Hey students! Professor Simon here. I just want to make a quick video about a cool roadmap I found. I think it will help a lot of you who are deciding which IT certifications to pursue. The roadmap covers certifications within cybersecurity, storage, database management, networking—you name it! So, I think it’s a pretty good resource to consider. Let’s dive into it quickly, and then we’ll talk more about it later.
First, search for something like “CompTIA Certification Roadmap.” The roadmap is developed by CompTIA, the company that creates A+, Network+, Security+, and other certifications with which you’re probably familiar. What’s really cool is that this roadmap not only shows their certifications, but also others in the industry. It’s organized by difficulty level and area of focus.
Here’s the roadmap: Each column represents a difficulty level—beginner, intermediate, advanced, expert—and each row is color-coded by area, like Information Security, Networking, and Cloud Technologies. Some certifications overlap across different areas, but it’s a great tool, especially for those starting out in IT.
If you search for it, just click on one of the links and you’ll easily find it. You used to be able to directly download a PDF, and it’s probably still out there, but the site changes occasionally. Now, you can find an interactive version on the CompTIA website. For example, if you click on “Cybersecurity Specialist,” it shows you the median national salary, annual job postings, expected job growth, and more. Click “Learn More” to see further breakdowns by experience level—beginner, intermediate, advanced, expert—and the corresponding skill sets and job titles. This is pretty accurate, though job titles can vary widely—Engineer, Analyst, Specialist, Administrator, etc.
This roadmap is an excellent resource to help you understand what certifications to consider. It also provides information about CompTIA’s partners and offers downloadable career roadmaps for specific areas like cybersecurity. Just provide your email, and they’ll send you more detailed info.
I wanted to share this because many students don’t know where to start when it comes to certifications. If you’re new to IT, with no experience, you might want to start with A+ and Network+, which cover basic software, hardware, and networking. From there, you can move on to Security+ or more advanced networking certifications like CCNA. Cisco certifications are great options as well.
Keep your options open as you progress along your certification path. And remember, starting from the basics is crucial. While you might be able to jump ahead and pass a more advanced certification, you’re selling yourself short if you skip the basics because learning the fundamentals of software, hardware, and networking sets a solid foundation for your career. Methodically going through the process might take more time, money, and resources, but if you’re serious about IT, it’s worth it. Patience and in-depth learning will make you a better IT professional in the long run.
Don’t sell yourself short with certifications. Plenty of options and job offers are out there, but to do it right, start with the basics and build a strong foundational knowledge. I hope this helps! Talk to you next time!
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