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Feeling stuck in a dead-end job? Looking to become more marketable in your field, or in a new field? Certification courses in a range of fields can give you the chance to broaden your knowledge, prove your skills, and potentially find yourself in a great new job.
Some of the best jobs available today are possible through certification. Fields ranging from healthcare to hospitality, finance to IT all offer certification options for workers. Unlike a four-year degree, certification training typically offers education at a low time and financial commitment for the student.
The Top Certification Programs
Certification programs abound across a number of high-salary fields. Whether you obtain your certification on campus or online, it’s usually possible to complete many programs in a matter of months. Here are just a few of the hottest certification programs available.
Industry Focus: Information Technology (IT)
Because of constantly updating technology, complex job qualifications, and changing standards, IT certification remains some of the most useful certification to obtain. Here are the most popular certification types for IT pros:
Potential Careers: Operations Systems Specialist, Technical Analyst, Computer Field Support Technician, Systems Administrator
Potential Careers: Network and Security Engineer, Network Analyst, Systems Administrator, Wireless Network Engineer
Potential Careers: Field Service Tech, PC Support Specialist, Desktop Support, Printer Service Technician
Industry Focus: Healthcare
Labor estimates suggest healthcare careers are on the rise, due to an aging population, increases in sophisticated technology, and a rise in preventative medicine. Within the industry, a number of clinical and technical fields have their own certification standards. Here are a few popular certifications within the healthcare industry:
Potential Careers: Pharmacy Technician, Provider Auditor, Quality Specialist, Triage Technician
Potential Careers: Nurse Technician, Home Health Aide, Dietary Aide
Potential Careers: Case Manager, RN Quality Auditor, Performance Improvement Coordinator
Industry Focus: Safety
A poll by the National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP) found 93% of workers responsible for workplace safety do not have college degrees in safety, further raising the need for workplace safety certification. Here are just a few popular safety certifications:
Potential Careers: Site Safety and Health Officer, Associate Safety Professional
Potential Careers: Systems Safety Engineer, Regional Safety Manager, Construction Administrator
Industry Focus: Human Resources
Any company with employees could benefit from a professional Human Resources team. HR professionals ensure that employees are trained, qualified, and compensated fairly, and certified HR workers are trained to have a range of abilities. Here are the top HR certification options:
Potential Careers: Employee Relations Director, Assistant HR Manager
Potential Careers: HR Director, Recruiter Team Leader, Employee Benefits Manager
Other Popular Certifications
Certifications aren’t limited to the above fields. Here are a few popular certification options in a variety of industries:
While no certification program can guarantee you a particular career or salary, training programs leading to certification can give you an essential knowledge base you can use in your chosen field. Employers see certification as proof of your experience and ability, and may be more likely to consider your application.
Employers Look for Certification
The training you receive is a practical benefit, but certification has other bonuses. Employers often run searches on job sites like CareerBuilder and Monster for specific certification acronyms. Listing your certification helps potential employers access your information.
Certification Study On-Campus or Online
If you live near a college campus, you may be able to find training courses that fit with your schedule. Students who are already enrolled in school may additionally be able to pick up a training course centered on certification.
Online education is another popular option for certification programs. Accredited online programs exist to help working professionals and students who don’t live near a college campus a chance to pursue degree and certificate programs. Courses are completed in asynchronous fashion, meaning that attendance at a certain hour is not required.
Stay Relevant in Any Industry
Many professionals who already have experience in their chosen industry use certification to keep their training current, further securing their career and potentially resulting in promotion. With certification, your resume should grow stronger as you broaden your educational experience.
Publish date: June 23, 2008
