With 2019 close to an end, it’s high time that we prepare for 2020.
If you’re in the IT industry, or you’re playing to get into it by next year, then we’ve got good news for you. There’s plenty of jobs available in the IT industry. But, the catch is, you’ll have to have the necessary skills and certifications to apply. Without them, companies won’t even look at your resume, let alone consider it.
If you want to start your 2020 off the right way, you may want to invest in these IT skills and certifications as soon as today.
1. Project Management
Project planning and management are more crucial today than ever before. With so many IT projects getting off the ground, the difference between successful completion and encountering one roadblock after another is a project manager that knows how to create and execute the proper strategy.
It is a project manager’s job to show to shareholders that company projects are proceeding as planned. Effective communication and leadership skills are a definite must in order to oversee a project properly and see it to completion.
The Project Management Professional (PMP) training will grant you with the knowledge you need as a project manager, such as scope, schedule, cost and the like. Receiving PMP certification is tangible proof that you have a basic understanding of project management and will make you valuable worldwide within the industry.
You can also opt for PRojects IN Controlled Environments (PRINCE2) training which has a slightly different methodology. Unlike PMP, you would be taking part in a more process-based training to understand the best practices you can take up in a particular situation. It integrates several IT frameworks, including ITIL, which makes it more relevant in a more technology-driven business.
To choose between the two, it would be best to figure out the industry that you would like to pursue a career in.
2. Cybersecurity
Security is a top concern in the IT industry, and with that, competent cybersecurity experts who can identify key weaknesses and vulnerabilities within organizations are highly sought after and well-paid all over the world. They are required to improve any areas that are deemed vulnerable.
Getting a CEH certification, which stands for Certified Ethical Hacker, will allow you to take advantage of this growing demand for IT cybersecurity specialists. Or if you would like to design and implement the cybersecurity framework for businesses, you can opt for the CISSP certification.
3. Service Desk and Tech Support
As companies rely more and more on using hardware and software to handle their day-to-day operations, having at least an ITIL 4 certification becomes a no-brainer for IT professionals.
Gone are the days when IT professionals were outsourced and contractual. Although this still does happen, more and more companies are bringing professionals in-house for better and more immediate support.
Jumpstart Your IT Career in 2020
The IT industry has been growing steadily over the past few years. And it’s only going to get bigger.
More and more companies are starting to realize the importance of hiring skilled and certified IT professionals. Even if it’s still possible to land a job with “only” a degree, you’ll have a hard time receiving salary increases, bonuses, and even promotions.
In the IT industry, skills and certifications are paramount to success. By equipping yourself with relevant certifications by 2020, you ensure that you’ll find yourself in a well-paying and stable job for the foreseeable future.
