehensive self-paced training options include:
CompTIA CertMaster Learn is a comprehensive, self-paced eLearning environment that uses videos, assessments, and performance-based questions to prepare candidates for their certification exams.
CompTIA CertMaster Labs helps learners gain hands-on experience configuring a wide range of technologies in a self-paced, pre-configured browser-based environment in order to prepare for practical aspects of the exams.
CompTIA CertMaster Practice is an adaptive knowledge assessment tool that determines what a learner has already mastered and what they still need to learn to improve confidence and increase retention before the exam.
Since there are so many options to build in-demand skills, finding the right course may be the hardest part. Take your time to do your homework and make sure the course you enroll in will meet your objectives.
There are unlimited tech raining course options, and the resources you can find online are equally overwhelming. Learning via tutorials and study guides is probably the most universal approach, as we've all encountered this learning style in high school.
There are also some helpful options to be found on YouTube or Reddit. These are great places to see what tech pros recommend based on their own learning experiences. The key here is to make sure the content you are using is up-to-date and relevant. You don't want to waste your time studying outdated material. Because of this, CompTIA exams and study guides are updated every three years to keep the content of exams fresh and aligned with the ever-changing nature of the technology industry.
Studying toward a tech certification is a great choice for two reasons:
It provides direction -- Self-studying for a tech certification provides you with a roadmap that guides you to learn the different concepts and scenarios that will be on the exam. You don't have to worry about studying outdated material or ending up in a class that doesn't suit your needs. CompTIA certifications also align with specific job roles like data management and system administrator so you can choose the training and certification that will prepare you for the job you want.
You walk away with a certification in hand -- After you complete your training and successfully pass your certification exam, you'll have tangible proof of your skills. CompTIA certifications validate your skills to potential employers, preparing you with the technical skills you need to meet today's job demands. According to CompTIA's Workforce and Learning Trends 2024 report, about half of HR professionals say a skills-based approach to hiring is a "new and compelling strategy."
CompTIA certifications are vendor-neutral, meaning you can develop in-demand technical skills that can be applied to a range of devices and systems. For example, with CompTIA A+, you can prove you have a broad set of skills applicable to any vendor platform.
There's no shortage of good study materials out there to help you learn tech on your own. But keep in mind that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
When enrolling in IT classes online, make sure the tech classes you select meet your needs. Do the classes teach the skills you need to get the job you want? Are they offered by a reputable source that potential employers will recognize? Don't just jump in headfirst without doing some leg work to find these things out.
When choosing tutorials and study guides, make sure the content is up-to-date. You can do this by checking the publication date. As a rule of thumb, if it's more than 3 years old, you might want to reconsider. And while free materials are great, some of the best content comes with a price - keep that in mind.
When studying for a tech certification, first choose a certification based on your desired job role and responsibilities. Then, keep your eye out for any study materials that offer a money-back guarantee or claim to include real test questions - as these are considered cheating.
Official CompTIA training solutions, such as CertMaster, are designed with the certification exam in mind, so you can be sure you're learning what you'll need to know for your exam and your career. For example, CertMaster Practice helps you identify and fill knowledge gaps so you're much more confident when you go into your certification exam.
Doing your research, finding the right materials to learn about tech, and sticking to your study plan are essential if you want to learn tech on your own. Whether you want to be a tech support specialist, networking specialist, cybersecurity specialist, programmer or data specialist, you have what it takes to get started in an exciting career in tech. With the right self-study plan, you could find yourself in a new career in information technology in a matter of months!
Success starts with you. Plan your path in tech with our Tech Career Path Planning Tool. Discover exciting tech roles and create a learning path to prepare for them.