Thinking about switching careers and stepping into the world of IT? You’re not alone. With the tech industry booming and offering high salaries, flexible work environments, and long-term growth potential, it’s no surprise that professionals from all backgrounds—from finance and education to sales and healthcare—are making the shift. The best part? You don’t need a degree in computer science to break into IT. What you need is the right roadmap, practical skills, and certifications that prove you’re ready.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through beginner-friendly certifications, how they align with various IT roles, and how to structure your learning path if you’re starting from scratch in 2024.
Why Certifications Matter for Career Changers
Certifications act as a stepping stone. For someone new to the tech space, they:
- Validate your skills to potential employers
- Provide structure and direction in your learning
- Offer hands-on experience through labs and simulations
- Often require less time and money than a traditional degree
Think of them as your new resume boosters—compact, effective, and laser-focused on specific skills that employers actually need.
Step 1: Decide Your Path in IT
Before diving into certifications, consider which branch of IT aligns with your interests and background. Here are a few popular ones:
- IT Support / Help Desk – Great for those who enjoy troubleshooting and interacting with people.
- Networking – Ideal if you like systems and how devices connect and communicate.
- Cybersecurity – Perfect for detail-oriented thinkers who want to protect data and systems.
- Cloud Computing – A growing field that deals with virtual infrastructure and remote services.
- Data Analytics – Great for those with analytical minds who enjoy interpreting data.
- Software Development – Coding and building applications, suited for creative problem-solvers.
Step 2: Beginner-Friendly Certifications to Start With
Let’s break down the top certifications that career changers can consider in 2024, categorized by job pathway:
💻 IT Support
Certification: CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+)
- Why It’s Good: Perfect for beginners. Covers the basics of IT concepts, terminology, and infrastructure.
- What It Leads To: Entry-level IT support roles or stepping up to CompTIA A+.
Certification: CompTIA A+
- Why It’s Good: Industry standard for IT support roles. Covers hardware, software, troubleshooting, and customer service skills.
- Job Roles: IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician
🌐 Networking
Certification: CompTIA Network+
- Why It’s Good: Great for building foundational networking skills like IP addressing, routing, and troubleshooting.
- What It Leads To: Network Administrator, Systems Technician
Certification: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
- Why It’s Good: Recognized globally, focused on enterprise-level networking and Cisco systems.
- Job Roles: Network Engineer, Infrastructure Engineer
🔐 Cybersecurity
Certification: CompTIA Security+
- Why It’s Good: A top choice for newcomers interested in cybersecurity. Covers risk management, threat detection, and network security.
- Job Roles: Security Analyst, SOC Analyst, Junior Penetration Tester
Certification: Certified Cybersecurity Entry-Level Technician (ISC2 CC)
- Why It’s Good: Entry-level cert by the creators of CISSP. Builds credibility early in your career.
- What It Leads To: SOC roles, support positions in security teams
☁️ Cloud Computing
Certification: AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner
- Why It’s Good: Beginner-friendly. Teaches basic cloud concepts, billing, security, and AWS platform services.
- Job Roles: Cloud Support Associate, Junior Cloud Analyst
Certification: Microsoft Azure Fundamentals (AZ-900)
- Why It’s Good: Focuses on Microsoft’s cloud services. No tech background required.
- What It Leads To: Azure Administrator or Solutions Architect track
📊 Data Analytics
Certification: Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate (Coursera)
- Why It’s Good: Offers hands-on training with real-world projects. Focused on tools like Excel, SQL, and Tableau.
- Job Roles: Data Analyst, Business Intelligence Analyst
Certification: IBM Data Analyst Professional Certificate
- Why It’s Good: Covers Python, data visualization, and data analysis tools in a beginner-friendly format.
- What It Leads To: Junior Data Analyst or entry roles in analytics teams
👨💻 Software Development
Certification: Meta Front-End Developer Certificate (Coursera)
- Why It’s Good: Great for those interested in building websites. Covers HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and React.
- Job Roles: Junior Web Developer, Front-End Developer
Certification: Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) – Software Development Fundamentals
- Why It’s Good: Introduces basic programming concepts. Helpful for those new to coding.
- What It Leads To: Further study in C#, Python, or Java development
Step 3: Hands-On Practice
Certifications alone won’t land you a job—you also need practice. Here’s how to build experience:
- Set up labs: Use free or low-cost tools like TestOut, VirtualBox, or GitHub projects.
- Take advantage of simulations: Many certification courses, like those from Ascend Education, include hands-on labs and virtual scenarios.
- Volunteer for IT tasks: Help friends or nonprofits with basic IT support or website maintenance.
- Join online communities: Forums like Reddit, Stack Overflow, and LinkedIn groups can offer peer advice and networking.
Step 4: Build a Job-Ready Resume
Once you’ve got 1–2 certifications under your belt and some practice, it’s time to show it off.
Include:
- A clear summary: “Aspiring IT professional with hands-on experience in [area], certified in [certification].”
- Projects: Personal or course-related projects (e.g., setting up a network, analysing datasets)
- Soft skills: Problem-solving, teamwork, communication
Don’t wait for perfection—apply for jobs as soon as you’ve gained confidence and understanding. Many employers value passion and effort just as much as experience.
Step 5: Keep Learning and Level Up
Once you land your first IT role, keep upskilling. Mid-level and advanced certifications (like CompTIA CySA+, AWS Solutions Architect, or Cisco DevNet Associate) will help you climb the ladder and specialise further.
And remember—IT is always evolving. Staying updated is part of the job, and certifications can help keep you in the loop.
Final Thoughts
Breaking into IT as a career changer in 2024 is more doable than ever. With structured, beginner-friendly certifications and access to hands-on learning platforms like Ascend Education, the transition can be smooth, affordable, and even exciting.
Whether you’re solving tech issues, analysing data, securing networks, or building software, there’s a place for you in the IT world. It’s not about where you started—it’s about where you’re headed.
