01 May Top Online Courses for Certifications for Tech Jobs
As the times of the traditional college degree being a necessary requirement for tech jobs are transforming and becoming less of an industry standard, certifications from online courses are becoming a new norm for a lot of people looking to get into the tech field or for professionals already in the industry who are looking for career advancement. Tech companies and other businesses are starting to realize that some online courses teach the same valuable skills that their employees will need without having to do all of the extra, unnecessary work that may come with courses for a traditional degree. Online degrees and certificates from online schools are easily accessible, more affordable, and offer just as much experience for students, allowing them to qualify for better opportunities and a wide range of positions in the tech sector. In this article, we will talk about the benefits of the online courses and where to find the best online courses for certifications to land your next tech job!
Benefits of Online Certifications
One of the biggest benefits of online certifications and degrees is that they don’t require prerequisites and allow the participants to earn more qualifications in a given field or area of expertise, as well as building a variety of skill sets. This also means that anyone is eligible for the programs and there is no discrimination or cutoff period where you cannot enroll in the course. There are some other fantastic benefits to taking these online courses that can lead to entry-level careers in tech. Here are just a few of them:
- Online courses are cost-effective: obtaining an online certificate can cost much lower than getting a typical two or four-year degree program. There are some courses that offer free resources like lectures, assignments, and discussions in the area of study.
- Flexible Learning: another great perk is that a lot of these online classes and programs allow students to learn at their own pace or offer flexible scheduling options. Students can study on their lunch breaks or watch lectures while at the gym! A lot of these courses have students participating in hands-on projects, allowing them to get real-world experience in their desired field.
- Certifications can be completed fairly quickly: Some online courses can be completed as quickly as six to eight weeks, whereas a degree in the same field could take as little as two years. Online learning platforms can offer courses that can be completed in under a year, meaning students can find work quickly after their certification.
Top Online Courses for Tech Certifications
If you’re looking to start a career in tech, make a change in your career path, or perhaps looking to add more technical skills to your resume to make yourself a more qualified candidate, here are some of the top online technology courses and online IT certifications to help you land your next job in tech!
Cybersecurity
In the tech world, security is one of the most important aspects for businesses. Every day, thousands of hackers attempt to steal information from companies and hack their systems, causing hours of downtime and losses. Keeping crucial and private information safe is a top priority of every IT department, so having qualified experts in cybersecurity is imperative to success. Cybersecurity courses help train you on how to spot potential security risks and how to defend the systems against attacks, as well as how to secure digital files and information. Other skills you may learn are tech support skills, network security, security access monitoring, and how to implement and install anti-malware security software. Coursera has numerous online cybersecurity courses, including this top-rated free course from the University of Maryland.
Software Development
Software development is the creation, testing, and maintenance of software frameworks, applications, and its tools. This is an essential role in IT infrastructure and is the cornerstone of business success when it comes to technology. A great software tool can help improve productivity, improve sales, streamline business processes, and more. Software development is considered to be one of the core courses to take when looking to start a career in information technologies and become a software developer. Large companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, Verizon, and more are hiring developers to help continue to improve their products. There are multiple levels to becoming a developer and the skills you’ll learn include full-stack development, backend development, and front-end development.
Backend Development
Backend software development plays a crucial role in building robust and scalable applications that power the digital world. To excel in this field, it is essential to acquire specialized knowledge and skills through online courses tailored for backend development. Platforms like Udemy, Coursera, and edX offer a variety of comprehensive courses such as ‘The Complete Node.js Developer Course’ and ‘Building Scalable Web Applications with Java’ that delve into backend technologies and frameworks. These courses cover topics like database management, API development, server-side scripting, and more. While practical experience and projects are valuable, obtaining a certification in backend software development further enhances your credentials and demonstrates your commitment to professional growth.
A certification showcases your expertise to companies in the tech industry, validates your skills, and differentiates you in a competitive job market. It provides potential employers with confidence in your abilities and serves as a tangible proof of your dedication to mastering the intricacies of backend development.
Front-End Development
Front-end software development is the gateway to crafting engaging user interfaces and enhancing the user experience of web applications. As the demand for visually appealing and user-friendly websites grows, it becomes crucial to acquire the necessary skills through online courses tailored for front-end development. Platforms like Codecademy, Pluralsight, and FreeCodeCamp offer a wide range of courses such as ‘The Complete Web Developer Course‘ and ‘Responsive Web Design’ that cover HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and popular front-end frameworks like React and Angular. These courses provide hands-on experience in building interactive websites and teach essential concepts like layout design, responsive development, and front-end optimization.
Obtaining a certification in front-end software development holds immense value in the tech sector. It showcases your proficiency in front-end technologies, validates your knowledge and skills, and sets you apart from other candidates. A certification not only demonstrates your dedication to mastering front-end development but also instills confidence in potential employers that you possess the expertise required to create captivating and intuitive user interfaces. In a competitive job market, a recognized certification in front-end development can significantly enhance your chances of securing a rewarding tech job and embarking on a successful career in the industry.
There are also courses that can train you in programming languages, security, and operating systems. This is a high-demand area of study and there are a number of great courses available online to help build these skills. One of the top courses available is this free online course provided by Duke University that focuses on the Java programming language and the fundamentals of software engineering.
Database Management
Database management certifications provide professionals with the knowledge and credentials to effectively design, implement, and administer robust databases. Industry-recognized certifications such as Oracle Certified Professional (OCP), Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Database – Specialty validate expertise in specific database platforms and technologies. These certifications cover various aspects, including data modeling, query optimization, security, and performance tuning. By earning a database management certification, professionals demonstrate their commitment to staying updated with the latest database technologies and best practices. This not only boosts their employability but also enhances their credibility and opens doors to a wide range of career opportunities in database administration, data engineering, and analytics.
Businesses must collect a significant amount of data in order to keep up with trends and stay successful. In order to do so, they must have skilled technicians who are able to design, implement, and optimize database management systems. Taking database management courses can teach you the necessary tech skills to upgrade hardware and software, as well as how to develop policies and procedures that secure databases. Google has several database management certificate programs available, including this free course on Coursera.
Data Science
With artificial intelligence becoming a common tool in the technology sector, data science is becoming a high-demand skill to have when looking for a career in IT. Other technologies like machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing require data science skills as well. Data science professionals are in dire need, so taking these courses can make you a high-demand candidate for tech companies. In these certification courses, you will learn about subjects like Data Visualization, Predictive Analytics, Business Intelligence, and more. There are a wide variety of certification courses and online programs available, including this course from Harvard University.
Find Your Next Tech Role with Scion Technology!
Have you recently taken an online course centered around a tech skill and find yourself looking to start a career in IT or another job in the tech sector? Scion Technology is a national technology recruiting firm that specializes in finding amazing tech roles for qualified candidates and technology professionals. Whether you just got your cybersecurity certification or finished a course in Google Analytics, Scion Technology’s experienced team of recruiters can help you find your dream job in the tech world. Contact us today or visit our website to learn more information!
