How to Start a Career in IT Certifications: 8 Practical Steps for Beginners
This guide explains how to start a career in IT certifications for beginners in a clear, practical, and step-by-step way.
Starting a career in Information Technology (IT) can feel overwhelming, especially with the number of certifications, tools, and career paths available today. If you’re a beginner or someone looking to switch careers into IT, certifications can be a powerful way to build knowledge, credibility, and job readiness.
Understanding how to start a career in IT certifications begins with choosing the right fundamentals and learning path.
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This guide explains how to start a career in IT certifications step by step, without confusion or hype.
Why IT Certifications Matter
IT certifications help validate your skills and show employers that you understand specific technologies or concepts. For beginners, certifications offer three major benefits:
- Structured learning – You know exactly what to study
- Career direction – Certifications align with job roles
- Better opportunities – They improve resume visibility
While certifications alone won’t guarantee a job, they significantly improve your chances when combined with hands-on practice.
Step 1: Understand the Major IT Career Paths
Before choosing any certification, it’s important to understand the main IT domains. Some common entry-level paths include:
- IT Support / System Administration
- Cloud Computing
- Cybersecurity
- Networking
- Identity & Access Management
- Compliance & Governance
Each path requires a different set of skills. Choosing the right path early helps you avoid wasting time and money on irrelevant certifications.
Step 2: Start with Fundamentals (Don’t Skip This)
Many beginners make the mistake of jumping directly into advanced certifications. This often leads to frustration and failure.
Instead, start with fundamental certifications that explain core concepts:
- What is cloud computing?
- What is identity and authentication?
- How do networks and systems work?
- What is security and compliance?
Fundamentals help you build confidence and clarity, even if you don’t have prior IT experience.
Step 3: Choose Beginner-Friendly Certifications
If you are just starting out, focus on entry-level certifications designed for beginners.
Some popular beginner-friendly certifications include:
- IT fundamentals certifications
- Cloud fundamentals certifications
- Security fundamentals certifications
These certifications are:
- Non-technical or lightly technical
- Concept-focused
- Designed for students and career switchers
They help you understand terminology and real-world usage without deep technical complexity.
Step 4: Match Certifications to Career Goals
One of the most important steps is aligning certifications with your career goal, not trends.
Ask yourself:
- Do I want to work in the cloud?
- Am I interested in security and compliance?
- Do I prefer support and administration roles?
Once your direction is clear, certifications become easier to choose.
For example:
- Cloud-focused learners can move toward cloud fundamentals
- Security-focused learners can start with security basics
- Support roles benefit from system and identity knowledge
There is no “one-size-fits-all” certification.
Step 5: Build Hands-On Skills Alongside Certifications
Certifications should never be studied in isolation.
To truly grow in IT:
- Practice what you learn
- Use labs, demos, or free-tier tools
- Explore real-world scenarios
Hands-on learning helps you:
- Understand concepts better
- Retain knowledge longer
- Perform better in interviews
Even basic practice makes a big difference at the beginner stage.
Step 6: Create a Learning Roadmap (Simple One)
A simple beginner roadmap could look like this:
- Learn IT and cloud basics
- Complete one fundamentals certification
- Practice with basic labs or demos
- Choose a specialization (cloud, security, admin)
- Move to role-based certifications
This approach keeps learning focused and stress-free.
Step 7: Avoid Common Beginner Mistakes
Many beginners struggle because of avoidable mistakes:
- Chasing too many certifications at once
- Choosing advanced certifications too early
- Studying only theory without practice
- Expecting instant job offers
IT careers are a long-term journey, not a shortcut.
Consistency matters more than speed.
Step 8: Certifications vs Experience – The Truth
Certifications do not replace experience, but they help you gain entry-level opportunities.
Think of certifications as:
- A door opener
- A learning framework
- A confidence builder
Pair certifications with:
- Projects
- Labs
- Continuous learning
This combination is what employers truly value.
Who Should Start with IT Certifications?
IT certifications are ideal for:
- Students and fresh graduates
- Career switchers from non-IT backgrounds
- Professionals wanting structured learning
- Anyone serious about building IT fundamentals
You don’t need to be a “tech expert” to begin.
Final Thoughts
Starting a career in IT certifications doesn’t require deep technical knowledge or years of experience. What it requires is clarity, patience, and consistent effort.
Begin with fundamentals, choose certifications aligned with your goals, practice regularly, and grow step by step. Over time, certifications combined with hands-on skills can open doors to exciting IT opportunities.
Your IT journey doesn’t have to be complicated; it just needs to be intentional.
Official platforms such as Microsoft Learn provide free, beginner-friendly IT training resources.