Friday, 28 Jun 2024
Technology

Best IT Support and Help Desk Certifications for 2024

If you’re interested in a career in IT support, where you can solve problems and troubleshoot technology issues, then you’ve come to the right place. IT support can be your first step in the tech industry, leading to opportunities in computer networking, cybersecurity, and more. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to advance your skills, obtaining the right IT certification is crucial. In this article, we’ll explore some of the best certifications for IT support in 2024.

CompTIA A+

helpdesk support jobs

The CompTIA A+ certification is an excellent starting point for beginners in the IT field. It equips candidates with the skills needed to install, configure, and maintain personal computers, mobile devices, printers, and laptops. Additionally, it covers basic networking and PC troubleshooting, as well as interaction with various operating systems. CompTIA A+ is a foundational, vendor-neutral certification that can open doors for new IT professionals.

Some job roles that CompTIA A+ prepares you for include:

  • Help desk technician
  • Technical support specialist
  • Desktop support administrator

According to CIO, CompTIA A+ is the most popular IT certification for 2023, making it highly recognized in the industry. It covers a wide range of skills, including troubleshooting, cybersecurity, mobile devices, operating systems, virtualization, the cloud, software, and more. It holds a prominent position among IT support job advertisements, with nearly 35,000 ads in the U.S. including it in the past 12 months, according to Lightcast job posting data.

CompTIA Network+

CompTIA Network+ is another valuable vendor-neutral certification that focuses on the skills needed for IT support. It validates technical expertise in securely establishing, maintaining, and troubleshooting networks across different platforms. Whether you have aspirations in tech support or other areas of IT, CompTIA Network+ is a must as it covers network security and best practices for cybersecurity. This certification builds foundational skills applicable to computer networking and IT security.

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Google IT Support Professional Certificate

The Google IT Support Professional Certificate is designed to help you learn the skills necessary for entry-level tech jobs. It covers various tasks such as wireless networking, computer assembly, program installation, and customer service. Obtaining this certificate demonstrates your knowledge in these areas, helping you stand out to potential employers. It’s important to note that this certificate differs from a certification as it focuses on proving your knowledge rather than passing an exam. The Google IT Support Professional Certificate combined with the CompTIA A+ certification offers a strong foundation for a career in IT.

Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) certification is highly regarded in the field of IT support. It covers topics such as IP services, networking fundamentals, automation and programmability, and security fundamentals. This certification is recommended for those with at least one year of experience with Cisco services and products. It provides the necessary skills to manage advanced networks and prepares technicians for roles such as IT support specialist, network specialist, and network engineer.

Microsoft Certifications

Microsoft offers a range of certifications at both associate and expert levels. These certifications focus on preparing IT professionals to work with Microsoft equipment and software. For example, the Microsoft 365 Certified: Modern Desktop Administrator Associate is an associate-level certification, while the Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert is an expert-level certification. These certifications are vendor-specific and provide specialized knowledge in Microsoft technologies.

Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) Foundation

The ITIL Foundation certification is one of the best certifications for IT support. It covers the principles and best practices of ITIL 4, along with concepts of Agile, Lean, and DevOps. ITIL Foundation helps businesses manage risk, strengthen customer relations, establish cost-effective practices, and build a stable IT environment. This certification is highly valued in the industry for its ability to support growth, scale, and change within organizations.

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Additional Certifications to Consider for IT Support

If you’re in a more advanced IT support role or have a particular specialization, there are certifications available to help validate your skills. For IT security, certifications like CompTIA Security+ or Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) can demonstrate your expertise in cybersecurity. If you work with cloud platforms, certifications like CompTIA Cloud+ or AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner can validate your skills in advanced tech support related to cloud technologies.

Start Your IT Career with CompTIA A+

Information technology support certifications are versatile credentials that can be an excellent starting point for a career in IT. CompTIA A+ is considered one of the best IT support certifications available. It is vendor-neutral and recognized as an industry standard. In the near future, an updated version of the certification will be launched to ensure that certification holders have the skills required for today’s tech support jobs.

CompTIA provides various resources to help you earn your certification:

  1. Learn tech support skills with CompTIA A+: Take advantage of instructor-led and self-study training options offered by CompTIA to acquire the necessary skills for your certification exam and future career.
  2. Save money on CompTIA A+: CompTIA offers voucher promotions and financing options to assist you in affording your certification.
  3. Take the CompTIA A+ certification exam: Demonstrate your knowledge by getting certified. You can take your exam at a testing center or online from the comfort of your home or office.
  4. Get a job with CompTIA A+: Promote your certification with a digital badge and receive tailored email alerts through CompTIA and ZipRecruiter, based on your certifications, skills, and experience.
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CompTIA is committed to assisting you at every step of your journey towards earning the best IT support certification for your career. To learn more, visit Eireview.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q: What is the best certification for beginners in IT support?

    • A: The CompTIA A+ certification is highly recommended for beginners in the IT support field. It provides a solid foundation of skills applicable to various job roles.
  • Q: Are vendor-neutral certifications better than vendor-specific certifications?

    • A: Vendor-neutral certifications, like CompTIA A+ and CompTIA Network+, cover skills that can be applied to any vendor’s product. They provide a broader knowledge base and can be advantageous for professionals working with multiple vendors.
  • Q: Which certifications are best for advanced IT support roles?

    • A: For advanced IT support positions, certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, CompTIA Cloud+, or AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner can validate specialized skills in areas such as cybersecurity or cloud technologies.
  • Q: How can I start my IT career in tech support?

    • A: Obtaining an IT support certification, such as CompTIA A+, is a great way to start your IT career. It demonstrates your foundational knowledge and skills, increasing your chances of landing a tech support job.

Conclusion

Choosing the right IT support certification is essential for a successful career in the technology field. Certifications like CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, and vendor-specific certifications from Microsoft or Cisco can open doors to various job opportunities. Additionally, specialized certifications focused on areas like cybersecurity or cloud technologies can help you advance your career or pivot to a different specialization. Start your journey with the right certification and take advantage of the resources offered by organizations like CompTIA to achieve your goals in the IT support industry.