Wake up, go to work, cook dinner, go to bed. Wake up, go to work …
Of course, there are a few activities in between, but where can studying for an advanced certification fit in and where would the energy come from at the end of a long workday?
The first step is the hardest when signing up for a learning course. We hope to give you the extra motivation you need to finally go for it! Here are five ways earning a certification boosts your technology career, making each workday more exciting and fulfilling (both professionally and financially).
1. Career progression and promotions
The most obvious result of earning a certification is career advancement. Certifications can either help you move up at your current place of employment or be the boost you need to break into a new company at a higher level. A certification is a stamp you can proudly put on your email signature or resume and proves to others that you’re willing to invest in your learning and gain the skills that’ll make you a better technologist.
Employers are also likely to acknowledge your commitment to professional development with a raise. The VMware Certified Professional in data center virtualization was ranked in the top 10 of highest-paying certifications in 2022. Companies stand to lose a lot of money when they have IT skills gaps. Skills gaps and undertrained staff often lead to downtime, delayed deployment and missed revenue opportunities. Thus, raises are an excellent way to motivate employees to close these gaps or to reward employees for taking initiative.
2. Better innovator
Advanced certification coursework challenges learners to think outside the box. For example, to earn a VMware Certified Design Expert (VCDX) certification, candidates must architect a design, compose supporting documentation and then defend their design in front of a critical panel. VCDX candidates have 45 minutes to touch upon various objectives, like identifying risks and constraints and collecting requirements. This final assignment requires creativity, excellent presentation skills and a unique approach to impress the judges and pass the exam.
Problem-solving and quick thinking is a key part of any technology job, and certifications teach learners the skills they need to know to excel in various areas. Once you know the principles backwards and forwards, you free up brain space to manipulate those principles to solve complex problems.
3. Better leader and influencer
Did you know that IT professionals with at least one certification enjoy almost 2.5 times the professional influence versus their uncertified colleagues? This power could influence what projects you get to work on or which initiatives your company pursues. When you have the professional clout to dictate your own workload and follow the avenues you’re passionate about, your work is that much more enjoyable and satisfying.
Going back to the VCDX project and defense, the presentation, public speaking and articulation needed to pass are all key skills a leader needs to inspire and instruct a team.
4. Confidence in your professional self
When you have the certification to back up your knowledge, you may take more calculated professional risks and push yourself further than you have before. For instance, the confidence you built in studying and passing your exam may give you the extra push you needed to volunteer for a huge work project, present at a conference, or finally feel comfortable leading and teaching other team members. This confidence can help you forge a new professional path and create a job that lets you have internal influence on the latest best practices in the industry.
5. Network of peers and mentors
After earning your certification, you immediately join a network of supportive peers and mentors. They will be more than happy to give you career advice, support your next professional goal or even give you suggestions on the certification you should strive for next. Whenever you’re unsure about your next professional move, having a soundboard is invaluable in helping you make the best career decisions and calculated risks that’ll get you to where you want to go. Plus, it’s fun to geek out with people who understand the same lingo as you and shared a similar learning path to you!
Your dream job is calling. Go grab it with the help of a certification
VMware Learning offers certifications in the following six areas:
- Data center virtualization
- Network virtualization
- Cloud management and automation
- End-user computer
- Security
- Application modernization
Plus, learners have the option of four different certification levels, from the entry-level VMware Certified Technical Associate (VCTA) to the prestigious VCDX. No matter where you are in your professional technology journey, there’s a level that works with your current skills and will challenge you to become even more knowledgeable.
Once you’re ready to embark on your advanced certification journey, VMware Learning is there to give you the study resources, community support and outstanding course material you need to succeed not only on your exam but in your technology career now and in the future.
Visit the VMware Certification homepage to learn how to get started today!
