Career Development Blog

As you embark on the next step in your career, it can be tough to decide where to start, especially if you’re seeking additional training. Career training programs and college degrees can give you a huge leg-up on the competition, but they take time and money. If you’ve been laid off, you need to find a new job fast, and you might not have the savings to pay for additional training and certification, even if it means a higher salary in the future. If you’re secure in your employment, these expenses can still be significant, and they can eat into your savings and personal life.

Learning is a lifelong process, and it can revolutionize your career if you take advantage of it. By earning an entry-level certification such as CompTIA A+, you’ve opened a range of options and opportunities for your career and education.

You can dive into the workforce immediately, gaining experience as a help desk technician or IT support staff member. These positions offer good salaries and the opportunity to learn and develop your own skills on the job, especially if you have the drive to teach yourself at every opportunity.

Whether you’re brand-new to the tech industry or hoping to advance your career with additional certifications, career training offers an efficient path to employment and education. The traditional college route is expensive and long, and it doesn’t always bring results, while many free educational resources lack the proof of expertise you need to show employers.

There is no question that working in network security has its perks. To begin with, there is no shortage of jobs. Cybersecurity Ventures predicts that there will be 3.5 million job openings in the cybersecurity field by 2021. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also shows steady job growth for network security professionals, predicting a 28 percent increase from 2016-2026 with an annual median salary of $98,350. Yet although these facts make network security a smart field to get into, they are not the only draw to these jobs.

Between training, traveling, and deployment, military service presents unique challenges for building a career. Military spouses often struggle to find the time to continue schooling, and it’s an expensive prospect for tight budgets. After deployment, it can be challenging to translate military experience to civilian fields.