Most of us don’t look forward to tax season. It can be a lot of work gathering paperwork and inputting your information from the past year. But getting a refund from Uncle Sam somehow makes it all worthwhile. If you’re getting a refund this year, how do you plan to spend it? Before you blow your cash on something you really don’t need, consider investing in yourself.
If you’ve ever thought about a career in technology, now is the perfect time to get started. Overall demand for workers with tech skills remains high – despite the Big Tech layoffs we’ve been seeing on the news. And if the upfront cost to start studying for an IT certification has been your barrier to-date, now’s the perfect time to put your tax refund to good use.
But before we show you how to do that, let’s take a look at how investing in yourself and launching a tech career can impact your professional and personal journey.
I Want a Career, Not Just a Job
One of the biggest perks of working in the technology industry is the sheer abundance of different pathways you can take. Most people start with a position in IT support. Roles like IT specialist, field service technician, help desk technician or technical support specialist will give you the foundational experience you need to build confidence as you troubleshoot and manage common IT issues. In addition to building their knowledge base, IT pros use their time in these entry-level roles to further explore the industry and learn what interests them. Perhaps you have a knack for infrastructure, an interest in cybersecurity or a natural curiosity for data. There is a future for you in tech.
I Want To Support My Family
It’s a fact that IT careers pay well – even at the entry level. Add to that the above-average growth in job opportunities and you’ve got yourself a pretty solid option for a career with growth potential. Some of the top-paying (six-figure) tech jobs include enterprise architect, machine learning engineer, database architect and DevOps engineer. And while these positions are more advanced, you have to start somewhere. Of course, factors like geographic location and company size can affect salary. Use the CompTIA IT Salary Calculator to determine what’s realistic in your area. Set your sights high and make a plan to get there!
I Want a Better Work-Life Balance
Setting professional goals and achieving them is important – but it’s not the only thing that matters. Having a solid work-life balance that allows you to enjoy hobbies, be home every night for dinner or take a well-earned vacation is the key to preventing burnout. Fortunately, the majority of IT pros enjoy this benefit. Many IT roles allow you to work remotely or in a hybrid arrangement. Some positions offer a range of shifts that fall outside of the traditional 9-to-5 schedule. And many jobs promote flexibility and other benefits like unlimited PTO. If a work-life balance is something that’s important to you, an IT career may be a good fit.
Start With CompTIA A+
You don’t need a four-year degree to start your IT career. Earning an industry-recognized IT certification is a great way to build foundational knowledge and get hands-on experience. That’s where CompTIA A+ becomes valuable.
One of the reasons CompTIA A+ is trusted for launching IT careers is because it validates your foundational knowledge via performance-based questions. This means that as you prepare for your exam, you are thrown into simulated real-life scenarios that you will encounter on the job. In order to earn CompTIA A+, you have to actually perform tasks during your certification exam versus just answering questions to gauge your knowledge. Employers who look for (or require) CompTIA A+, like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Dell, HP, Intel, Nissan and Ricoh, understand this value.
Related Blog: Is CompTIA A+ Certification Worth It?
3 Ways To Invest in Yourself
CompTIA offers a variety of training solutions to help you learn the content covered on the CompTIA A+ exams. It’s important to first take a look at the exam objectives (you can download them for free) and then make a plan for yourself. Consider the following options based on how much money you’ll be getting back from Uncle Sam this year.
Getting a $500 Refund?
Check out these CompTIA A+ self-study options:
Training | Description | Price |
eBook covering 100% of Core 1 and Core 2 exam objectives.* | $184.00 | |
Printed study guide covering 100% of Core 1 and Core 2 exam objectives. | $204.00 | |
Gradable hands-on assessments that align to Core 1 and Core 2 exam objectives.* | $266.00 | |
Timed practice test with performance-based questions to reinforce what you know and close knowledge gaps.* | $266.00 |
*Valid for 12 months once redeemed.
Getting a $1,000 Refund?
Check out these CompTIA A+ self-study options:
Training | Description | Price |
Self-paced lessons with practice questions, videos and performance-based questions.* | $678.00 | |
Includes two exam vouchers and retakes as well as a self-paced study guide.* | $720.00 | |
Includes two exam vouchers and retakes, a self-paced study guide and CompTIA CertMaster Practice.* | $926.00 |
*Valid for 12 months once redeemed.
Getting a $2,000 Refund?
Check out these CompTIA A+ self-study options:
Training | Description | Price |
Includes two exam vouchers and retakes as well as CompTIA CertMaster Learn + Labs.* | $1,441.00 | |
Includes two exam vouchers and retakes, CompTIA CertMaster Learn + Labs and CompTIA CertMaster Practice.* | $1,647.00 |
*Valid for 12 months once redeemed.
We all know that a tax refund isn’t “free” money, but sometimes it can feel that way. If you’re on the receiving end of a refund this year, investing in yourself and your career will pay off exponentially in the future.
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