Here’s an epic opportunity for anyone considering a career in cloud, cybersecurity, or IT: We just added over 15 new skill paths to our catalog that are designed to prepare you for top industry-recognized certification exams.
Certifications carry a lot of weight in these tech fields, because they validate your knowledge of specific skills and open the door to lucrative and rewarding careers. Surveys show that having industry certifications can increase job opportunities, salaries, and chances for bonuses and promotions. Not to mention, professional certifications tend to be more accessible to obtain than, say, a degree from a traditional four-year institution.
Our test prep courses prepare you for some of the most popular certifications, including CompTIA A+ 220-1101 (Core 1), AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02, and Cisco Certified Network Associate 200-301. The best part? Test prep skill paths are fully included in your Codecademy subscription, so you can focus on learning the relevant skills without racking up additional costs.
Read on to learn more about how to start working towards a certification in cybersecurity, cloud, or IT today.
Who are these new skill paths for?
If you’re interested in an IT, cybersecurity, or cloud career, you’re going to want to have certifications. In Skillsoft’s most recent IT Skills & Salary Report, 90% of leaders said they want to hire professionals with technical certifications. These skill paths are an excellent way to learn exactly what’s covered in certification exams, so you can feel confident and prepared when it’s time to sit for the real exam.
The cool thing about IT, cloud, and cybersecurity certificates is that they help level the playing field in the competitive job market. Career changers or folks with unconventional educational backgrounds can earn certifications to signal to employers that they have the practical, hands-on skills needed to handle a specific domain.
There’s also value in getting certified even if you’re in a non-technical or tech-adjacent role. Certifications can help you improve your cloud literacy, become self-sufficient with basic IT tasks
There are no prerequisites for these courses, but you should have an idea of what you want to do or which certificate you’d like to pursue before jumping in. It also helps to have some basic programming knowledge, an understanding of automation, and strong soft skills. Read this blog to learn how to choose the right certification based on your goals and experience.
What can you learn in the new skill paths?
The skill paths are made up of video-based courses as well as bonus material like skill benchmarks that are designed to mimic actual certification exams. You’ll also find interactive projects in these skill paths, so you can test your knowledge and get hands-on experience applying concepts to real-world scenarios. For example, in the CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ skill path, you’ll complete relevant projects like manually installing Windows 10, creating and configuring a Linux virtual machine, and backing up and restoring a database. All of these features help you feel confident and prepared when it comes time to sit for a certification exam or tackle real-world challenges.
Good to know: You can’t get certified through Codecademy courses alone, but they will provide you with a structured learning experience that prepares you for the exams. Since this is all included in your Codecademy Pro and Plus membership, you don’t have to pay extra for exam prep resources. (However, when you eventually sign up to take the certification exam itself through a credentialing organization, you’ll have to pay a fee that can cost a couple hundred dollars.)
If you decide to take the next step and get certified, you have to purchase vouchers from vendors in order to take the official certification exam. Depending on the certification, it can cost hundreds of dollars simply to take the test. Our courses are the perfect opportunity to explore these domains before you commit the time and money to getting certified.
Which skill path should I take first?
Ultimately, choosing the right skill path and certification for you depends on your individual career goals. Take some time to research what these different careers entail before deciding. We have tons of resources on the blog that will educate you about these fields, for example, a guide to in-demand cybersecurity roles, a list of cloud careers and salaries, and a breakdown of the biggest misconceptions about working in IT.
If you’re just getting started, check out this blog about how to choose a beginner-friendly industry certification and the skill paths that will get across the finish line.