The youth of today is our future and the best way to empower the youth
of our country is through education. Tertiary education is a very important
stepping stone to reaching the goal of getting that dream job.
There are quite a few debates on the relevance of degrees in this day and
age. Technology is changing and advancing at a rapid pace and so the relevance
of the content in the first year of study comes into question after the
completion of the degree. It is important that tertiary education not be left
out of the technology loop. This is where computer training and certification
play a big role.
Certification programmes are evolving, becoming more workplace and performance-oriented
providing a more valuable and credible tool for future employers to assess
someone’s skills. By completing a vendor-specific certification, you show that
you have the necessary skills to do the job with the benefit of becoming internationally
recognised. You also do not have to study for years to get recognition for those
skills.
Most certification examinations are being updated as soon as the
technology changes, which means that a certified professional will be required
to re-certify every 2-3 years to remain relevant and to keep up to date with
industry standards. By updating your skills set and certifications, it shows
your commitment and willingness to grow and adapt to a rapidly evolving
workplace environment.
The IT industry increasingly requires students to enter companies with
real-life, structured practical experience, as well as an in depth theoretical
background. Look out for learnership and internship opportunities. These give
graduates the opportunity to study market relevant technologies and receive
relevant exposure from companies, making them more employable. So even if you are already working but
considering a career change, these are great options that could set you apart
from the rest.
Certifications are not just limited to the IT industry. There are a lot
of different certifications for the business, design and other fields of study.
Do your homework beforehand and make sure that you study, train and/or certify
with an accredited institution.
There is a huge demand for women in the technology industry, since women in IT are a minority. A reason for this might be
that IT roles have always been stereotyped. Women need more role models to look
up to in the IT sector. According to an article written by Joe Kelly, the lack
of women in IT roles is leading some firms to favour highly qualified female
applicants over their male competitors in a bid to better spread opportunity
and drive workplace diversity.
You can make a difference. Dare to make that career choice, study hard, be a success and don’t be shy to broadcast it to the world.
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