What are the Best Entry-Level and Intermediate IT Certifications?

Posted by Kelly Grant, Senior IT Recruiter

Tech companies want employees with the latest knowledge and skills, and IT certifications demonstrate a person’s mastery of an IT technology or practice. Certifications also show a dedication to the profession and a desire to stay up-to-date on the latest innovations.

I read an article by Robert Half about the most valuable IT certifications in today’s tech job market. https://www.roberthalf.com/blog/salaries-and-skills/which-it-certifications-are-most-valuable

According to the article, if you are an entry-level, or intermediate IT professional, the following are some of the most valuable certifications to earn in today’s job market:

“CompTIA issues certifications for a variety of technologies and platforms, but one stands above the rest in terms of value to IT pros:”

• “CompTIA A+: Get started in IT with this foundational certificate. It’s all about hardware, technical support and troubleshooting. It also covers best practices in security, networking, operational procedures, mobile devices and various operating systems.”

The article states the most valuable Microsoft certifications include:

• “Microsoft Office Specialist: The MOS, MOS Expert and MOS Master certifications show your competence level in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Access, SharePoint, OneNote and Exchange. They’re not just for administrative professionals — these certifications are also helpful for IT workers in cloud computing and general tech support.”
• “Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: MCSE certifications come in several specializations and show that you have the skills to manage servers, data systems, storage, private clouds, networking and more, depending on which ones you successfully complete.”
• “Microsoft Certified Solution Developer: Getting the MCSD certification shows that you have what it takes to design and create apps across a wide range of Windows products.”

“As Cisco is a leading provider of infrastructure products, a certificate from this company confirms that the holder is prepared for the latest developments and best practices in networking. The most essential are:”

• “Cisco Certified Network Associate: A step up from Cisco’s entry-level certification, CCNAs can specialize in one of the following areas: cloud, collaboration, cyber operations, data center, industrial/IoT, routing and switching, security, service provider, and wireless.”
• “Cisco Certified Network Professional: A step up from the associate level, the CCNP is a more advanced IT certificate in one of the above specialty areas.”

Some companies, including TCC, pay for professional development for employees, which makes earning a certification affordable, and a great way to expand your skill set, pave the way for advancement, and stand out from the crowd when looking for a new position.

To learn more about TCC please visit our website https://www.e-tcc.com/who-we-are.