Choosing the Right Certification

Choosing the Right Certification

Are you trying to get out of the everyday rut in your life? For many people, job satisfaction plays a key role in their day-to-day happiness. If your current job is not providing the fulfillment it once did, or maybe it never has, it’s time to make a change.

Change can be scary. We often want the long-term effects to change can provide but those first few steps can be the most daunting. What’s keeping you from making a change:

• Unsure of what you want to do next?
• No mentor or advisor to speak with about options?
• The feat of the costs associated with furthering your education?

If any of these resonate with you then it’s clear you’re seeking something more. Here are some key things to keep in mind.

What Should I Do Next? Job Titles & Opportunities

Spend time thinking about what parts of your current job you find most enjoyable this can often point you in the direction of what type of role you are best suited for. Or if you’re considering a total career change, read the job descriptions that are out there. Does the job you think you want, still sound like the right fit? Maybe you’ll find in today’s changing IT industry there are roles out there you didn’t even know existed.

Once you’ve narrowed down where you want to go, you can then make a plan for how to get there. Or if you’re still not sure what to do next, career counseling is probably the next best step for you.

Talk it Out. Speak with a Career Counselor.

Still not sure what is best for you? It’s time to talk to a trusted mentor or career counselor. Many large companies now provide internal mentor programs to help employees talk with peers who have worked at the company and can help make recommendations for career growth and opportunities. But if that’s not an option for you there are also many great options for seeking career advice.

Intellectual Point has a whole team of Career Counselors who can help you talk through your career goals and make recommendations based on your experience or what you’re working towards. In talking with a good mentor or career counselor you will quickly see change is not so scary and there is a clear path for success out there waiting for you.

So What Credentials Do I Need?

The answer is I don’t know. But let’s figure it out together. Are you looking to be hands-on and technical? Are you seeking a project manager role? Are you looking to expand your knowledge of Artificial Intelligence or Blockchain? Many of today’s most in-demand IT positions require some type of certification. Intellectual Point has made the following certification visual to help you see how certifications can be broken down into:

• Core Skills
• Hands-on Cyber Security Skills
• Cyber Security Management & Privacy Skills
• Hands-on Cloud Computing Skills
• Hands-on Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning/Blockchain Skills

As mentioned above, the other way to help narrow discover which credential is best for you is to come up with a clear career plan. Choosing to get a certification just to have it does you no good in the long term. Obtaining certification is an investment in your future and just like any other investment, you should do it with a plan and a purpose.

What if I Can’t Afford the Certification?

A common concern for many is the cost associated with additional training. Many companies are willing to invest in professional development. This is great if you are looking to grow within your current company and just want to make yourself a more valued employee.

If employer-paid training is not an option there are still several ways to help make the costs more manageable. Intellectual Point has worked to help individuals obtain their goals using grant money, scholarships, payment plans, and other creative solutions. Don’t let cost keep you from your career goals, you are certain to see a return on your investment.

Visit us at intellectualpoint.com or call to learn more and get started.