Being a successful IT pro means keeping pace with everything that changes and evolves so you can make the right decisions for your organization. If you’ve ever been at a loss for words when asked to compare two new technologies or your stomach has dropped when seeing the names of tools you’re unfamiliar with, it may be time to update your IT skill set. The good news is that there are a number of ways to keep your finger on the pulse of all things tech.
Signs Your IT Skills May Need a Refresh
If you can relate to any of the following, it may be time to give your IT skills some TLC:
Coworkers who have less seniority and experience than you are now your supervisors.
You don’t feel confident at work.
If you are a private contractor, you’re being passed over for the cool jobs you want most.
You aren’t getting the endorsements on LinkedIn you need.
You haven’t gotten a promotion in years despite wanting one.
You often find yourself asking your coworkers for help.
Your coworkers rarely ask you for help.
Woods, who mentors a lot of tech hopefuls, said the question he hears most often related to IT jobs is, “Do I have to get a degree or can I go to a tech school or get a certification to get a good job?” He points people to certifications first. “Get the CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ as the baseline and then move from there,” is his advice.
“It’s a shift and a mindset change,” Woods said. “There’s nothing wrong with a four-year degree or a two-year degree, but let’s look at certifications as a stepping stone.”
According to a new whitepaper on the Impact of Certifications and Training on Career Milestones, IT professionals who are certified before their first position are 50% more likely to get a promotion within one year of first being hired than people who have never certified and are promoted almost twice as often as noncertified IT professionals.
To address the skills gap in IT, Woods said the whole industry needs to share the message that a four-year degree isn’t required to develop a technology career. “It’s important—very important—that we, all of us in this room, have a vested interested in doing that. It’s going to really do some game-changing things to make this happen.”
More Info: comptia a+ jobs
Signs Your IT Skills May Need a Refresh
If you can relate to any of the following, it may be time to give your IT skills some TLC:
Coworkers who have less seniority and experience than you are now your supervisors.
You don’t feel confident at work.
If you are a private contractor, you’re being passed over for the cool jobs you want most.
You aren’t getting the endorsements on LinkedIn you need.
You haven’t gotten a promotion in years despite wanting one.
You often find yourself asking your coworkers for help.
Your coworkers rarely ask you for help.
Woods, who mentors a lot of tech hopefuls, said the question he hears most often related to IT jobs is, “Do I have to get a degree or can I go to a tech school or get a certification to get a good job?” He points people to certifications first. “Get the CompTIA A+, Network+ and Security+ as the baseline and then move from there,” is his advice.
“It’s a shift and a mindset change,” Woods said. “There’s nothing wrong with a four-year degree or a two-year degree, but let’s look at certifications as a stepping stone.”
According to a new whitepaper on the Impact of Certifications and Training on Career Milestones, IT professionals who are certified before their first position are 50% more likely to get a promotion within one year of first being hired than people who have never certified and are promoted almost twice as often as noncertified IT professionals.
To address the skills gap in IT, Woods said the whole industry needs to share the message that a four-year degree isn’t required to develop a technology career. “It’s important—very important—that we, all of us in this room, have a vested interested in doing that. It’s going to really do some game-changing things to make this happen.”
More Info: comptia a+ jobs
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