There is no doubt that online Information Technology certifications are becoming increasingly popular. This can be attributed to several factors, including the convenience and flexibility they offer, as well as the growing demand for certified professionals.
There is a global shortage of qualified workers, and employers are struggling to find skilled applicants to fill open positions. Certification can help close the skills gap. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts computer and information technology occupations will grow 13 percent from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. An estimated 667,600 new jobs in this field are projected to be added during this timeframe as a result of increased demand for cloud computing services, big data storage solutions, and improved information security measures. As of May 2021, median annual salaries for workers in these occupation categories were $97,430 compared to the overall median salary across all occupational fields of $45,760. As of September 2022, average wages for entry-level IT professionals is around $57,693, according to Indeed.com.
In addition, certified professionals tend to earn, on average, around $111,334, which is 7% more than their non-certified counterparts. Professionals who’ve gained a new certification in the last year have reported a $12,000 to $13,000 wage increase. In addition, some 91% of hiring managers say that being certified is an important hiring benchmark, which makes the candidates stand out among others and presents a strong case for a raise or promotion. At the end of the day, third-party validation will always trump self-promotion.
MyComputerCareer is an accredited trade school that specializes in IT certification preparedness, helping our students earn certifications from leading providers such as Cisco, CompTIA, Microsoft, Linux, and EC-Council. In this article, we will take a look at some of the pros and cons of online IT certifications.
What Are The Pros of Online IT Certifications?
There are several advantages to earning online IT certifications as opposed to earning them on-campus. These benefits might include:
- Learn From Anywhere: One of the best things about online learning is you can do it from anywhere, as long as you have a reliable internet connection. While some candidates may afford the time to take part in an on-campus training course, others have outside responsibilities like a job or family that prevent them from doing so. Online IT certifications provide access to the same level of education without having to disregard their other commitments.
- Learn At One’s Own Pace: Another great advantage of online learning is students can learn at their own pace. Some students may be able to grasp the material more quickly than others and, as a result, will be able to complete the certification course in a shorter period. For other students who require more time to absorb the information, they can take longer to complete the certification without feeling the pressure of being in a classroom full of other students.
- Affordability: Online IT certifications are often more affordable than their on-campus counterparts. There are no physical classroom costs, and, in many cases, the online courses are offered by the same providers as the on-campus courses. In addition, some online courses may offer payment plans to students who cannot afford to pay for the entire course upfront.
- Time Saver: Online IT certifications can also be a great time saver. As opposed to having to commute to and from an on-campus location, students can complete their coursework from the comfort of their own homes. In addition, online courses might offer more flexible scheduling options than on-campus courses, which is beneficial for students with busy schedules.
- More Access To The Curriculum: In some cases, online IT certifications allow more access to the curriculum than on-campus courses. This is because online courses are often recorded and made available to students at any time, whereas on-campus classes typically follow a set schedule. As a result, students who have missed a class or who want to review the material later can do so by accessing the recorded lectures.
What Are The Cons of Online IT Certifications?
While there are several advantages to earning online IT certifications, there are also some disadvantages that should be considered. These include:
- Less Social Interaction: One of the main drawbacks of online learning is it can be quite isolating because students are not physically present in a classroom with their peers and instructors. As a result, they may miss out on important social interactions in the classroom setting.
- More Self-Discipline And Motivation Required: Another downside of online learning is it requires a great deal of self-discipline and motivation. Since students are not being directly supervised by an instructor, they may be more likely to procrastinate or miss deadlines.
- Work-Life Balance Issues: For some students, the flexible nature of online learning can be both a pro and a con. While it is beneficial for students who have busy schedules, it can also be detrimental for students who have trouble managing their time. It can be easy to get behind in one’s coursework if there isn’t a set schedule to follow.
- Not Having Access To The Right Technology: To be successful in an online course, students need access to a reliable computer and a high-speed internet connection. For some students this may not be possible, which can make online learning quite difficult.
- Higher Drop-Out Rates: Studies have shown that the drop-out rate for online courses is can be higher than in-person learning. All of the factors above can impact this number.
Takeaway
As you can see, there are both advantages and disadvantages to earning online IT certifications. However, the pros may outweigh the cons for some students. If you are considering earning an online IT certification, be sure to research the organization to see if it is the right fit. While online IT certifications have several advantages, the possible disadvantages should be considered.
The bottom line is earning an IT certification online is more efficient and beneficial for some than it is for others. It all depends on the pros and cons highlighted above. Fortunately, MyComputerCareer provides training both online, which is available nationwide, as well as on-campus in 8 locations across Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, and Indiana. Feel free to schedule a virtual campus tour or contact us directly for more information.