Career advancement in the IT industry is closely tied to your professional credentials. Sure, there may be other factors in play like experience, geography, and even office politics. But the numbers quantifying the value of certifications are persuasive.
According to the Global Knowledge 2019 IT Skills and Salary Report, 85 percent of all IT professionals hold at least one certification. This clearly demonstrates that the time and effort required to get certified are well worth it. On this point, the report is crystal clear:
“Certifications still matter because the benefits are unmistakable for both the individual and the organization.”
The Benefits: Higher Compensation
First, let’s talk about salaries. Certification holders earn more than their peers who aren’t certified — across all regions. And the more credentials you earn, the higher your compensation. Nearly 70 percent of IT professionals hold more than one certification, so this is no secret.
By the way, most of the people with at least one certification — 66 percent of them — reported they’re already planning for or pursuing their next certification. So, lots of your IT peers are hard at work on professional development.
High-Value Certifications
Which certifications are most valuable in terms of salary? Citrix dominates the Global Knowledge list of the top 20 highest-paying IT certifications for 2019 with four — more than any other company. These high-paying certs are:
- Citrix Certified Expert – Virtualization (CCE-V)
- Citrix Certified Professional – Virtualization (CCP-V)
- Citrix Certified Administrator – Networking (CCA-N)
- Citrix Certified Administrator – Virtualization (CCA-V)
New Training Resources
To help you earn these and other Citrix certifications, we’re always improving our training offerings. For example, Citrix Education is launching new courses, such as the upcoming:
CWS-415: Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 Assessment, Design and Advanced Configuration course that prepares you to achieve the CCE-V certification.
CWS-315: Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 Advanced Administration course that prepares you to achieve the updated CCP-V certification.
CWS-215: Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 Administration On-Premises and in Citrix Cloud course that prepares you to achieve the updated CCA-V certification.
The Benefits: Better Job Performance
In addition to helping qualify you for a higher salary, certifications can improve your effectiveness on the job. According to the survey respondents, after earning a new certification:
- 52 percent say their expertise is more sought after within their organization
- 45 percent have implemented efficiencies
- 43 percent are faster at performing their job
The rewards of certifications are not limited to the individual — they also enhance your IT team and your whole organization. Global Knowledge found that certified professionals are better at closing skills gaps, meeting client requirements, being more productive, taking less time to troubleshoot issues, and completing projects more quickly.
Put Certifications to Work for Your Career
Now that you have the latest facts and figures on the value of certifications, we encourage you to enroll in Citrix training courses that will prepare you to take your next certification exam. Browse our catalog of instructor-led and e-learning courses or contact a Citrix Education specialist.
