“This can be developed through certifications like those that CompTIA or AWS [Amazon Web Services] provide,” he says. While previously many technology jobs demanded formal certifications, especially in industries such as cybersecurity and networking, today’s high demand for technology talent means many employers have become more lenient in their education requirements, he says.
“Now, those hiring for tech talent are more willing to forgo their degree and certification requirements if candidates can demonstrate they have the necessary skills and experience to do the job,” Farnsworth says. “Candidates can showcase these by highlighting their previous relevant roles and projects, freelance work, skills and/or knowledge of specific tools or programs the role requires, or testimonials from their former employers or connections.”
Larsen recommends obtaining and staying up to date on relevant certifications, such as those related to the major cloud providers. It’s a good idea to be familiar with common tools such as Git, Kubernetes, and Terraform, as well as Agile practices, she says. But ultimately, success in IT is about having the skills and the ability to perform the work, not necessarily having a particular formal education in IT, she says.
