The Best Certification for the Hottest Jobs

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:

• MCP: Microsoft Certified Professionals have the skills to implement Microsoft products or technologies. Every business that relies on Microsoft could potentially rely on you for support.

Potential Careers: Operations Systems Specialist, Technical Analyst, Computer Field Support Technician, Systems Administrator

• CCNA: Cisco Certified Network Associates know how to install, troubleshoot, operate, and configure medium-sized routed and switched networks. Advanced protocol knowledge is part of the curriculum.

Potential Careers: Network and Security Engineer, Network Analyst, Systems Administrator, Wireless Network Engineer

• A+: The standard for computer support specialists, the A+ certification (also known as CompTIA A+) is intended for support professionals with over 500 hours of experience in the field.

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:

• CPhT: Certified Pharmacy Technicians work under the supervision of licensed pharmacists to provide medication and health care products to patients. CPhTs may also work in billing or auditing sectors, away from the pharmacy.

Potential Careers: Pharmacy Technician, Provider Auditor, Quality Specialist, Triage Technician

• CNT: Certified Nurse Technicians work closely with nurses to provide professional care to patients. As the nursing shortage continues, demand for CNT jobs and certification may grow.

Potential Careers: Nurse Technician, Home Health Aide, Dietary Aide

• CPHQ: Certified Professionals in Healthcare Quality typically come to certification with some educational and work experience in healthcare. Hiring managers for management positions often prefer CPHQ certification in their applicants.

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:

• LSP: The highest level of certification offered by the NASP, Licensed Safety Professionals must have completed advanced safety study courses along with Master Safety Administrator Certification.

Potential Careers: Site Safety and Health Officer, Associate Safety Professional

• MSA: Master Safety Administrator certification prepares you for a future LSP certification as it can give you a suitable framework to work in the field.

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:

• PHR: Professional in Human Resources certification requires experience in the field and specialized training in elements of risk management, human resource development, and workforce planning.

Potential Careers: Employee Relations Director, Assistant HR Manager

• SPHR: For a step above PHR, Senior Professional in Human Resources certification requires more experience and a greater level of training in exchange for potentially higher positions in the HR department.

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:

• Health Support: Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)
• Hospitality: Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA)
• Internal Auditing: Certified Internal Auditor (CIA)
• Manufacturing: Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT)
• Homeland Security: Certified Public Safety Manager (CPSM)

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.

Sources:
"Certifiably Empowering: Hot Fields in Which Certification May Boost Your Career" by Katharine Hansen for QuintCareers
CareerBuilder
Cisco CCNA
CompTIA A+
HRCI Overview
HQCB
NASP