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15 Entry-Level Tech Jobs You Can Pursue with a Certificate

By Steve Smith

The information presented here is true and accurate as of the date of publication. DeVry’s programmatic offerings and their accreditations are subject to change. Please refer to the current academic catalog for details.

 

November 30, 2022

9 min read

 

If you’re thinking about pursuing a career in computer and information technology, you may already be aware of the broad and interesting range of entry-level tech jobs in this field. 

This industry is growing fast. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in computer and information technology occupations is projected to grow 15% on a national level from 2021 to 20311, much faster than the average for all occupations, and more than 400,000 job openings per year, on average, are projected as a result of continued growth and to replace people who leave the workforce.

By now, you’ve likely asked yourself two questions: What tech jobs for beginners are available, and what education and industry certifications might be required for each of them? 

It’s important to note that individual employers may have unique requirements in hiring for tech jobs, and that earning an undergraduate certificate does not guarantee that you’ll be hired.  

That said, here is a list of 15 entry-level tech jobs that you can pursue with an undergraduate certificate:

1. Cloud Support Specialist 

Combining the elements of technical knowledge, customer service and project management, the role of cloud support specialist provides the initial contact for customer via chat, email and phone. Cloud support specialists manage customer service intake queues and strive to respond rapidly to customers’ concerns.

2. Network Systems Administrator

Network systems administrators focus primarily on maintaining computer networks and systems. These systems may include local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and virtual private networks (VPNs). They install, configure and troubleshoot switches, routers, wireless access points and other physical hardware to ensure network security and functionality. In this role, maintaining cyber security is a top priority.

3. Cyber Security Analyst 

Cyber security analysts are responsible for protecting a company’s network and systems. They review suspicious activities, report breaches and educate employees on security measures. Their focus is protecting technology and data stored in electronic form. 

4. Information Security Analyst 

Through a combination of policies, procedures and technical measures, information security analysts ensure that information such as financial, consumer identity and medical information is kept confidential. They are often the first line of defense in protecting an organization’s data. People in this tech job are responsible for analyzing the flow of data and identifying weaknesses that cybercriminals could exploit.

5. Data Miner

Using data in decision-making is an essential skill in the workplace. Data mining specialists explore and sort vast quantities of data to uncover patterns and irregularities so their organization can understand them, and eventually use them to gain a competitive edge, launch new services, refine pricing and promotional strategies or increase revenue and profitability.

6. Field Service Technician 

Entry-level field service technicians, as the name implies, work mostly in the field, traveling to sites where they install, maintain, repair and test equipment, unlike computer use support specialists, who work mostly from a remote computer. They may work in virtually any industry. 

7. IT Help Desk Support Specialist 

Requiring elements of customer service, communication and technical knowledge, IT help desk support specialists perform an important function—helping people with computer problems. Also known as support specialists or technicians, they work directly with individual employees who mainly do not have IT backgrounds to diagnose and solve computer problems.

8. IoT (Internet of Things) Technician

The widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as voice assistants, home security systems and smart thermostats and fixtures is creating the need for people who know how to install, connect and troubleshoot them. Possessing a combination of technical abilities and customer service skills, IoT technicians troubleshoot customer issues, program and assemble networked devices and assist users both remotely and in-person. 

9. Computer Network Support Specialist 

Also called technical support specialists, individuals in this tech job analyze, troubleshoot and evaluate computer network problems. Blending technical and people skills, they convey concepts to customers and, in some cases, remotely operate customers’ computers to resolve complex issues.

10. Network Technician

Responsible for supporting end-users of data communications networks, network technicians install, troubleshoot and maintain computer hardware. They also manage software and data communications equipment to ensure that it is fully functional and up to date.

11. Coder 

As they work on a variety of project types, including mobile app development and website creation, software coders write and develop applications using software coding languages, also known as programming languages. 

12. Mobile App Developer 

Working in popular operating system environments like iOS and Android, mobile app developers use programming languages to create and test applications that are designed to be used on mobile devices.

13. Software Application Developer 

Software application developers design applications for business, industry, gaming and other categories. Working in this field, you may create custom software for a specific customer or commercial software for public use. 

14. Web Developer 

Web developers code, design and build websites according to a company’s specifications, unique content and marketing needs, and other characteristics like user experience and function. In web development, some graphic design and computer programming skills may be useful.

15. Computer Systems Analyst 

If you are analytically minded and an effective communicator, pursuing a career as a computer systems analyst may be a good choice. 

Computer systems analysts ensure that all computer systems impacting an organization’s goals are supported. The role looks at the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems to identify areas for improvement and communicates issues and solutions to corporate decision-makers.

Industry-Aligned Certificate Programs Can Help Prepare You for a Tech Career

At DeVry, our 100% online undergraduate tech certificate programs can help you build beneficial skills, explore exciting opportunities in the tech field and prepare to pursue tech industry certifications that can help you boost your career potential. 

  • Cloud Computing: Our Undergraduate Cloud Computing Certificate program helps you gain hands-on experience using digital devices, sensors and cloud-based tools to build relevant IoT (Internet of Things) systems. Covering the fundamentals of wired, optical and wireless technologies, cloud computing, data center visualization, network design, networking and security and operating systems, this certificate program can prepare you to pursue an entry-level position as a Cloud Support Specialist.

  • Cyber Security: With its focus on defending against data breaches, our Cyber Security Certificate program can help prepare you to pursue a career as a Network Systems Administrator, Cyber Security Analyst or Information Security Analyst with the fundamental skills to combat cybercrime. Courses in this program will teach you how to design strategies to protect information, infrastructure and brands against cyberattacks.

  • Data Mining: Our Undergraduate Certificate in Data Mining and Analytics can teach you the skills to build, verify and test data models upon which sound business decisions are made, preparing you to pursue an entry-level position as a Data Miner.

  • Engineering Technology: Our Engineering Technology Certificate Program arms you with the fundamental knowledge of engineering principles, information technology and systems automation. Through hands-on learning, you can build many of the skills needed to support the maintenance, installation and testing of automated, computer-based or distributed systems and prepare to pursue an entry-level role as a Field Service Technician.

  • Information Technology Essentials: You can develop many of the core skills needed to pursue an entry-level role as an IT Help Desk Support Specialist or Computer Systems Analyst with our IT Essentials Certificate. This program is designed to help you prepare for an IT career by exposing you to concepts across the broad field of tech. Gain hands-on experience with IoT projects, networking, digital devices, programming, operating systems and more. Elements of this curriculum will also help you prepare to pursue industry IT certifications like CompTIA A+, LINUX+, NETWORK+ and Cloud+. 

  • Internet of Things: Our Internet of Things Certificate program can help you gain important parts of the IoT education needed to implement, configure and manage IoT systems without any prior tech industry experience and prepare you to pursue an entry-level role as an IoT Technician.

  • Networking Essentials: Our Undergraduate Certificate in Networking Essentials can teach you how organizations and businesses are networked to exchange secure information in wireless and hardwire formats. Covering networking, problem-solving, data analysis, digital devices and digital literacy, this program can prepare you to pursue an entry-level role as a Computer Network Support Specialist or Network Technician. You’ll also gain hands-on experience with IoT technologies and projects.

  • Programming Essentials: Our Computer Programming Essentials Undergraduate Certificate program is designed to provide exposure to essential concepts in this area, and no prior tech experience is required. Courses in this program will prepare you to pursue an entry-level position as a Coder, writing code and creating applications using industry-recognized programming languages like Python.

  • Software Design & Solutions: If you’re interested in pursuing an entry-level role as a Mobile App Developer or Software Application Developer, our Undergraduate Certificate in Software Design and Solutions can help you develop new skills like programming, database concepts and the implementation of software design strategies. Built around our Tech-Empowered Learning approach, this certificate program will also teach you advanced application and product development, coding, programming and database systems and digital devices and operating systems.

  • Web & Mobile Application Development: Our online Undergraduate Certificate in Web and Mobile Application Development can prepare you to pursue an entry-level role as a Web Developer. This program also incorporates our Tech-Empowered Learning attributes and can help you learn about operating systems, coding, programming, mobile programming, web and mobile application design and digital devices. Courses in this certification program will help you gain hands-on experience developing interactive websites and mobile device applications using programming languages such as HTML, JavaScript, CSS and Java.

Grants and Scholarships Can Make Your DeVry Education Even More Affordable

Students enrolling in our IT Essentials, Networking Essentials or Programming Essentials Certificate programs at DeVry may be eligible to apply for a $2,400 Tech Essentials Grant, which offers qualifying undergraduate students the additional financial assistance to pursue their interest in the growing technology field.2 Specific criteria apply. 

Students enrolling in our Undergraduate Cyber Security Certificate program may qualify for financial assistance through our Future Cyber Defenders Scholarship, which awards eligible cybersecurity students who apply and qualify up to $1,500 per semester in scholarships, as well as a $400 grant to cover designated fees within their first session of enrollment. Minimum eligibility criteria apply.

Jump-Start Your Tech Career with a 100% Online Certificate from DeVry

Adding a certificate to your resume can be a great way to take that important first step toward pursuing a career in IT. At DeVry, our tech certificates can be earned 100% online, so you can learn when and where you like, balancing your commitment to education with work, family and other obligations. 

Learn more about our tech certificate programs and available grants and scholarships for qualifying students today. 

1Growth projected on a national level. Local growth will vary by location. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/home.htm

2The Tech Essentials Grant will be awarded upon completion of the IT Essentials Certificate program. The grant will be applied to your student account. If a credit is generated, funds may be sent to you unless you have borrowed loans as funding would then be returned to your lender. Some restrictions apply: Scholarships and Grants

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