I was sitting in a café in Prague last month, halfway through my second espresso, when I overheard a conversation at the next table. A group of computer science students were talking about tech pioneers. Steve Jobs came up. Bill Gates. Elon Musk. The usual suspects. When one student asked if anyone could name a woman who shaped technology, the table went quiet. That silence stuck with me for days.

Here’s the thing that gets me. The first programmer in history was a woman. The person who invented the compiler? Woman. The code that landed humans on the moon? Written by a woman. These aren’t minor contributions or footnotes. These women built the foundation of everything we do in IT today. Yet most people couldn’t name a single one if their laptop depended on it.

Let me take you back to 1843, a hundred years before anyone built an electronic computer. Ada Lovelace was the daughter of Lord Byron, the famous poet, though she barely knew him. Her mother pushed her toward mathematics, probably hoping logic would counteract any inherited dramatic tendencies. Ada became fascinated with Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, this incredible mechanical calculator that existed mostly on paper and in Babbage’s imagination.

While Babbage saw his machine as a glorified calculator, Ada saw something nobody else could. She understood that anything you could represent with numbers, a machine could manipulate: music, images, text, anything. She wrote what we now recognize as the first computer algorithm, complete with the concept of looping. She invented programming a century before computers existed. When I’m troubleshooting code at 2am in some hotel room, I sometimes think about Ada working by candlelight, imagining a future none of her contemporaries could see. She died at 36. The Defense Department eventually named a programming language after her, which is nice, but it’s not enough.

Jump forward to World War II. Grace Hopper had a math PhD from Yale, already unusual for a woman in 1934, and joined the Navy when the war started. She got assigned to program the Harvard Mark I, this massive computer that filled a room. She didn’t just program it. She wrote a 500 page manual for it, though her name didn’t appear on the cover. That happened a lot back then.

What Grace really changed was how we think about code. Early programming meant writing in machine language, ones and zeros corresponding directly to circuit operations. It was tedious and error prone. Grace thought that was absurd. She built the first compiler in 1952, translating human readable instructions into machine code. When she proposed it, people told her computers couldn’t do that. She proved them wrong. Her work led to COBOL, which used actual English words instead of cryptic symbols. COBOL still runs critical systems today, over 60 years later. Grace became a Rear Admiral and kept working until she was 79. The famous “bug” story? That was her, finding an actual moth in the Mark II computer.

Here’s what makes me angry. During WWII and the early computing days, programming was considered clerical work, basically typing. That meant it was women’s work, beneath the men doing the “real” engineering of building hardware. So women programmed the most important computers of the era. Six women figured out how to program ENIAC, the first general purpose electronic computer, using patch cables and inventing modern programming techniques from scratch. Betty Snyder, Betty Jean Jennings, Kathleen McNulty, Marlyn Wescoff, Ruth Lichterman, and Frances Bilas. They got almost no recognition.

Then, when everyone realized programming required serious intellectual work, suddenly it became men’s work. Women got pushed out of the field they’d pioneered. By the 1980s, computers were marketed as toys for boys, computer science programs skewed male, and we’ve been fighting for equity ever since. The gender ratio in computer science today is actually worse than it was in the 1960s. Think about that for a minute.

Katherine Johnson’s story shows what women accomplished even when the system was stacked against them in every possible way. She was an African American mathematician who started at NASA (then NACA) in 1953, during segregation. She was assigned to the “colored computers,” a group of Black women performing complex calculations by hand. Critical calculations for flight trajectories and space missions, done by women who were segregated, underpaid, and rarely acknowledged.

Katherine’s work was so accurate that John Glenn specifically requested she verify the computer calculations for his orbital flight. “Get the girl to check the numbers,” he said. If Katherine said they were good, he’d fly. Her calculations were essential to Mercury, Apollo, and the Space Shuttle. She didn’t get widespread recognition until the movie Hidden Figures in 2016, when she was 98. She finally received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Better late than never, but the delay is infuriating.

Then there’s Margaret Hamilton, who led the software team for Apollo. That code had to work perfectly because there was no patching bugs once astronauts left Earth. The stakes were life and death. Margaret pioneered software engineering as a discipline. She insisted that writing code deserved the same respect as any other engineering work. There’s this famous photo of her standing next to a stack of printouts taller than she is, all the code she and her team wrote for Apollo. During the Apollo 11 landing, when the computer started throwing alarms minutes before touchdown, Margaret’s code prioritized essential tasks and kept running. Neil Armstrong landed safely. Without her work, that moon landing probably doesn’t happen. She got a Lego figure in 2017. Great, but again, recognition came decades late.

Moving into recent history, the pattern continues. Susan Wojcicki became Google’s 16th employee in 1999. She literally rented her garage to Larry Page and Sergey Brin. She went on to build AdSense and Google Analytics, then became YouTube’s CEO in 2014. Under her leadership, YouTube became one of the most influential platforms on the internet. She stepped down in 2023 and passed away in 2024 from lung cancer at 56. I never met her, but everyone I know who worked with her said she was brilliant and kind.

Sheryl Sandberg joined Facebook as COO in 2008 when they were still figuring out monetization. She transformed it into a profitable business, growing revenue from $153 million to over $39 billion during her tenure. Her book “Lean In” started important conversations about women in leadership, even if people disagreed with some conclusions. She stepped down in 2022. Ginni Rometty became IBM’s first female CEO in 2012, leading their shift into cloud computing and AI.

Here’s the depressing part. As these high profile women stepped away, they were mostly replaced by men. None of the Big Five tech companies has ever had a woman CEO. Women make up about 28% of tech workers but only 8% to 9% of senior leaders like CTOs. For every 100 men promoted to manager, only 87 women get promoted, and only 82 women of color. The math doesn’t work. Women can’t catch up at those rates.

This isn’t ancient history. This is now. And we’re still having conversations about whether women are “technical enough” or can handle leadership. From where I sit, working with security teams across Europe, I see talented women every day who are more than technical enough. The question isn’t capability. It’s opportunity and bias.

When women have actual support, they excel. Organizations like Girls Who Code, founded by Reshma Saujani, teach young women programming and show them tech careers are possible. Women Who Code provides community and mentorship. These efforts matter because representation matters. Young women need to see women in technical roles to envision themselves there. I didn’t have many role models when I started in security. I want the next generation to have more options than I did.

Research shows diverse teams make better decisions, create more innovative products, and generate higher revenue. This isn’t about fairness, though that would be reason enough. It’s about building better technology. When your team includes people from different backgrounds, they catch problems others miss, design for wider audiences, and ask different questions. The tech industry benefits enormously from women at every level.

So why aren’t these women household names? Why do we celebrate male founders who built on women’s work while those women remain footnotes? Historical bias plays a part. Women’s contributions were minimized at the time, and that erasure compounds across generations. But ongoing bias matters too. Women in tech still face skepticism and barriers men don’t encounter at the same rates. I’ve experienced it. Most women in tech have stories.

Here’s what gives me hope, though. Every time I mention Ada Lovelace or Grace Hopper or Katherine Johnson in a training session, people lean forward. They’re hungry for these stories. Young women especially need to know they’re not pioneers in an unwelcoming field. They’re continuing a tradition from the very beginning of computing. Women built this industry. Women belong here. That’s not controversial. It’s historical fact.

Last week I was running a phishing simulation workshop in Berlin, and afterward a young woman asked me how I got into cybersecurity. I told her about stumbling into it, about the challenges, about the amazing work. Then I told her about Grace Hopper and Margaret Hamilton. Her face lit up. “I didn’t know,” she said. That’s the problem. Too many people don’t know.

The tech industry has a long way to go. But knowing where we came from helps us understand where we need to go. Ada saw computers as more than calculators. Grace made programming accessible. Katherine’s calculations put people in space. Margaret’s code landed them on the moon. These women didn’t just participate. They made it possible. Remember their names. Share their stories. And if you’re hiring or building teams, remember that women have always been essential to technology. The future needs women just as much as the past depended on them. For anyone pursuing cybersecurity certifications or building a career in tech, understanding this history isn’t optional. It reminds us that excellence has never been about gender, just opportunity.

Breaking into cybersecurity feels overwhelming when you’re staring at dozens of certifications, conflicting advice, and job postings that all seem to want five years of experience for entry level roles. I talk to people every week who want to start a cybersecurity career but have no idea which certification to pursue first or whether they even qualify for the jobs they’re seeing.

The good news? There’s a clear path forward, and you don’t need a computer science degree or years of experience to begin. What you need is the right foundation and a realistic understanding of where entry level roles actually exist in this field.

Before we dive into certifications and career paths, let me tell you why this field is exploding with opportunity. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, information security analyst roles are projected to grow 33% through 2033. That’s much faster than average for any profession.

The reason is simple. Every organization, from small businesses to multinational corporations, needs cybersecurity professionals. Breaches are getting more sophisticated, regulations are getting stricter, and the stakes are higher than ever. Companies are desperate for people who can help protect their systems and data.

What makes this field particularly attractive is the variety of roles available. You can work in incident response, security operations, compliance, penetration testing, security architecture, or governance. Each path requires different skills and appeals to different personalities. Some people love the adrenaline rush of responding to active threats. Others prefer the strategic thinking required for security program management.

Here’s something I wish someone had told me earlier in my career. True entry level cybersecurity jobs are rarer than people think. Most organizations want you to have at least some IT experience before they’ll trust you with their security. That might sound discouraging, but it actually makes sense. How can you secure systems if you don’t understand how they work in the first place?

The typical path into cybersecurity starts with general IT work. Maybe you spend a year or two in help desk support, system administration, or network operations. During that time, you learn how technology actually functions in real organizations. You see how users behave, how systems fail, and where vulnerabilities emerge naturally through everyday operations.

Then you transition into security specific roles. This progression isn’t a waste of time. The IT fundamentals you build early on become the foundation for everything you do in cybersecurity later. When you’re analyzing a potential breach, that help desk experience helps you understand user behavior. When you’re hardening systems, that admin background tells you what’s realistic and what’s not.

Certifications matter in cybersecurity, but not all certifications are created equal for beginners. Let me walk you through the ones that actually help you get that first job and build real skills.

If you’re going to get one certification to start your cybersecurity career, make it Security Plus. This is the industry standard entry point for cybersecurity professionals. It covers all the fundamentals including network security, cryptography, identity management, risk management, and incident response basics.

What makes Security Plus particularly valuable is its recognition. The U.S. Department of Defense requires it for many positions under DoD Directive 8140 (formerly 8570). That means if you want to work in government cybersecurity or with defense contractors, you need this certification. But even outside government work, most employers recognize Security Plus as proof you understand core security concepts.

The exam itself is performance based, which means you’ll face simulated scenarios where you have to configure security settings or analyze logs, not just answer multiple choice questions. This format ensures you can actually apply what you’ve learned, not just memorize definitions.

Before you tackle Security Plus, consider starting with Network Plus. This certification teaches you how networks actually function, which is essential knowledge for any cybersecurity professional. You can’t secure a network if you don’t understand TCP/IP, routing, switching, and network protocols.

Network Plus covers network architecture, operations, security fundamentals, and troubleshooting. It’s vendor neutral, so you’re learning concepts that apply everywhere rather than specific product configurations. Many people find that having Network Plus makes Security Plus much easier to understand because you already grasp the underlying infrastructure.

The SSCP from (ISC)² is another solid entry level option, particularly if you already have some IT experience. It requires one year of work experience in one or more of the seven SSCP domains, though you can take the exam without experience and earn an Associate of (ISC)² designation until you meet the requirement.

SSCP covers security operations and administration, access controls, risk identification and response, incident response and recovery, cryptography, network and communications security, and systems and application security. It’s more technical than Security Plus in some areas, which makes it valuable if you’re aiming for hands on security operations roles.

Once you’ve established yourself in cybersecurity and gained a few years of experience, you’ll want to pursue more advanced certifications. These credentials open doors to senior positions and significantly boost your earning potential.

The CISSP is often called the gold standard in cybersecurity certifications. It’s designed for experienced security practitioners, managers, and executives with at least five years of cumulative paid work experience in two or more of the eight CISSP domains. (ISC)² offers some ways to satisfy this requirement through education or other credentials, but the bottom line is this isn’t a beginner certification.

What makes CISSP valuable is its breadth. The eight domains cover security and risk management, asset security, security architecture and engineering, communication and network security, identity and access management, security assessment and testing, security operations, and software development security. You need to understand security at a strategic level, not just tactical implementation.

CISSP holders typically work in roles like security consultant, security manager, IT director, security auditor, security architect, or CISO. According to (ISC)², CISSP certified professionals earn significantly more than their non-certified peers.

If you’re interested in the offensive side of security, the CEH from EC-Council teaches you to think like an attacker. The certification covers reconnaissance, scanning networks, enumeration, system hacking, malware threats, sniffing, social engineering, denial of service, session hijacking, evading IDS/firewalls, hacking web applications, SQL injection, and cryptography.

CEH is popular among penetration testers, security analysts, and anyone who needs to understand attack techniques to better defend against them. It’s more hands on than CISSP and focuses specifically on offensive security skills.

The CISM from ISACA is designed for security managers and those who manage, design, and oversee an enterprise’s information security program. Unlike CISSP, which has a technical focus, CISM emphasizes management and governance. It’s ideal if you’re moving toward leadership roles rather than staying in technical implementation.

CISM covers information security governance, information risk management, information security program development and management, and information security incident management. You need at least five years of work experience in information security management to earn the certification.

One area of cybersecurity that’s seeing explosive growth is incident response. Every week seems to bring news of another major breach, ransomware attack, or data compromise. Organizations are realizing they need dedicated teams ready to respond when, not if, something goes wrong.

Incident response professionals are the cybersecurity equivalent of emergency medical teams. When an attack happens, they’re the ones who spring into action to contain the damage, investigate what happened, recover systems, and prevent it from happening again. It’s high pressure work that requires both technical skills and the ability to stay calm under stress.

What makes incident response particularly appealing is the constant learning. Every incident is different. You’re analyzing new attack techniques, reverse engineering malware, tracking threat actors, and connecting digital breadcrumbs to understand exactly what happened. It’s detective work combined with technical analysis.

The demand for incident responders far exceeds the supply. According to the (ISC)² Cybersecurity Workforce Study, organizations report significant gaps in their incident response capabilities. This translates to competitive salaries, job security, and plenty of advancement opportunities.

Getting into incident response requires a solid technical foundation. You need to understand operating systems (particularly Windows and Linux at a deep level), networking protocols and traffic analysis, common attack vectors and malware behavior, forensic analysis techniques, and log analysis and SIEM tools.

But technical skills alone aren’t enough. Incident responders also need strong communication abilities because you’ll be explaining technical findings to non-technical stakeholders, often in high stress situations. You need analytical thinking to piece together what happened from incomplete evidence. And you need the ability to work under pressure when systems are down and executives are demanding answers.

The Certified Incident Handler (ECIH) from EC-Council is another option that covers incident handling and response from a vendor neutral perspective. It teaches you how to handle various types of cybersecurity incidents, manage incident response teams, and implement proper processes.

Many incident responders also pursue digital forensics certifications because the skills overlap significantly. Understanding how to preserve evidence, analyze compromised systems, and document findings is crucial for both disciplines.

Getting started in cybersecurity isn’t about rushing to collect as many certifications as possible. It’s about building a strong foundation, gaining real experience, and strategically advancing your skills over time.

Start with Security Plus to establish your baseline security knowledge. Get some hands on experience in IT or security operations. Then pursue advanced certifications that align with your specific career goals, whether that’s technical depth, management, or specialized areas like incident response.

The field needs people at every level. It needs entry level analysts monitoring alerts, mid-level engineers implementing controls, senior architects designing security systems, and leaders developing strategy. Find where you fit based on your interests and strengths, then build toward that goal systematically.

Cybersecurity offers genuine career opportunities with room for growth, competitive compensation, and the satisfaction of protecting organizations from real threats. It’s challenging work, but if you’re willing to put in the effort to learn, there’s a place for you in this field.

The certification landscape was easier but also stricter when I started my IT career. You chose a vendor track, like Microsoft, Cisco, or CompTIA, and used it as a guide. There are hundreds of certifications available today for beginners, covering cloud, security, networking, and new technologies. I’ve mentored many junior engineers and looked over many resumes. I’ve found that these certifications always help new people get jobs and set them up for long-term success.

Getting the right certification isn’t just about passing a test; it’s also about showing that you can solve real problems. I’ve seen too many people with big lists of certifications who couldn’t fix a simple network problem. This guide is all about certifications that teach useful skills, are respected by employers, and make it easy to move up in your career. I want to tell you what I’ve learned over the past 20+ years of building teams, doing interviews, and seeing careers take off or fail based on certification choices.

CompTIA certifications are still the best for beginners in IT because they aren’t tied to any one company, are well-known, and teach concepts that can be used anywhere. You could say that they are learning the rules of technology before focusing on certain dialects. Everyone who hires knows these certifications, and more importantly, they trust what they mean. I know that a candidate with CompTIA certifications has a structured understanding of IT basics instead of random, self-taught knowledge when I see them on their resume.

I think 90% of beginners should start with CompTIA A+, no matter what their goals are. It teaches the basic skills that every IT professional needs, like hardware, operating systems, basic networking, and troubleshooting. I still use A+ knowledge every day to figure out why something isn’t working right or to explain technical ideas to people who aren’t technical. The certification teaches a methodical way to fix problems that can be used on any technology issue, like a printer that won’t connect or a cloud service that keeps failing for no reason.

A+ is especially useful for beginners because it covers a lot of ground. You learn how computers really work, from the signals that go through the motherboard to the way operating systems handle resources. This information is the basis for everything else. You will know what is being virtualized when you study virtualization later. You’ll know what you’re protecting when you learn about security. A+ certified professionals are very useful right away because every company needs someone who can figure out why a computer won’t start or why a printer won’t connect.

You need to pass two tests to get the certification. Core 1 is all about hardware, networking, mobile devices, virtualization, and cloud computing. Core 2 is all about operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux, as well as security, software troubleshooting, and operational procedures. This two-exam format is similar to what IT generalists do every day, when they have to deal with both hardware and software problems. If you’re a complete beginner, you should plan on studying for 2 to 3 months. If you already know some tech, you can learn it faster. The investment opens up jobs as help desk workers, desktop support workers, and field technicians, which usually pay between $40,000 and $55,000 to start.

Network+ changed the way I thought about IT infrastructure. I knew a lot about computers before I got it. After that, I knew how systems worked. This certification teaches you how data moves, why latency matters, and how to make networks that don’t break when someone microwaves their lunch. The information is useful whether you’re setting up cloud environments, fixing application performance issues, or telling management why the company needs backup internet connections. Networking basics are the building blocks for every specialization, including cloud, security, and DevOps.

When people ask me what the first step in IT is, I always say Network+. You learn how whole networks work instead of just fixing one computer at a time. You learn about VLANs, subnetting, routing protocols, and how to keep your network safe. You are now much more valuable because you can fix problems that affect more than one system. You can tell if an application is running slowly because of a network problem, a server problem, or something else. To really get these ideas, set up a home lab with old computers or virtualization software. The day I set up VLANs on real switches instead of just memorizing port numbers was the day I got networking. Theoretical knowledge devoid of practical application is merely trivial.

Security+ has gone from being a specialized certification to something that everyone needs. It wasn’t required ten years ago. It’s a must-have today. No matter what IT job you have, you have to think about security, whether you’re setting up firewalls or just picking strong passwords. When you take Security+, you learn to think like both an attacker and a defender at the same time. This is a skill that is very useful in any organization. The certification covers a wide range of topics, including basic cryptography, incident response, physical security, and cloud security.

Security+ is especially useful for government contractors. It meets the requirements of DoD 8570, which opens up high-paying jobs with the federal government. But even in the private sector, hiring managers see it as proof that you won’t accidentally give away customer information or fall for phishing scams. There are performance-based questions on the test that check your ability to solve problems in the real world and do hands-on security tasks. This makes sure that you can really use what you’ve learned, not just repeat definitions. If you need focused preparation, TrainingCamp offers an intensive Security+ boot camp designed to help you pass on your first attempt.

In 2025, if you’re not using cloud technologies, you’re working for a company that won’t be around in 2030. That may seem dramatic, but I’ve seen too many businesses fail because they wouldn’t update their systems. Cloud certifications show that you know how to use modern infrastructure and can help businesses save money and make their systems more scalable. More importantly, they show that you are dedicated to keeping up with a field that is changing quickly.

Amazon Web Services has more than 30% of the cloud market, and their Cloud Practitioner certification is great for people who are just starting out. You don’t need to know a lot about technology to learn about cloud economics, basic services, and the shared responsibility model. You learn how to talk about cloud architecture, how cloud pricing works, and which services solve which problems. I’ve seen help desk workers use this cert to move into cloud support jobs and get pay raises of 30–40% within six months of getting the cert.

AWS Cloud Practitioner is especially useful because it can be used in so many different situations. The ideas still apply even if your company uses a different cloud provider. You know what IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS are and how they are different. You know the difference between object storage and block storage. You can take part in architecture talks and know how technical choices will affect costs. This certification usually takes 1 to 2 months of study and costs between $200 and $400, which includes the study materials.

If you want to work in corporate IT, knowing Azure is just as important as knowing Microsoft, since Microsoft is the most popular company in the world. The AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals certification is easier to get than the AWS Cloud Practitioner certification, but it is just as respected. It talks about Azure services, prices, support, and basic ideas about the cloud. I’ve told a number of Windows administrators who want to update their skills to try it, and every single one of them found new jobs within six months. The test is easy, and you usually only need 3 to 4 weeks to study for it. Microsoft also often gives away free test vouchers at their virtual training events.

The great thing about getting cloud fundamentals certifications is that they can lead to many different jobs. You might find that you enjoy designing cloud solutions and want to get Solutions Architect certifications. You might also be interested in cloud security and want to specialize in it. These entry-level certifications give you enough experience to help you make smart choices about your career path and make you more attractive to employers right away.

Vendor-neutral certifications give you a lot of general knowledge, but sometimes you need to show that you know a lot about a certain platform to get the job you want. If you choose the right ones, these specialized certifications can help you move up in your career faster, but they take more time and often assume that you already know something.

The Cisco CCNA is still the best certification for people who want to work as network engineers. The new CCNA combines what used to be several tracks into one certification that covers the basics of networking, network access, IP connectivity, IP services, security, and automation. It’s a lot harder than Network+ because you need to know a lot more, but it means a lot. Every network engineer I know started out with CCNA. You can’t just memorize protocols; you have to actually understand them because of the hands-on configuration requirements. You’ll learn how to set up routers and switches, use VLANs, fix problems with connectivity, and really understand routing protocols.

CCNA is not for beginners; it assumes you already know how to set up a network. I’ve seen confident beginners fail because they went straight to CCNA without knowing the basics. You have to set up real network devices for some of the exam questions, not just answer multiple-choice questions. If you don’t have a lot of hands-on experience, start with Network+. If you want to get your CCNA, you should buy lab equipment or a good network simulator. Beginners usually have to study hard for 6 to 9 months to get the certification, but it can lead to jobs as a network administrator or junior network engineer that pay $60,000 to $80,000.

More careers have changed because of Linux+ certification than any other specialty cert I’ve seen. Linux runs everything on the internet, from web servers to cloud infrastructure to apps that run in containers. This certification shows that you know how to use Linux systems, work from the command line, and understand the operating system that runs most of the modern internet. Beginners are scared of the command line, but learning how to use it makes you a lot more valuable. You are the one who can fix problems that other people can’t even figure out.

I like Linux+ because it lets me work with the latest technology. You can use containers, Kubernetes, automation tools, and DevOps pipelines once you know how to use Linux. You can now work in environments other than Windows. The certification includes things like system architecture, installing Linux, using GNU and Unix commands, file systems, shells, scripting, and basic security. To be successful, you need to have worked with Linux for 6 to 12 months. However, the jobs it opens up—Linux administrator, DevOps engineer, cloud architect, site reliability engineer—often pay a lot more than jobs that focus on Windows.

If you want to work in help desk or service management, you should really think about getting the ITIL Foundation. ITIL isn’t sexy; it’s all about managing services, processes, and procedures. But it’s very useful. This framework shows you how to deliver, manage, and improve IT services. No matter what name they give it, every business uses some kind of ITIL. You will be better at any IT job right away if you know how to handle incidents, change control, and service level agreements.

At first, I thought ITIL was just a bunch of bureaucratic nonsense. Then I joined a team that did it right, and the time it took us to fix problems went down by 40%. The rate of our failed changes dropped dramatically. Customers were very happy. I now suggest it to anyone who wants to work in enterprise IT support or service management. The certification itself is easy to get; you usually only need to study for a few weeks. But the information you learn helps you understand how professional IT companies work. It’s especially useful if you want to learn about the business side of technology or are interested in IT management.

I’ve looked at thousands of successful IT career paths and found patterns that always work. The most important thing is to learn in the right order. Each certification should build on the one before it and open up new doors. Your path will depend on your final goal, but some sequences always lead to success.

If you want to work in general IT support, get your CompTIA A+ in your first year. This lets you work and make money while you learn. In year two, you can add either Network+ or ITIL, depending on whether you like working with technology or processes more. You should start getting cloud certifications or Microsoft-specific credentials by the third year to become more specialized and valuable. This path will take you from entry-level jobs that pay $40,000 to jobs that pay $65,000 to $75,000 in three years.

The path is clearer but harder if you want to be a network engineer. Begin with Network+ to learn the basics, then go right into CCNA. Network+ gives you a lot of general knowledge, while CCNA adds depth that is specific to a certain vendor. These two certifications work well together. Add Security+ or start working toward CCNP in year two. By the third year, you should focus on areas like wireless, security, or automation. Network engineers who follow this path often see their pay double in three years.

You need to use a different method for cloud engineering. Start with A+ to learn about the infrastructure that is being virtualized. Then, right away, get a cloud practitioner certification from AWS or Azure. In the second year, get the Solutions Architect Associate level certification from the platform of your choice. Year three should be all about specialization, like DevOps, security, or advanced architecture. If cloud engineers follow this path and get hands-on experience, they can make $80,000 to $100,000 a year in 2 to 3 years.

The foundation is even more important for careers in cybersecurity. To learn what you’re protecting, start with A+. Then add Network+ to learn how attacks spread. You should only go after Security+ after that. This three-certification foundation usually takes 12 to 18 months, but it gives security professionals all the information they need. If you want to learn more about defensive security, look into CySA+. If you want to learn more about offensive security, look into PenTest+. This path often leads to security professionals making $75,000 to $95,000 in three years.

DevOps is the newest and possibly most profitable path. To learn how to use the command line and understand the operating system that runs most DevOps tools, start with Linux+. Since most DevOps work is done in the cloud, you should get a cloud certification. Then go after specific tools, such as Docker, Kubernetes, or Terraform. DevOps engineers who know Linux, the cloud, and how to automate things can make six figures in three to five years.

I’ve seen skilled people ruin their careers by using bad certification strategies. Getting certifications without getting any experience is the most common mistake. Having five certifications but no experience makes you look desperate, not qualified. Employers want to know that you can use what you know, not just pass tests. Get a job, get a certification, and then get the next one. This cycle of learning and using what you’ve learned makes you an expert.

Another way to kill your career is to skip the basics. I often talk to people who have advanced certifications but can’t explain basic ideas. They learned enough to pass tests, but they don’t have the basic knowledge they need to solve real problems. These gaps in knowledge become walls in your career. You might get a job, but you won’t last long if you can’t do simple things. Even if it takes longer, build your knowledge in a planned way.

Not paying attention to what people want costs you time and money. That strange certification might be interesting to learn about, but will it help you get a job? Before you pay for a certification, look for jobs in your area. What certifications do job postings keep asking for? What skills do employers really want? I’ve seen people spend months getting certifications that no one in their area cares about.

Brain dumps are not only wrong, but they also don’t work. You might get certified by memorizing answers instead of learning concepts, but you’ll fail miserably in interviews and on the job. I once interviewed someone who had passed a lot of advanced certifications but couldn’t answer simple technical questions. They had used brain dumps, it turned out. They didn’t get the job, and word got around in our tech community. Brain dumps break the rules of exams, can get you kicked out of future certifications, and ruin your professional reputation.

Not working on your soft skills can hold back your career. Technical certifications show that you know something, but you get promoted when you can work well with others, solve problems, and talk to people. The best engineers I know aren’t always the ones who are the best at technical things. They’re the ones who can explain complicated ideas in simple terms, work well in groups, and handle projects. Combine technical training with professional growth. Take project management classes, join Toastmasters, or work on your technical writing.

Getting certified is only the first step. The real value comes from how you use that information. While you study, make a portfolio by writing blog posts about what you’ve learned, making a GitHub repository with your lab setups, and keeping track of your progress. When I interview people, I like it better when they have a well-documented home lab than when they have a lot of certifications. It shows that you can take the initiative, use what you know, and talk to people.

One project that really stood out to me was when a candidate made a full network diagram of their home lab, wrote down every configuration choice they made, and made troubleshooting guides for common problems. They only had one certification, but their portfolio showed that they really understood and could do things. They got the job over people who had more certifications but less experience that could be shown.

Making connections while you learn gives you more chances. Sign up for both online and in-person certification study groups. Go to user groups for the technology you want to learn. Join online forums and help people figure things out. The people you meet while studying can help you get a job. I got my first three IT jobs through connections I made in study groups, not by applying for jobs. My classmates knew what I could do and told their companies about me when jobs opened up.

Use what you learn right away to make it stick. Even if it’s not your main job, look for ways to use your new skills in your current role. Help out with IT projects, offer to write down how things work, and make tools that fix real problems. I noticed that our company’s password policy was weak while I was studying for Security+. I came up with a plan using Security+ ideas, showed it to management, and oversaw the work. The project was more important in later interviews than the certification itself.

Make your own goals and tasks. Make a home lab that looks like a business setting. Take things apart and put them back together. Use the technologies you’re learning about. Don’t just read about VLANs; set them up when you learn about them. When learning about security, set up a firewall and stop traffic. This hands-on experience turns what you know in theory into skills that employers want.

Over the years, I’ve come up with and improved study methods that always help me pass my certification exams. The most important thing is to know that everyone learns in their own way, but some things are true for everyone. First, make a promise to study every day instead of for long periods of time. Every day for thirty minutes is better than once a week for five hours. Your brain needs time to sort through and remember what you’ve learned. I studied for the CCNA while working full-time by getting up an hour early every day. That steady routine helped me succeed on the first try.

Use more than one learning tool to help you remember things. Read the official cert guide, watch video courses, and do labs with your hands. Different ways of explaining things can help them make sense. When I was studying for Security+, I had a hard time with cryptography until I found a YouTube channel that explained it in a different way than my book. I finally understood the difference between symmetric and asymmetric encryption. Even if a resource is highly recommended, don’t only use it.

Practice tests are helpful, but you need to use them the right way. Don’t just learn the answers; learn why each one is right or wrong. If you get a question wrong, take the time to learn everything you can about the subject before moving on. I keep a journal of mistakes where I write down every practice question I get wrong, why I got it wrong, and what I learned. This focused review makes sure I don’t make the same mistakes on the real test.

Teach others what you know. Join online groups and help people with their questions. Make a blog for your studies. Talk to your non-technical friends about ideas. Teaching makes you really understand the material instead of just knowing it. I volunteered to teach my team basic Linux commands when I was getting ready for Linux+. Getting ready for those lessons helped me remember what I had learned better than reading could have.

Certifications can help you get ahead, but what you do after you get them is what will really help you succeed in the long run. Get a reputation for being reliable and good at solving problems. Be the one who follows through, writes down solutions, and helps others do well. You get hired because of your technical skills, and you get promoted because of your professional skills. I’ve seen great engineers get stuck because they couldn’t work with others, while less technical professionals moved up because they were great at working with others.

Keep learning and being curious even when you don’t have any certifications. Technology changes quickly, and what you knew yesterday is no longer useful today. Read tech blogs, listen to podcasts, and go to webinars. I spend at least an hour a week learning about new technologies, not for any specific certification but to stay up to date. This habit of always learning has helped me spot trends early and put myself in a good position.

Along with technical skills, learn how to run a business. Learn how technology can help you reach your business goals. Instead of just talking about technical details, learn to talk about ROI, efficiency gains, and risk reduction. The best IT workers I know can explain complicated technical choices in terms of business. They get budgets approved, run important projects, and move up the ranks into leadership roles because they can connect the technical and business sides of things.

Get a mentor and then be one yourself. Look for professionals who have been in your shoes and can help you make career choices. Join professional groups, go to conferences, and take part in online communities. As you get better at your job, help new people. Teaching others helps you remember what you know and expand your professional network. As both a mentor and a mentee, I have had some of the best professional relationships start with mentoring.

I can tell you that certifications opened doors I didn’t know existed after working in IT for fifteen years. They made me learn in a structured way, showed employers that I knew what I was talking about, and gave me the confidence to solve hard problems. But they’re not magic bullets; they’re tools. The best IT professionals see certifications as steps along the way, not as goals.

Start with one certification that will help you reach your short-term goals. CompTIA A+ is the most common certification for beginners. It gives everything else a solid base to build on. After that, let your interests and chances lead you. Don’t try to get every certification. Instead, get experience and let certifications prove what you’ve learned. Having both certified knowledge and real-world experience gives your career unstoppable momentum.

Keep in mind that your career in IT is a long race, not a short one. The world of technology will change a lot during your career. The technologies you learn today may be out of date in five years, but the problem-solving skills, ability to learn, and professional network you build will help you throughout your career. Don’t just get certified; work on becoming really good at what you do. Get better at both your technical skills and your professional skills.

Pick certifications that help you reach your long-term goals while also giving you value right away. Find out what employers really want by looking into the job market in your area and then making sure your certification strategy matches. And don’t forget that every expert was once a beginner with a study guide and a lot of willpower. It doesn’t matter where you start; what matters is how committed you are to always getting better and using what you learn.

In the IT field, people who combine certified knowledge with real-world experience, professional skills with technical knowledge, and ongoing learning with practical application are the most successful. Today is the day you start your certification journey, but keep in mind that this is just the beginning. The real adventure is using what you know to solve problems, come up with new ideas, and help both your career and the organizations you work for move forward.

Can I Get Into IT Without a Degree? The Complete Guide to Alternative Paths

The short answer is yes, you can absolutely build a successful IT career without a traditional four-year degree. The tech industry increasingly values skills, certifications, and demonstrable experience over formal education credentials. Major companies like Google, Apple, IBM, and Tesla have publicly removed degree requirements from many of their IT positions, signaling a fundamental shift in how the industry evaluates talent. This comprehensive guide breaks down the realistic paths into IT without a degree, what employers actually look for, and how to position yourself for success in a competitive but opportunity rich field.

The IT industry faces a significant talent shortage, with millions of positions going unfilled globally. According to recent labor statistics, approximately 50% of IT professionals currently working don’t hold a computer science degree, and about 30% don’t have any four-year degree at all.

This shift isn’t about lowering standards. It’s about recognizing that traditional education doesn’t have a monopoly on producing capable IT professionals. Companies care about one thing: can you do the job? If you can demonstrate the skills, knowledge, and work ethic needed, the lack of a degree becomes less relevant.

However, being realistic is important. While many paths exist into IT without a degree, you’ll face additional scrutiny. You need to prove your capabilities more thoroughly than candidates with formal credentials. That means building a stronger portfolio, earning recognized certifications, and often starting in entry level positions to establish your track record.

When hiring managers evaluate candidates without degrees, they focus on specific indicators that demonstrate capability and commitment. Understanding these priorities helps you position yourself effectively.

Industry certifications serve as proof of knowledge and competency. They provide standardized validation that you understand specific technologies or methodologies. For someone without a degree, certifications become even more critical as they offer objective third party verification of your skills.

The most valuable entry level certifications include CompTIA A+ for foundational IT support skills, which demonstrates you can troubleshoot hardware, software, networking, and security issues. The CompTIA Network+ validates networking knowledge essential for infrastructure roles. For security focused paths, the CompTIA Security+ certification opens doors to cybersecurity positions.

Cloud certifications have become increasingly valuable. The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Microsoft Azure Fundamentals provide foundational cloud knowledge that many organizations now require. These certifications typically take 2 to 4 months of focused study and cost between $200 and $400 per exam.

Experience matters more than credentials for many IT roles. The challenge without a degree is getting that first opportunity. Smart candidates create their own experience through various means.

Build personal projects that showcase your abilities. Set up a home lab where you configure networks, deploy servers, or experiment with security tools. Document everything on a blog or YouTube channel. This demonstrates initiative, technical competence, and communication skills simultaneously.

Contribute to open source projects on GitHub. Even small contributions like documentation improvements, bug reports, or minor code fixes show you can work with real codebases and collaborate with development teams. Many hiring managers review GitHub profiles as part of their evaluation process.

Volunteer your IT skills for nonprofits, small businesses, friends, or family. Fix computers, set up networks, build websites, or provide technical support. Every problem you solve adds to your experience portfolio and generates potential references who can vouch for your abilities.

A strong portfolio compensates for the lack of formal education by providing tangible proof of your capabilities. Your portfolio should include detailed documentation of projects you’ve completed, problems you’ve solved, and systems you’ve built or maintained.

Create case studies for significant projects. Describe the challenge, your approach, the technologies used, obstacles encountered, and the final outcome. Include screenshots, diagrams, or videos demonstrating the working solution. This level of documentation shows professional maturity and attention to detail.

Maintain a technical blog where you share what you’re learning, explain complex concepts in simple terms, or provide tutorials. Writing clarifies your thinking and demonstrates communication skills that are crucial for IT roles. Plus, it makes you discoverable to potential employers searching for specific technical topics.

Technical skills get you in the door, but soft skills determine your success and advancement. Without a degree to validate your preparation, these become even more critical.

While you may not pursue a traditional degree, earning industry recognized certifications is the most effective way to establish credibility and open doors in IT. Certifications validate your knowledge to employers through standardized, rigorous exams and provide structured learning paths that ensure comprehensive coverage of essential topics.

The most direct and credible path into IT without a degree is building a strategic certification roadmap. These credentials carry significant weight with employers because they prove you have specific, current skills that directly apply to the job. Unlike a general degree, certifications demonstrate focused expertise in areas that matter most to hiring managers.

The beauty of the certification path is that it’s purely merit based. It doesn’t matter where you learned the material or how long it took you. If you can pass the exam, you’ve proven your competency. Many professionals without degrees have built impressive careers by systematically earning certifications that demonstrate increasing levels of expertise.

Start with foundational certifications that establish your baseline IT knowledge. CompTIA’s foundational trio of A+, Network+, and Security+ build progressively and prepare you for help desk, networking, or security roles. These three certifications are widely recognized and respected across the industry, opening doors to entry level positions where you can gain practical experience.

Cloud certifications from AWS, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Platform demonstrate modern infrastructure skills that are in massive demand. Start with foundational certifications like AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Azure Fundamentals, then pursue associate level credentials as you gain experience. These certifications typically require 100 to 200 hours of study and validate knowledge that organizations desperately need as they migrate to cloud environments.

Specialized certifications like Cisco’s CCNA for networking, CompTIA’s Linux+ for system administration, or various cybersecurity credentials position you for specific career paths. Choose certifications aligned with your target roles rather than collecting credentials randomly. Each certification should either strengthen your foundation or advance you toward specialization in a specific area.

Once you have your foundation, pursue advanced certifications aligned with your career direction. For cybersecurity careers, consider the CompTIA CySA+ or eventually the CISSP once you have the required experience. For cloud architects, AWS Solutions Architect Professional or Azure Solutions Architect Expert demonstrate advanced capabilities that command premium salaries.

The strategic advantage of certifications is their cumulative credibility. Each certification you earn builds on previous ones, creating a clear narrative of continuous learning and increasing expertise. Employers can see exactly what you know and trust that you’ve been tested on it. This often matters more than a degree that might have included many non technical courses with varying levels of rigor.

The certification path requires discipline and financial investment, but it’s far less expensive and time consuming than a four year degree. More importantly, certifications signal to employers that you have current, practical knowledge rather than theoretical understanding from coursework that might be years out of date. In IT, where technologies evolve constantly, this currency of knowledge matters enormously.

Landing your first IT position without a degree requires strategic positioning and often creative approaches. You’re competing against candidates with formal credentials, so you need to demonstrate value in other ways.

These roles typically hire based on demonstrated ability rather than formal education.

Networking becomes even more important when you lack traditional credentials. Many IT positions are filled through referrals before they’re ever publicly posted. Building relationships with people already in the industry creates opportunities that wouldn’t otherwise exist.

Join local tech meetups and user groups where you can meet professionals, learn about opportunities, and demonstrate your knowledge through participation. Attend virtual conferences and webinars, engaging in chat discussions and following up with speakers and attendees on LinkedIn. Participate in online communities by answering questions on Stack Overflow, contributing to Reddit discussions, and helping others in Discord servers. Volunteer for tech related causes like teaching basic computer skills, helping nonprofits with IT needs, or contributing to civic tech projects. Consider finding a mentor through formal programs or by reaching out to professionals whose careers you admire.

Your resume needs to compensate for the lack of formal education by emphasizing relevant experience, certifications, and projects. Structure it to highlight what you can do rather than where you learned it.

Lead with a strong summary that positions you as a capable professional who happens to have taken a non-traditional path. Focus on your skills, certifications, and what value you bring to potential employers. Avoid apologetic language about not having a degree.

Create a detailed skills section organized by category like Operating Systems, Networking, Cloud Platforms, Programming Languages, and Tools. Only include technologies you genuinely understand and could discuss in an interview.

List your certifications prominently, including the certifying body, date earned, and any relevant specializations. If you’re currently pursuing certifications, you can list them as in progress with expected completion dates.

Include a projects section showcasing your best work. For each project, describe what you built, what technologies you used, what problems you solved, and what the outcomes were. Link to GitHub repositories, live demos, or detailed documentation where possible.

If you have any professional IT experience, even from volunteer work or freelancing, highlight it in your experience section using strong action verbs and quantifiable results. Configured, implemented, automated, troubleshot, and optimized are all powerful words that demonstrate hands on capability.

The degree question will likely come up in interviews. Be prepared with a confident, honest answer that positions your path as a strength rather than a deficit.

Frame your non-traditional path as deliberate choice rather than circumstance. Emphasize the practical skills you’ve gained and your ability to learn independently. Then quickly pivot to discussing what you can do for the employer.

Technical interviews are your chance to shine. Without a degree to validate your knowledge, you need to excel at demonstrating your abilities through practical assessments. Practice common interview scenarios like troubleshooting exercises, system design questions, or coding challenges depending on your target role.

Use resources like LeetCode for software engineering interviews, or practice help desk scenarios with friends to build confidence. The more comfortable you are discussing technical topics and working through problems, the less your lack of degree matters.

Prepare thoroughly for every interview. Research the company’s technology stack, understand their business challenges, and be ready to discuss how your skills address their specific needs. Build a brag book with documentation of projects, certifications, and achievements. Prepare detailed stories using the STAR method, which stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result, for behavioral questions. Be ready for technical assessments by setting up a clean development environment and practicing live coding. Research the company thoroughly and prepare thoughtful questions showing your genuine interest.

Getting your first IT job without a degree is just the beginning. Building a successful long term career requires ongoing skill development, strategic positioning, and sometimes creative approaches to advancement.

As you gain experience, developing deep expertise in specific areas becomes increasingly valuable. Specialists often command higher salaries and face less competition than generalists, particularly in fields where demonstrated expertise matters more than credentials.

Consider specializing in high demand areas like cloud architecture, cybersecurity, DevOps, data engineering, or AI/ML operations. These fields value practical experience and advanced certifications, with many professionals succeeding without traditional degrees.

Pursue advanced certifications as you specialize. A CISSP for security professionals, AWS Solutions Architect Professional for cloud specialists, or Certified Kubernetes Administrator for container orchestration experts can significantly boost your career prospects and earning potential.

Without a prestigious university name on your resume, your personal brand becomes more important. Establish yourself as a knowledgeable professional through consistent public contributions to the field.

Maintain an active technical blog sharing insights, tutorials, and lessons learned. Speak at local meetups or user groups about your areas of expertise. Contribute to open source projects, especially those used by potential employers. Create helpful content on YouTube, LinkedIn, or Twitter demonstrating your knowledge and helping others solve problems.

These activities serve multiple purposes. They solidify your own understanding through teaching others, increase your visibility to potential employers and clients, demonstrate your expertise in concrete ways, and build a network of professional relationships that can lead to opportunities.

Some professionals eventually pursue degrees after establishing their IT careers. This approach offers several advantages. You have clearer career direction so you can choose programs that align with your goals. You may have employer tuition assistance to offset costs. Your practical experience makes academic concepts more meaningful and applicable. Part time or online programs let you continue working while studying.

However, once you have several years of experience and strong credentials, a degree becomes less important for most IT roles. Many professionals find that advanced certifications, specialized training, or building a strong track record provide better return on investment than completing a degree at that stage.

The exception might be if you want to transition into management, academic roles, or certain government positions where degrees remain more strongly preferred. Evaluate your specific career goals and whether a degree would meaningfully advance them before committing time and money.

Being honest about the obstacles helps you prepare for them rather than being blindsided. Here are the most common challenges you’ll face and practical strategies for addressing them.

Many companies use applicant tracking systems that filter resumes based on keywords, including educational requirements. Your resume might get rejected automatically before a human ever sees it.

Strategy: Apply through referrals whenever possible to bypass automated systems. Network aggressively to get your resume directly to hiring managers. Target smaller companies and startups that are less likely to use strict automated filtering. Focus on companies that explicitly state they don’t require degrees. Use LinkedIn to directly message recruiters and hiring managers about positions.

Without formal validation of your knowledge through a degree program, you might doubt your capabilities even when you’re performing well.

Strategy: Focus on objective measures of competence like certifications passed, projects completed, and problems solved. Keep a success journal documenting wins and positive feedback. Remember that everyone in IT deals with imposter syndrome regardless of education. Your practical experience is just as valid as theoretical knowledge. Connect with other self taught professionals who understand your journey.

Self directed learning can leave gaps in foundational knowledge that degree programs systematically cover.

Strategy: Periodically assess your knowledge against job descriptions for roles you want. Identify gaps and create focused learning plans to address them. Follow comprehensive curricula from sources like university syllabi or professional certification paths rather than random tutorials. Don’t be afraid to revisit fundamentals even after you’ve started working. Strong foundations become increasingly important as you advance.

Some companies maintain strict degree requirements for all positions, limiting your options especially when starting out.

Strategy: Be willing to start with contract, freelance, or part time work to build experience. Consider roles adjacent to IT like technical support, data entry, or office IT that have lower barriers to entry but provide exposure to technical environments. Look at managed service providers and IT consulting firms that often have more flexible hiring practices. Once you have solid experience, more doors open regardless of education.