Advancing your career in IT: A guide to getting a promotion
A career in tech can take many paths, so there’s a great option for anyone, depending on personal preferences and aptitudes. But a common question for IT professionals is what direction to take next to advance within a career. In this blog, we’ll give you more details into how you can take the next step in your career. We’ll show you career path options from starting points achieved through training in the ACI Learning Tech Academy.
Computer User Support Specialist
If you’ve been working in a role related to tech support for at least a year, you might be wondering what your next steps would be. Here are common career advancement paths for Computer User Support Specialists:
Systems Administrator
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Duties: Manage systems and networks.
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Skills: Network management, server admin.
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Certifications: CompTIA Network+, Microsoft Certified: Windows Server.
Network Administrator/Engineer
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Duties: Design and manage network systems.
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Skills: Networking protocols, firewall management.
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Certifications: Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Network+.
IT Support Manager/Help Desk Manager
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Duties: Lead support teams, develop processes.
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Skills: Leadership, project management.
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Certifications: ITIL Foundation, HDI-SCM.
Cybersecurity Specialist
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Duties: Protect against cyber threats.
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Skills: Security protocols, threat analysis.
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Certifications: CISSP, CompTIA Security+, CEH.
Cloud Solutions Architect/Engineer
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Duties: Design and manage cloud strategies.
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Skills: Cloud services (AWS, Azure), virtualization.
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Certifications: AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect.
IT Consultant
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Duties: Advise on IT solutions, optimize infrastructure.
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Skills: Broad IT knowledge, project management.
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Certifications: PMP, CISA.
Database Administrator
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Duties: Manage and maintain databases.
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Skills: SQL, data security.
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Certifications: Oracle OCP, Microsoft Azure Database Administrator.
Information Security Analyst
If you’re in an Information Security Analyst or related role and wanting to advance in your career, here are some roles – and required credentials and skills - to consider:
Security Consultant
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Duties: Provide expert advice on security strategies.
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Skills: Risk assessment, security planning.
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Certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
Penetration Tester/Ethical Hacker
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Duties: Identify vulnerabilities through testing.
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Skills: Ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment.
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Certifications: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP).
Security Architect
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Duties: Design and implement security systems.
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Skills: Security infrastructure, architectural design.
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Certifications: CISSP-ISSAP, SABSA Chartered Architect.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
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Duties: Oversee organization-wide security.
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Skills: Leadership, strategic planning.
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Certifications: CISM, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
Incident Response Manager
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Duties: Manage and respond to security incidents.
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Skills: Incident handling, forensic analysis.
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Certifications: GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Security Operations Center (SOC) Manager
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Duties: Lead SOC team, monitor security operations.
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Skills: Team management, real-time threat analysis.
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Certifications: Certified SOC Analyst (CSA), CISSP.
Cybersecurity Analyst
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Duties: Analyze and mitigate cyber threats.
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Skills: Threat intelligence, advanced analytics.
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Certifications: Certified Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC).
Cybersecurity Analyst
If you’re in a Cybersecurity Analyst or working in a related role and wanting to advance in your career, here are some roles – and required credentials and skills - to consider:
Security Consultant
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Duties: Provide expert advice on security strategies and solutions.
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Skills: Risk assessment, security planning.
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Certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).
Penetration Tester/Ethical Hacker
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Duties: Identify and exploit security vulnerabilities.
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Skills: Ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment.
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Certifications: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP).
Security Architect
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Duties: Design and implement security infrastructure.
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Skills: Security architecture, system design.
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Certifications: CISSP-ISSAP, SABSA Chartered Architect.
Incident Response Manager
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Duties: Lead response to cybersecurity incidents.
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Skills: Incident handling, forensic analysis.
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Certifications: GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).
Security Operations Center (SOC) Manager
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Duties: Manage SOC team, monitor and respond to threats.
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Skills: Team leadership, threat analysis.
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Certifications: Certified SOC Analyst (CSA), CISSP.
Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)
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Duties: Oversee organization-wide cybersecurity strategy.
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Skills: Leadership, strategic planning.
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Certifications: Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
Cloud Security Specialist
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Duties: Secure cloud infrastructure and applications.
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Skills: Cloud security, virtualization.
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Certifications: AWS Certified Security – Specialty, Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP).
Ready for your next step?
Ready to advance in your career? We offer classes online, on campus, during the day, and at night through our Tech Academy locations: San Antonio, Dallas, Colorado Springs, and most of the rest of the USA through our online campus. If you're interested in learning more, reach out to our staff today. We'll match you up with the best certifications for your career goals.
Need more convincing? Take our career quiz to see which path is the right fit for you
