Have you found yourself looking at job postings for Information Technology positions only to find long lists of required certifications? The IT industry is full of possible paths for education and specialization, and the lines upon lines of required certifications can seem daunting.

When you are just getting started, perhaps right out of school or during a career transition, you may find yourself asking where you should begin.

What IT certifications should I get?

While we are talking about IT certifications, one thing is certain: there is no “right” way to make your way through this industry. That means the education path you take may be vastly different than that of your peers, even if the outcome for you is the same.

I spend a lot of time looking for new technical talent, and I have seen the patterns that have made successful candidates. Again, there is no right or wrong way to get started, but what I’ve assembled below is what I think is the best path for beginners who are just starting out, and will demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning and self-improvement to anyone who might hire you.

CompTIA A+

CompTIA’s A+ certification has long been the starting point for entry-level technicians. Technology changes fast, and while the A+ can at times lag behind the trends, CompTIA has done a good job of keeping the test more up-to-date in recent years.

The A+ is very much focused on the Desktop Support portion of the IT industry. Even if this isn’t your long term goal, it is likely where you will begin on your way to becoming a Systems Administrator, Network Engineer, or DevOps specialist. Other topics are covered at a higher level, such as virtualization and security, but there is clearly a path towards Desktop Support in mind.

A+ certification requires you to pass two separate exams. At the time of this writing, the exam codes are 220-901 and 220-902.

Is the CompTIA A+ worth it?

Unless you already have a few years of experience, I think the A+ is a worthwhile certification. It gives you a framework by which you can learn something as broad and dynamic as Information Technology.

If you are still in school and are planning to join the workforce soon, I recommend working towards the A+ now. Sure, that means more studying on top of your current schoolwork, but having the A+ prior to getting your first IT job will set you apart from the competition.

CompTIA Network+

I remember that when I took the “big three” CompTIA exams years ago, I found that the Network+ was the most interesting and most informative. While some topics like subnetting, binary and hexadecimal math, and the OSI model can get tedious, learning about the technology that underpins all other technology wads very interesting.

The Network+ is more “advanced” than the A+, but the A+ is not a prerequisite. If you have some experience and are already comfortable with the topics covered in the A+, then jumping straight into the Network+ is an option.

The Network+ certification requires passing one exam, which at the time of this writing has the exam code of N10-007.

Is the Network+ worth it?

If you are early on in your career, then I say absolutely. That said, if you have already moved on to vendor-specific networking certifications, such as Cisco’s CCENT or CCNA, then the material covered in the Network+ will be largely redundant, and the value it provides you when searching for a job will be minimal.

CompTIA Security+

Of the three CompTIA certifications covered here, the Secuirty+ is the most respected throughout the industry. It is often required for Information Technology positions within the Federal Government, or with government contractors.

As indicated in its name, the CompTIA Security+ exam covers the topic of Information Security. This is often at a high level, covering subjects such as encryption, risk management, threat analysis, and best practices.

Achieving the CompTIA Security+ certification requires passing a single exam, which as of the time of this writing has the exam code of SY0-501.

Why should you consider the CompTIA Security+ certification?

Information Security is a huge field unto itself, and it overlaps with every other IT specialty. Security is an enormous concern for organizations around the world, and demonstrating that you not only have an interest in security best practices but have become versed in them will be a positive differentiator for you in your job search.

Is the Security+ certification worth it?

If you have no other Information Security certifications, then the CompTIA Security+ is the perfect starting point. It will provide you with the information you need to have an understanding of Information Security practices, regardless of whether you choose to specialize in that subject or not.

That said, if you have already achieved other certifications, such as the CCNA Security, or the SSCP, then the Security+ may provide little value. The exception to this rule will be that there are still some employers who require a Security+, even if you have achieved a more difficult certification.

Microsoft Modern Desktops Administrator Associate

I mentioned before the Desktop Support will likely be where you begin your career, and it may, in fact, be where you spend a large portion of your career. Many professionals who hold more senior job titles, such as Systems Administrator and Network Engineer, get involved with Desktop Support activities all the time. Desktops and laptops are, after all, where the rest of the business interfaces with Information Technology the most.

Microsoft recently retired the MCSA for Windows Desktop Operating Systems and replaced it with the Modern Desktops Administrator Associate certification. As most desktops throughout the business world are running Microsoft Windows Operating Systems, this certification will be applicable to many organizations.

The Microsoft Modern Desktops Administrator Associate certification covers not only Desktop Support activities but also some server-side components such as deployment services. This is a good starting point for learning about imaging and the power of automation and is an easy transition after some time doing Desktop Support.

The Modern Desktops Administrator Associate certification requires passing two exams with the exam codes MD-100 and MD-101.

Cisco CCNA Routing and Switching

Cisco has long been the “default” vendor of network hardware throughout the world. Whether you intend to work with Cisco equipment or not, you will encounter it somewhere. More importantly, even though the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Routing and Switching is a vendor-specific certification, it covers many concepts that are vendor-neutral.

If you’ve been working in the IT industry for a while, and you’ve developed preferences for hardware from Juniper, Palo Alto, Aruba, or anyone else, you will still find value in achieving the CCNA Routing and Switching certification. In fact, it is often a requirement for positions within organizations that use network hardware from these other vendors due to the breadth of material covered on the topic of networking.

Achieving the CCNA Routing and Switching certification requires taking one of two paths. You may either pass two separate exams with exam codes ICND 1 (100-105) and ICND 2 (200-105), or you may pass a single composite exam with exam code 200-125. My recommendation is to take the two separate exams. I’ve worked with many CCNA certified professionals and they all agree that the the composite exam is unusually difficult.

Do you need IT certifications?

Many people will say that certifications are unnecessary and expensive and that you can get jobs and become successful without them. And you know what? They are right.

You can absolutely find a job with zero certifications, and you can absolutely gain experience and grow your income without them as well. So why bother?

First and foremost, landing a job is a competition between you and the rest of the job-seeking workforce. Anything and everything you can do to get ahead of them will be an advantage for you and remove obstacles to career advancement.

Second, the Information Technology industry is constantly changing, evolving, and growing. While it is possible to stay up to date on current technologies and industry trends without reading hundreds of pages of textbook material, certifications provide for you a framework by which you can learn these things. Simply reading IT industry websites, like this one, will not be enough. You will need something to guide your efforts, and these certifications are a great start.

This list is in no way comprehensive, but as someone who has spent way too much of their life looking at technician resumes, I know what it is that a Hiring Manager would be looking for. Checking off some of these boxes, and building a quality resume will get you in the door, and then you can let your interviewer know what it really is that sets you apart. And that is something we will cover another day.