IT Certification or 4-Year Degree: What Will Be Best for Me?

Are you interested in getting a job in IT? If this is the field that you want to work in, many companies do require that you have a 4-year degree or at the very least an IT certification. You may want to spend some time looking into companies that you may want to work for. From there, you can find out what their job requirements are for IT positions. This can help you figure out what type of degree or certifications you will need. For instance, some companies require their IT techs to be certified in multiple areas of IT. What is going to be the best for you?

Looking to Those Who Have Made the Most of Their Careers

Are you thinking about whether you will need a 4-year degree or an IT certification to work in the field of IT? If so, one of the things that would be best is to look at some of the people in this world who have made the most of their careers.

Have you ever heard of Elon Musk? Who hasn’t, right? From PayPal to Tesla Motors, everyone seems to know him. Elon Musk has said that someone doesn’t need to graduate from a top-notch college or university. They don’t even need to attend college or necessarily even graduate high school. Instead, he says that someone needs to show evidence that they have exceptional abilities. These are the things that will last a lifetime. Basically, this means that taking courses online and getting certified, it shows that you have amazing capabilities of being an IT professional.

What about Marc Zoukerburg - the co-founder of Facebook? Over time, he has shown that you don’t need to be a Harvard graduate to do great things in your life. He believes in reading and being a lifelong learner. If you have an interest in something read about it, continue to learn about that field, and do things that stimulate your life.

These are just some of the well-known people in this world who value skills over getting a degree. Many companies in the field of IT will say the same thing. They are looking for employees that can learn and retain skills. They are looking for employees that have a passion for continuing to learn - as the IT field is constantly changing.

IT is About Skills

It is all about skills. As just mentioned, this field is constantly changing. You must be able to learn new things.

Going to get a 4-year degree is an option. However, by the time you work through the general education courses and then into the IT courses, you won’t likely be up-to-date on everything that is happening in the field of IT. When going to college, it is also likely that you will still need to take additional courses or certifications to stay caught up in the field of IT.

Not only does college take 4 to 5 years to get a degree, but you will also be spending tens of thousands of dollars, just to get the job of your dreams. If you do want a college degree, you should begin with getting certifications. Then, when you get a job, many IT companies will pay part of the tuition for their employees to go to college. This can save you money in the long run.

It should also be noted that after you get your job in IT, following the process of getting certifications, you can take online classes to obtain a degree. This can help you to reach for the manager or CEO position (if that is your ultimate goal).

This is why it is best to start by getting IT certifications and get a degree later on (if that is what you desire). If you choose this route, you will not only be more skilled in IT, but you can ultimately earn more money than someone who decided to go to college for a 4-year degree first.

Getting Certifications in the IT Field

As previously mentioned, it is best to start by getting certifications in the field of IT. The good news is there are many different certifications that you can get. Since IT is all about your skillset and being able to highlight your skills when applying for jobs, certifications give you the option to do just that. They also cost less than getting a 4-year degree. It also usually takes under 1 year to get most certifications. Some of the certifications that you can take to become more skilled in the field of IT include the following:

• CompTIA Security+ Training
• Linux for Cyber Security
• CompTIA A+ Training
• Hands-On CompTIA Network+ Training
• CompTIA Linux+
• CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+)
• WordPress Hands-On Training
• Web Development
• Red Hat Systems Development
• Cyber Security Analyst/Incident Response
• CompTIA A+ and Security+ Bundle
• And more…

You can start with courses that begin with the basics if you don’t have any experience. You can always reach out to find which certifications are recommended for beginners. In addition, if you have certain IT topics that intrigue you, it would be a great idea to sign up for a certification in that area, too. For instance, if you want to learn more about security, the Cyber Security Analyst/Incident Response course would be a great option.

Conclusion

If you are interested in getting a job in the field of IT, you might be wondering whether you need a 4-year degree or an IT certification. If you look to many of the well-known and famous people in this world, they will recommend certifications over a degree. Not only that, but IT is based on skills and not necessarily years of basic education. The field of IT is changing all the time. Being able to take courses and get certifications can help you keep up-to-date in this field.

Check out the list of IT courses and certifications today and sign up for one that intrigues you.