The IT industry offers a wide range of career paths for people with the right technical skills, industry-recognised certifications and a willingness to keep learning. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to move into a more specialised role, certifications can help you stand out and prove your capabilities to employers.
At NILC, we work with learners across Wales and the UK to help them build careers in IT. One of the most common questions we get is:
“Which certification should I do next?” It depends on your goals and experience, but successful IT professionals tend to follow certain patterns.
Start with the Fundamentals
If you’re new to IT, your first goal should be to build a solid foundation. Employers want to see that you understand the basics of hardware, software, networking and troubleshooting.
Recommended entry-level certifications:
- CompTIA Tech+ – For those who want to explore IT before committing to a specific path.
- CompTIA A+ – A widely recognised starting point for IT support roles.
- Microsoft Certified: Fundamentals – Covers cloud, security and productivity tools.
- AWS Cloud Practitioner – A good introduction to cloud computing.
These certifications are ideal for helpdesk, technician or junior support roles. They also give you a feel for different areas of IT, which helps when deciding what to specialise in later.
Choose a Direction That Matches Your Strengths
Once you’ve got the basics, it’s time to think about where you want to go. IT is a broad field, and the most successful professionals tend to specialise in one of five areas:
1. Infrastructure and Cloud
If you enjoy working with networks, servers and cloud platforms, this is a strong career path. Roles include network engineer, systems administrator and cloud architect.
Certifications worth considering:
These roles are in demand across all sectors, especially as more organisations move to cloud-based infrastructure.
2. Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing areas in IT. It suits people who are analytical, detail-oriented and enjoy solving problems.
Certifications to look at:
- CompTIA Security+
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst CySA+
- CompTIA PenTest+
- Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
- CISSP Certified Information Systems Security Professional (for experienced professionals)
Cybersecurity roles range from security analyst to penetration tester to security architect. There’s also strong demand in the public sector and regulated industries like finance and healthcare.
3. Data and AI
If you’re interested in data analysis, machine learning or AI, this path is for you. It’s ideal for people who enjoy working with data to solve business problems.
Certifications to explore:
- CompTIA Data+
- Microsoft Azure Data Scientist Associate (DP-100)
- Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
- AWS Machine Learning – Associate or Specialty
- Tableau Certified Data Analyst
Data roles are growing rapidly, especially in sectors like retail, healthcare and logistics where data-driven decision-making is key.
4. Software Development
For those who want to build apps, websites or automation tools, development is the way to go. It’s a good fit for logical thinkers and problem-solvers.
Certifications to consider:
- Python Institute PCEP/PCPP
- Oracle Certified Java Programmer
- Microsoft Azure Developer Associate (AZ-204)
- AWS Developer Associate
You don’t need a computer science degree to become a developer, but you do need to show you can write clean, working code and understand software lifecycle principles.
5. IT Service and Project Management
If you’re more interested in managing people, processes or projects, this path is worth exploring. It’s ideal for those with strong communication and organisational skills.
Certifications to consider:
- CompTIA Project+
- AgilePM Foundation
- AgilePM Practitioner
- ITIL Foundation
- PRINCE2 Foundation
- PRINCE2 Practitioner
- PMI CAPM or PMP
These roles are essential in larger organisations where IT teams need to deliver services efficiently and align with business goals.
Build Experience Alongside Study
Certifications are valuable, but they’re not enough on their own. Employers want to see that you can apply your knowledge in real-world situations.
Here are some ways to build experience:
- Volunteer for IT support roles in local charities or schools.
- Freelance on platforms like Upwork or Fiverr.
- Create a home lab using virtual machines or cloud services.
- Document your projects on GitHub or a personal blog.
At NILC, we encourage learners to combine study with hands-on projects. For example, if you’re studying for Network+, build your own network and document the setup. If you’re learning Python, write a script that automates a task you do regularly.
Progress to Advanced Certifications
Once you’ve got a few years of experience, you can move on to more advanced certifications. These are often required for senior roles and can lead to higher salaries.
Examples include:
- CompTIA Cybersecurity Analyst CySA+ or CompTIA Pentest+
- AWS Solutions Architect – Professional
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)
- Cisco CCNP or CCIE
- CISSP or CISM – For security leadership roles.
These certifications are more demanding, but they carry serious weight in the industry. They also help you move into roles with more responsibility and strategic input.
Keep Learning – IT Never Stands Still
Technology changes fast. New tools, threats and platforms appear all the time. That’s why continuous learning is essential in IT.
- Stay current – Follow blogs, podcasts and YouTube channels in your area.
- Join communities – Reddit, Discord, LinkedIn groups and local meetups.
- Renew your certs – Many certifications require renewal every 2–3 years.
- Upskill regularly – NILC offers short courses and workshops to help you stay sharp.
The CompTIA IT Certification Roadmap is a useful reference. It shows how certifications from different providers fit together and what level of experience they’re aimed at. It’s not a checklist, but it can help you see what’s possible and plan your next move. We’re happy to send you a copy – just get in touch.
How NILC Can Support Your IT Career
At NILC, we’ve helped hundreds of learners in Wales and across the UK build successful careers in IT. We offer a wide range of CompTIA courses – CompTIA Training Courses with several delivery formats:
- Instructor-led training (virtual)
- Instructor-led training (in-person/classroom style)
- Self-paced – Learn from e-learning videos at your own pace.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to specialise, we’re here to help you prepare for exams, gain certifications and take the next step in your career, like moving into cybersecurity, networking or cloud architecture.
