Tech in 2024: Exploring the IT Landscape and Opportunities
As we come to the end of the first quarter in 2024, the tech job market may appear concerning. The latest layoffs at high profile tech companies and the US economy have given the industry a shake. Contrary to these facts, data seems to show that there are still tech jobs open and low tech unemployment rates. Today I want to look at the current market and why you should be comfortable moving into a career in IT.
Salaries for tech, both entry level and advanced levels
The IT industry continues to have the most competitive salaries in the job market. The skilled tech job market demand continues to remain high. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, median annual wage for a entry level IT position, such as computer user support specialists was $57,890 in May 2022 with a growth outlook of five percent from 2022 to 2032. Advance level positions are easily in six figures
Remote work in the industry
Remote work, once a perk, is a mainstay in the tech industry. It allows for flexibility in work as well as enhance work-life balance. It also allows tech worker to collaborate with team members from around the world. With a globally connected workforce, tech professionals can collaborate with clients and colleagues from around the world. Tech workers can engage with industry leaders, attend virtual conferences, and engage in online communities in a global network.
Learning opportunities
Tech careers allow workers to learn and develop skills. Since it is a priority in the IT business, tech companies actively invest in the professional growth of their employees, offering training programs, workshops, and opportunities to attend conferences. In 2024, tech jobs can also offer workers access to a learning environment where staying on the edge of learning is encouraged and essential.
Innovation and overcoming challenges
Tech careers can lead to positions that contribute to groundbreaking innovations. Artificial intelligence, cyber currency, and other emerging fields allow workers to be at the forefront of technology. Tech jobs allow you to be a part of a community that drives progress and creates solutions to some of the most difficult challenges.
The tech industry is not running out of jobs. It is ever changing, evolving, and growing in ways that offer a wealth of opportunities to techs. Its growth rate is higher than the average occupation. If you love technology and innovation, the tech industry has much to offer.
Talk to you next week,
Mike
Total Seminars has resources to help you self-study for your CompTIA Certifications
Total Seminars e-books are now available: Check out all of our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub.
Practice Tests: TotalTester practice tests have hundreds of questions in a pool that allows you to create custom exams by exam domain or by chapter. Take tests in Practice mode with assistance (hints and explanations) or in Final mode to see if you are ready for the real exams. Includes complete explanations for each question.
Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+ and Network+ have hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn more about technical concepts covered on the exams.
US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.
Upcoming Live training courses. Join our SOC team for 12-weeks of hands-on training and experience. Call 703-740-2909
Talk to someone who made the change to cybersecurity from an IT career. Meet with my friend Patrick and tell him Mike sent ya!
Last week for 2023 voucher prices
Are you considering pursuing CompTIA certifications in 2024? Here’s a heads-up to help you plan your studies and certifications wisely, especially with CompTIA’s price increase effective February 1, 2024. CompTIA increased the costs of all their certification exams, but you can beat the price hike by planning your studies and when you take your certification exam.
CompTIA member companies like Total Seminars are able to purchase vouchers for the CompTIA exams and resell them to students at a discount compared to the full price you would pay when you register with VUE or buy at the CompTIA web store.
Here’s a summary of the retail pricing (US and Canada):
Exam Old Retail Price New Retail Price TS Discount Vouchers (Only through March 15th)
A+ (each) $246 $253 $220.99
Network+ $358 $369 $321.99
Security+ $392 $404 $351.99
CySA+ $392 $404 $351.99
PenTest+ $381 $404 $351.99
ITF+ $134 $134 $119.99
Cloud+ $358 $369 $321.99
Linux+ $358 $369 $321.99
How It Works: Your Roadmap to Savings
- Visit Total Seminars’ Website: Before you register for your CompTIA exam, take a detour to the Total Seminars website. There, you can purchase a voucher at 2023 prices through March 15th.
- Order Processing: Once you’ve made your purchase, we’ll process your order promptly. Expect an email to land in your inbox, containing your voucher number.
- Seal the Deal with VUE: Head over to the VUE website to register for your CompTIA exam. At the payment stage, you’ll have a choice: credit card or voucher. Opt for the latter and input the voucher number from your Total Seminars email.
- Savings that Last: The beauty of Total Seminars discount vouchers? They’re valid for up to 11 months. Check your email for the exact expiry date and make sure to register for your exam online with VUE before that deadline.
By taking advantage of Total Seminars’ Discount Vouchers, you not only beat the impending price hike but also ensure that your certification journey is a budget-friendly one.
Talk to you next week,
Mike
Click here for Mike’s FREE Security+ video offer!
Total Seminars has resources to help you self-study for your CompTIA Certifications
Total Seminars e-books are now available: Check out all of our e-book titles. Available 24/7 for immediate access on the Total Seminars Training Hub.
Practice Tests: TotalTester practice tests have hundreds of questions in a pool that allows you to create custom exams by exam domain or by chapter. Take tests in Practice mode with assistance (hints and explanations) or in Final mode to see if you are ready for the real exams. Includes complete explanations for each question.
Interactive simulations: TotalSims for A+ and Network+ have hundreds of online simulated labs. Prepare for CompTIA’s performance-based questions and learn more about technical concepts covered on the exams.
US and International Discount Exam Vouchers: Purchase a CompTIA voucher and save on the cost of your exams.
Upcoming Live training courses. Join our SOC team for 12-weeks of hands-on training and experience. Call 703-740-2909
Talk to someone who made the change to cybersecurity from an IT career. Meet with my friend Patrick and tell him Mike sent ya!
How to Change Your Career (Part 2) Setting yourself up for success!
So last week I talked about finding the tasks you enjoy and careers that use those skills. Once you find careers you want, you need to find what kinds of companies hire in the careers and where jobs are located. Some careers may require relocation or a lifestyle change. There are tons of job sites that can help you research, like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor. Find networking groups where you can meet people in these careers and learn the local market from them.
While you are doing your research, remember to look at the job postings. Make notes on what skills and certifications employers list. Knowing what skills employers list will help you determine what skills or certs you should work toward and highlight on your resume.
If you’re hoping to transition to an entirely different field that requires an entirely different skillset, you may need to enroll in training courses or a school to get yourself up to speed on the technical skills related to your field of choice. Internships or volunteering are great ways to get experience on your resume. Employers will notice these on your resume.
Now, I’m not going to lie, changing careers in your 20s is a lot different than in your 40s or 50s. Keep your age and lifestyle in mind as you plan to launch your new career. Remember if you have senior job experience, you’ll want to make sure potential employers know about it – if you have the right skills at your disposal, you might not be vying for entry-level positions.
Set and reach goals to make the change, this does not happen overnight. Commit to take a course or obtain industry certifications that will help you get in the career you want. Set dates for these goals. Remember success results when preparation meets opportunity – the more prepared you are and the more you stay on the right track with your goals, the more likely you are to succeed.
Don’t forget we still have a small inventory of CompTIA vouchers at 2023 prices, they won’t last much longer! Get CompTIA certified in 2024 at 2023 prices.
Talk to you next week,
Mike
Starting next Saturday (March 9th), join our SOC team for 12-weeks of hands-on training and experience. Call 703-740-2909
Talk to someone who made the change to cybersecurity from an IT career. Meet with my friend Patrick and tell him Mike sent ya!
How to Change Your Career (Part 1)
People always ask me; how do I change my career. Here are a few things you can start with today to work on finding a viable new career. A career that aligns with your interests and skillsr. Here are several things to start your change to a satisfied career.
What do you want out of a career? (And be honest!)
Ask you self what are you missing in your current job that makes you unhappy?
Are you looking for a better work life balance?
Do you want more challenging work?
Maybe you just want to get paid more?
When changing careers, you must list what you want (and don’t want) form a future career. Ask yourself these questions to help figure out what you want to do:
What would you do that would make you look forward to your work day?
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
What do you need from a career to help you reach your goals?
How much money do you need to make to live comfortably?
What does your dream life look like?
What jobs tasks are deal breakers for you?
You don’t jump into a relationship; you should not jump into a career change without thinking it through. It’s also smart to consider any facets of a job that might be deal breakers. Anyone can work a job to make a living, but when you take the time to make a change, make it something you will enjoy.
Once you find the job tasks you think you will enjoy, begin to look at careers that use those skills. Be certain to research the type of work and salary in the careers to be certain it will meet your expectations. You want to be able to love your work but support your lifestyle.
Next week I will talk more about getting where you need to be to make your plan. If you are interested in changing to cybersecurity, call my friend Patrick. Don’t forget we still have a small inventory of CompTIA vouchers at 2023 prices, they won’t last!
Mike
Security+ On Us, Extended through February!
Next course starts soon. Call 703-740-2909
Talk to someone who made the change to cybersecurity from an IT career.
Shine a Light on CompTIA 2024: Stay Informed, Get Certified!
Don’t be left out in the dark about CompTIA 2024 certification changes. CompTIA is making several updates this year in their certification pathways. If you are studying for a CompTIA certification this year, be certain to know if your studies are affected.
CompTIA has been making some great changes in their certifications. Their latest changes have been significant changes, in a good way! The recent updates in the Security+ certification were not only toward new technologies, but they have restructured the certification to be more relevant to security job roles. CompTIA is addressing cybersecurity trends and techniques that are needed to ensure performance on the job.
But even more changes are coming. CompTIA has been working on adding certification programs for certifications to focus on different areas of IT. We all know the Plus (+) series, but CompTIA is working on new certification series that will focus on the universal need for digital fluency across the IT professions. They have added CompTIA Essentials Series, CompTIA a+ Series Series (referred to as little a+), CompTIA Pro Series, and CompTIA Xpert Series. (The CASP+ certification will be rebranded as SecurityX and become a part of Xpert series.)
The 2024 changes that I want to focus highlight are some of oldies but goodies that we have been working with for years. First and foremost, look for Network+ N10-008 to change this year, it was last released in September 2021. If you are studying now, get a move on it! Although not released yet, if the changes to Security+ and their new certification series are an indication, we will see some big changes in its structure.
Another big change will be the long-awaited update to IT Fundamentals! They will be rebranding the certification name to Tech+ and making some well awaited updates. Also coming in 2024 will be updates to the Cloud+ and PenTest+ certifications.
Keep watching my blog, we will talk more details of the changes.
Talk to you next week,
Mike
Security+ On Us, Extended through February!
Next course starts February 24th. Call 703-740-2909
Talk to someone who made the change to cybersecurity from an IT career.