An IT certification is a credential awarded to students who have demonstrated their knowledge and proficiency in a specific area of information technology. IT certifications recognize your proficiency in cybersecurity, software engineering, cloud engineering, and other critical information technology sectors.
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville — in partnership with QuickStart — offers certification programs for learners interested in cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data analytics careers.
Among other benefits, an IT certification program can help aspiring and current IT professionals enhance their employability, expand their skills, secure job stability, earn industry validation, and increase their earning potential. Let’s explore how a UTK IT certification unlocks these benefits and accelerates your career in technology.
1. Enhanced Employability for Career Advancement
Standing out can be challenging in today’s competitive IT job market. IT certification programs can give you the visibility you deserve, validating your skills and expertise and making you more attractive to potential employers.
As an example, an IT professional who completes the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification can officially demonstrate their knowledge of cloud computing concepts. They become even more proficient in the cloud skills modern IT employers want, including cloud architecture and security.
This individual also becomes eligible for a wide range of entry-level cloud careers, in cloud engineering and other roles, that use the Amazon Web Services cloud infrastructure. This positions IT professions for wider employability and career advancement, paving the way for roles with even greater responsibility.
Listen to UT Knoxville’s Center for Professional Education & Lifelong Learning (CPELL) Director, Darrin Devault, speak about how education doesn't need to be a linear path. It's all about lifelong learning! (From QuickStart + CPELL webinar on 9/25/24)
2. Expanded Knowledge and Skills
Preparing for IT certifications requires an extensive amount of study and hands-on practice. Certification programs are designed to cover a wide range of relevant topics, ensuring that candidates gain a thorough understanding of the subject matter. This involves engaging with various learning resources, including textbooks, online courses, and practice exams.
Many certification programs include practical labs and real-world scenarios that allow candidates to apply their theoretical knowledge in a controlled environment. This hands-on experience is invaluable, as it not only reinforces learning but also builds confidence in applying newly acquired skills in actual work settings.
Pursuing an IT certification is one of the best ways to deepen individual skills in specific IT areas of interest. This focused learning approach ensures that certified professionals are well-versed in the latest industry standards and best practices, making them more effective and efficient in their jobs.
For example, an IT professional pursuing the CompTIA Security+ certification will first participate in comprehensive training in fields like threat detection, risk management, and cryptography. Self-study, labs, and exam preparation modules will help prepare them for their certification exam — and applying those newfound skills in real-world IT environments.
3. Industry Recognition and Validation
Certifications from reputable organizations can significantly boost your credibility. They serve as a testament to your dedication to professional development. As you master specific skills and technologies, these certifications indicate your capability and reliability for future employers, clients, and peers.
Consider a data analyst who successfully completes the Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst Certification. This certification is awarded by Microsoft, one of the leading technology companies globally. It recognizes the individual's proficiency in using Power BI, a powerful business intelligence tool, to analyze and visualize data, create insightful reports, and make data-driven decisions.
This industry-recognized certification does more than prepare you for a pending career in IT. It also serves as validation of your expertise in the industry. Data analysts who pair this validation with a strong portfolio and client/employer recommendations position themselves well for long-term employment.
4. Increased Earning Potential
IT certifications — and professional certifications in general — can help improve your earning potential over time. They provide continuous upskilling, which makes you more valuable to your organization in ways that can lead to higher salaries and better job prospects.
Relevant certifications can increase your salary by as much as 20%. They also have a positive effect on job satisfaction and employee retention. These certifications not only open doors to career advancement opportunities; they also position you for promotions.
Professionals who hold a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification can earn a significantly higher salary compared to non-certified employees. For example, a project manager with this certification can earn a salary more than 20% higher than a project manager without this licensure.
This improved salary reflects the premium income potential for IT professionals who demonstrate mastery of their skills, best practices, and methodologies they implement each day.
5. Job Security and Stability
Certified IT professionals are often seen as valuable assets within their organizations. This improves their overall job stability, as companies increasingly depend on these individuals for guidance and leadership.
One of the primary ways IT certifications contribute to job security is by showcasing an individual's dedication to ongoing learning and professional growth. In an industry where technologies and methodologies evolve rapidly, staying current is crucial.
By pursuing and maintaining certifications, professionals signal to their employers that they are committed to keeping their skills and knowledge up to date. This commitment makes them more adaptable and better prepared to handle new challenges and advancements in their field.
In an era of frequent IT threats — where a single data breach can cost a company as much as $4.45 million — organizations of all sizes are investing heavily in protective cybersecurity measures. This makes cybersecurity a particularly attractive career field, particularly for certified IT professionals.
Cybersecurity professionals with certifications like the Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) credential can enhance their job security simply by demonstrating their proficiency in the space.
Get Your IT Career in Gear
IT certifications can significantly improve your earning potential, foundational skill set, job security, and overall earning potential. They verify your skills in particular, in-demand fields, while allowing you to stay on top of continually evolving IT sectors like cloud computing, cybersecurity, and software engineering.
Explore any QuickStart-powered bootcamp training program, in partnership with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, to launch the IT career you deserve. Whether you’re looking for your first IT career or your next IT home, consider a UTK IT certification to accelerate your path to a meaningful IT position.