Now that the annual salary surveys are out and have been digested, it seems that IT industry trends in 2015 point to a year fully of opportunity for pros with mobile, security, big data
and cloud experience and skills. As the business leaders drive strategic decisions
to invest in these areas, it’s up to the staff to acquire—through training,
certification or new hires—the necessary tools and talent to execute the
company’s vision.
So if you’re sitting in your
cube, drinking your coffee and contemplating change—be it a promotion or new
position with your current employer or a new employer—keep in mind that you
need to have the skills the market demands. And increasingly, the market is
demanding proof of what you know and can do beyond your resume and cover
letter. So, the question is ‘what is the best investment in my future’?
The decision to take on
training and certification seems binary. However, when you look at the factors:
time, money and maintenance, the decision gets a lot harder. Here are a few simple
questions that will help you determine the right path for you:
- Does your current job
require training or certification on a specific tool or technology? Will this
training and certification help you advance your career?
- Have your interests switched
and you find yourself wanting to work in a new specialty?
- Are you looking for ways to make your resume
stand out?
‘Yes’ responses indicate
that an investment in training and certification warrants further
investigation:
- Check to see what your employer
will pay for when it comes to training and continuing education.
- Look at job boards to see
what companies require for your target job—even if you aren’t looking to switch
employers. The industry insight will make for a better-informed decision.
- Do you have the
qualifications to skip the lower-level certifications? Keep in mind that if
you’re switching specialties, the lead-in cert may be necessary.
- What learning solution is best for you? Are you more comfortable in a classroom or
does your schedule demand online or self-directed study? Technological advances
mean that now the classroom can come to you.
At the end of the day,
employers need talent with the right skills and a high degree of training and
competence. The maintenance, administration, and advancement of their
infrastructure, user-support, networking capabilities, data, and data
security—among other factors—depends on it.