Working in IT is incredibly rewarding. Technology is the lifeblood of any successful business, and employees in this field are on the front lines of ensuring their company is running as efficiently and effectively as possible. However, the gratifying nature of IT comes at a cost in the form of complex subject matter that is evolving all the time.

One of the best ways to overcome this challenge is by taking a certification course dealing with subjects from your particular field. But don’t just take that at face value. To persuade you of the immense power these classes have, we put together a few reasons why IT professionals should consider getting certified.

The world of modern IT is constantly shifting. What was popular and useful 10 years ago is outdated and in the way now. Workers who can’t keep up with this fast pace very often fall behind. Reading up on current trends may help hone your skills, but at the end of the day, working on your own generally isn’t enough.

Employers need to have strong evidence that you are up-to-date with the latest technologies, and there’s no better way to provide this proof than to receive an IT certification. Going through computer based training in your field of choice shows your manager and your co-workers that you’re committed to your job, and that you’re willing to go the extra mile to ensure the company has the most knowledgeable staff possible.

According to a study conducted by Computerworld, 18 percent of those surveyed said that staying informed about evolving IT features was the “biggest challenge” in front of them today. This was the highest rated obstacle in the study. Considering how fast technology moves these days, this certainly isn’t surprising.

What’s more, it shows just how necessary an IT certification can be. These courses allow workers to update their current knowledge base without having to actually go back to school and earn a degree.

If you’re a motivated individual, you understand the gratifying feeling of having your hard work rewarded by a promotion. Moving up the ladder isn’t just about the money, although it’s certainly a solid benefit. No, advancing at work is about taking pride in your effort, in knowing that you’re the right person for the job.

Employers like to see this kind of drive in their workers, and there’s no better way to show your boss how valuable of an asset you are than to get certified, computer based training in your specific field. Doing so shows you’re committed to your position, and that you want to do everything in your power to improve how your company functions. Employers see this drive and are often quick to reward it.

In fact, the same Computerworld study discovered that many IT workers credit their success to outside technology courses. The report found that 40 percent of those surveyed stated that IT certification training was the “most beneficial” to their upward mobility in their careers.

While the knowledge gained within these kinds of classes is obviously important, simply following through with a certification course shows your employer that you actually care about your job. If you feel yourself stagnating at your current IT position, increasing your education through corporate computer training might be just what you need.

Although satisfaction at work is about a lot more than money, who couldn’t use a few extra dollars in their bank account? You may get a lot more out of your job than simple cash, but at the end of the day, you’ve got bills to pay. This is yet another area where IT certifications can help you improve your life.

To begin with, careers that demand these kinds of courses generally pay extremely well. A good example of this is the Cisco Certified Network Associate program. Someone with the skills gained through completing this certification can eventually work their way up to a Senior Network Engineer position, which can make more than $124,000 annually, according to PayScale. Even regular Network Engineers can springboard a CCNA into a job that can net them more than $96,000 per year, which is well above the nation’s average.

While it’s certainly good to have the ability to make more money than your peers, what a certification can really do for you is to ensure that you don’t make less. Salary.com has stated that certain employers actually expect potential employees to have a certification for a specific position. If the person doesn’t have this course under their belt, they may be offered a salary that is significantly less than others in the field. Clearly, not having a certification is a major detriment to working in multiple IT positions.

Although IT certifications have multiple benefits, they all basically boil down to improving yourself. Working in IT is exciting, but it also requires you to be constantly building off of what you have. Moving up in your career isn’t about schmoozing up to clients or simply being well liked, you need to have the skills and training necessary to prove to your employer that you deserve higher-paying and more challenging responsibilities.

Getting started is always the hardest part, especially if you aren’t sure which course could be most beneficial to your career. If you’d like to start your journey to IT excellence, or if you just want to see what a certification can do for you, we would love to hear from you! Give us a call at 855-TO-THINQ (855-868-4467) or email  website@thinqtanklearning.com.