5 Reasons To Get Your Tech Certification

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Whether you are studying for a career in the IT networking industry, researching opportunities or already in this field, Cisco Certifications can help you build a career in one of the hottest industries available today.

Demand in and out of the service for professionals who can design, install, secure and manage the networks that keep information and communication flowing is growing. In fact, according to projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, networking administrator positions are expected to grow by 23% and network analysts by 53% through 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations.

Some places of business will train their tech employees or send them to conferences to pick up the new skills they need, but sometimes it's purely up to the individual. Either way, tech certifications can do a lot for a person. Luckily, most Cisco Certification exams are eligible for reimbursement under the G.I. Bill.

(Military tip: For more on GI Bill benefits and how to use them, visit the Military.com GI Bill section at www.military.com/education/gi-bill.)

Here are the top five reasons to get your tech certification.

Reason No. 1: More Money

This one should be pretty obvious, but it takes its place at the top of the list. To a hiring manager, a raise is much easier to justify when employees have taken it upon themselves to learn a new skill and become certified.

It shows professional commitment, a specific level of knowledge and technical expertise. It's also paper proof that an employee deserves a reward for putting in hours to learn skills that could increase business and productivity.

It'll come in handy when you're negotiating a higher salary for a new job, as well. As an example, if you're a veteran with military experience in cyberspace operations, you'll increase your hireability and skill set for IT jobs with further training in network security, to name just one of Cisco's certification programs.

Reason No. 2: You'll Learn a Few New Tricks

If you've been in tech for a while, you probably keep up to date on emerging technology, but at the rate of today's development, it's nearly impossible to keep up with every single new program or service that comes out.

That's why it's great to attend certification classes. For a relatively low time commitment, you can learn about emerging systems from the people that know them best.

Reason No. 3: Expand Your Professional Network

Imagine a classroom full of people, all there to learn the same targeted skill set that you're there for. You probably have a thing or two in common with them.

If talking in person isn't your thing, many companies (like certification heavy-hitter Cisco, for example) offer special access to online forums and training materials to their certification holders.

Reason No. 4: Tailored to Your Needs

When choosing a tech certification program, you're creating a huge opportunity for yourself. Because there are so many types of programs available, you can choose what you're not as good at and receive training in the exact area you need. You'll also get the benefit of making connections with your instructors -- and you may even find yourself a mentor for life.

Reason #5: Stand Out from the Competition

Technical certifications can help build the expertise needed to differentiate yourself in the job market. Certifications allow employers to validate that job applicants have the needed skills to run their networks.

Research indicates that a certification is second only to a four-year college degree as a way to qualify people for positions*. Certifications were also rated to be the top criteria in determining whether applicants can perform job tasks. Having certification(s) on your resume validates knowledge and gets you ready for future career opportunities.

*Forrester Study, commissioned by Cisco, 2008

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