15 best certifications for a career change you won’t want to miss

Learning something new is likely one of the first steps you’ll need to take when transitioning to a new career. However, earning a new college degree is time-consuming and expensive. Luckily, there are a lot of great certifications available that can help you start a new career in a hurry. In this article, we’ll look at 15 of the best certifications for a career change and what it takes to be awarded one.

Here’s what we will look at:

• Are certifications worth it?

• 15 best certifications for a career change

• Tips for finding the best certification course

Are certifications worth it?

A professional certification is a credential an individual can earn that shows their expertise in a certain field or industry. Usually, they are awarded by industry associations and each requires the individual to meet certain criteria, such as passing a standardized exam, completing education and training, and having a particular amount of experience in the industry.

You may benefit from obtaining a certification in a number of ways. For example, a certification helps to validate your skills, which is especially helpful when you are changing careers. It also gives you credibility and marketability that can help you stand out in the crowd of candidates.

Some industries require certain certifications from their employees. Depending on your goals, a particular certification may also be a requirement when it comes to career advancement. These are all things you should consider when deciding whether a certification is worth it for your situation.

15 Best certifications for a career change

There are many different certifications to choose from, so it’s a good idea to narrow down your options before pursuing one during a career change. Below, we will take a closer look at some of the top certifications for a career change and what skills you will need. Each one requires that you take a specialized exam and many also have other requirements involved. Researching the selected options further can help you decide which is the best for you. 

Here are 15 certifications you will want to research further:

1. Project Management Professional (PMP)

A PMP is a globally recognized certification that the Project Management Institute awards. The training  surrounding this certification is directly related to leading and managing projects. Some of the skills you will need to perfect include project initiation, planning, and execution, as well as monitoring, controlling, and closing.

2. Professional in Human Resources (PHR)

The Human Resource Certification Institute is responsible for awarding PHR certifications. Those who are interested must show mastery of key human resource principles and practices related to HR management, such as staffing, employee relations, benefits, and compliance.

3. Cisco Certified Internetwork Expert (CCIE)

Cisco Systems, Inc. is a leading networking and IT company, and it is this company that awards the CCIE certification. For those in the networking industry, the CCIE is a must-have certification. The skills needed include the ability to design, implement, manage, and troubleshoot complicated networking infrastructure systems.

4. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

The CBAP is awarded by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). To pass this exam, you must show a comprehensive understanding of business analysis principles, practices, tools, and techniques. You will also need a certain number of hours of work experience and professional development. 

5. Google Professional Certifications

There are numerous Google-focused certifications you can acquire. Some of the most popular are related to Google Ads, analytics, support, cloud, and UX design. Each comes with its own distinct list of requirements and education topics. What makes them some of the best certifications for a career change is that you can use a number of online learning platforms, such as Coursera or Google’s learning platform to earn them.

6. Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

The CPA is a certification regulated in the USA and involves certain education, experience, and exam requirements set by the State Board of Accountancy. Considered trusted financial advisors, CPAs are required to hold a certain level of ethics. They can hold jobs in the public accounting, tax planning, auditing, and forensic accounting sectors.

7. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)

CISM is a global certification you can gain through the Information Systems Audit and Control Association. With it, you are showing you can manage, design, and assess a company’s information security program. You will oversee security policies, manage security risks, and work with security operations and incident response programs. 

8. Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM)

There are two parts to a CPIM certification: Basics of Supply Chain Management and Detailed Scheduling and Planning. Skills needed to earn this certification include supply chain planning, demand management, material requirements planning, and continuous improvement methods.

9. Health care certifications

For those interested in pursuing health-care-related jobs, there are a number of certifications to consider. Top options are registered nursing, certified nursing assistant, licensed practical nurse, certified medical assistant, and certified pharmacy technician. However, there are many specialized certifications in other various healthcare areas, such as administration, imaging, nursing, and allied health.

10. Certified Inside Sales Professional (CISP)

The American Association of Inside Sales Professionals is responsible for the CISP certification. It is specifically for those working in inside sales roles, especially when products and services are sold remotely or online. To successfully be awarded this certification, you’ll need to master the sales process, which involves prospecting, lead generation, objection handling, and customer relationship management.

11. Six Sigma Certification

Six Sigma Certification is all about process improvement. Those getting this certification care about reducing defects in processes, services, and products. Ultimately, this will lead to less variation and waste. There are a variety of levels to this certification, each building on the one before it. You’ll start at the White Belt level before moving on to the Yellow, Green, and Black Belt. The highest Six Sigma level is the Master Black Belt, which requires you to mentor Green and Black Belts.

12. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

If you love managing complex projects, a CSM might be the best option for you. The goal is to deliver high-quality products through collaboration, continuous improvement, and iterative development. Training for this certificate involves a two-day course conducted by a certified Scrum trainer. You’ll learn Scrum theory, practical techniques, and more during this time. You’ll then take an online test to show you can apply these principles to real-world scenarios.

13. Certified Financial Planner (CFP)

The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. is the organization that awards CFP certifications. Those with this certification have master financial, investment, retirement, tax, and estate planning principles. They are also experts at risk management, insurance planning, and employee benefits and have strong ethics and professional standards.

14. Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

You’ll need a full understanding of business analysis principles, practices, techniques, and tools if you are to be awarded a CBAP from the International Institute of Business Analysis. The exam covers solution assessment, validation, stakeholder engagement, and requirements analysis. You also need a certain number of hours of professional development.

15. AWS Certified Solutions Architect

Amazon Web Services offers this certification. It involves designing and deploying scalable, available, and fault-tolerant systems on the AWS system. To successfully obtain this certification, you’ll also need to select AWS services based on certain requirements, identify and define technical requirements, and design cost-optimized architectures based on business objectives.

Tips for finding the best certification course

If you decide that getting  professional certificates is worth it, you’ll find a lot of options out there. Not only will you need to decide what type you want, but you’ll also need to figure out where to get one from. 

When deciding on a certification program, here are five tips to keep in mind:

• Start with your goals. Decide what skills or knowledge you hope to gain from the certification as well as your career objectives. Determine how the course will help you reach those goals.

• Stick with reputable providers. When choosing a course, select a well-established institution directly tied to your field of interest. Accreditation, industry recognition, and reviews are all important here.

• Research instructor qualifications. You also want to ensure the instructors you are learning from are qualified. They should have subject matter expertise and a history of providing quality instruction.

• Study certification requirements. Each certification will come with its own set of requirements.Check those requirements and ensure the course will provide you with everything you need to fulfill those requirements.

• Determine what support you receive. Most courses also provide access to additional means of support, such as study groups, online forums, and mentors. These are all things that can enhance your ability to learn.

Once you are ready to put your new certifications to work for you, the Career.io Job Search tool is ready to help you find the best position for your skills!

Key takeaways

1. Certifications can validate your skills and show your commitment to learning and professional development.

2. When changing careers and choosing a certificate to pursue, first consider your career goals and objectives.

3. Each certificate offers unique opportunities for career growth and requires specific skills and qualifications.

4. Researching your options further can help you choose the certification that will best suit your career and aspirations.