Your career path can go in many different directions, and in many ways, you have the control to dictate where it takes you. One of the questions many people in the IT industry have is whether a certification course would help them advance to the next level. While gaining more knowledge for your cyber security career is never a bad thing, you also have to make sure you’re gaining it in the best ways that makes the most sense for you. Getting a certification is often not the clear-cut answer many people think it is, so here are a few points to consider.
Talk To Professionals In The Industry
In order to choose the right path to reach your long-term goals, consider taking a closer look at how other people got there themselves. Networking with professionals in your industry is a great way to get some insights into their thought processes and approaches to see if you can relate to them. Some may be complete believers in getting a certification, while others may have simply worked their way up through experience. As with all software developer jobs, there are many different paths you can take, so finding the one that fits your ambitions and lifestyle is most important.
Decide Whether The Cost Is Worth It
Certification courses cost time and money, so you have to decide whether it’s worth it to you personally. First off, take a look at the cost of the course itself and compare it to the salary you can expect after completing the course. If your earning potential exceeds the cost of the course, then it makes total sense to move forward with it from that standpoint. Many job opportunities for software engineers require at least a certification, so be sure to factor in potential growth and advancement over time as well.
Certification vs. Experience
Whether you’re pursuing a cyber security career or any other IT-related career, balancing education with work and your personal life can be challenging. Some employers value experience over a formal certification, while others prefer the opposite. Since there are so many available job opportunities for software engineers, take the time to really decide what you want in the short-term and long-term from a career standpoint. When you’ve done your own due diligence and received perspectives from other like-minded professionals, your decision should become clearer.
Anistar Technologies knows how difficult it is to pursue a cyber security career and other IT jobs. The industry is competitive today, so you have to give yourself an edge in any way you can. However, if an employer you want to work for doesn’t value a certification very highly, then it doesn’t make sense to obtain one. We can help you narrow down your options and focus on a specific path you desire for your career, so contact us today to get started.
