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Looking for the best ways to grow your career? Want to get a better job and climb the professional ladder? The answer might be to go back to school.

Any job requires a specific set of skills. Even if you already have those skills, you must find a way to prove it. This is where certification courses and programs come in handy.

Whether you’re planning to change jobs or advance in career, licenses and certifications are a must-have. These papers reflect your skills and give you the right to work in a specific field.

The right certification courses can take your career to the next level. Plus, you’ll learn new things and even gain experience. This increases your chances of getting a raise or scoring the job you’re after.

Since most courses take less than a year to complete, they can be a fast track to professional success. Plus, some are available online, so you can have a flexible schedule to study. Choosing one is the hardest part.

What to Look for in Certification Courses

As the costs of education continue to rise, prospective students might wonder if it still pays to get a diploma. After all, most employers are rather interested in your skills than in a piece of paper.

The truth is that unless you have a ton of experience behind, proving your skills may not be easy. Certification courses can show potential employers that you have what it takes to get the job.

Statistics show that unemployment rates are lower among people with a license or certification (BLS as of January 2018).

In 2016, those who had credentials earned about one-third more than those who didn’t have these papers. The chances of getting a job increase with every additional level of education attained.

However, you can’t pick just any course. Look for one that matches your skills and interests. Also, make sure it comes from an accredited institution.

Let’s say you want to hone your IT skills. If you’re a beginner, entry-level courses are the best choice. In case you already have skills in this area, look for intermediate or advanced certification programs.

Make a list of courses that match your interests. Next, check the following aspects:

· Certification requirements

· Type of organization/institution

· Course location

· Course content

· Institutional accreditation

· Assessment methods

· Student satisfaction scores

· Teaching hours

· Competition

For instance, most certification programs only accept a set number of students at a time.

During the selection process, they assess each candidate’s skills and educational background. Therefore, it’s important to know who you’re competing against.

Programs To Consider

Now that you know what to look for in certification programs, pick one that best suits your needs. Consider your budget and schedule as well as the type of job you’re after.

Not sure where to start? Check out these popular courses that can lead to certification, registration or advanced :

Electrical Training

Electricians are in high-demand. After all, everyone needs their services, whether it’s checking a power supply or changing a light fixture.

After completing electrical training, you can work independently or get a job in this field. The certification program will teach you everything you need to know about commercial and residential wiring requirements, safety, and power distribution.

Business Office Administration

Want to learn about today’s most popular software programs? Or perhaps you’re interested in climbing the corporate ladder? If so, consider taking a business office administration course.

This program provides a certificate after graduation and covers business specialty skills such as human resources, business communication, and typing. Plus, you learn how to use the Microsoft Office suite.

Once you graduate, you can work for just about any organization. Start-ups, medium-sized companies, and multinational organizations – they all need your skills.

Those who complete this program can choose from various roles.

You could work as an administrative assistant or coordinator, director of operations, or office manager. Some graduates choose to start their own business so they can provide these services remotely.

Multimedia Specialist

The digital landscape is growing each year. More and more companies are using online marketing, videos, and social media to expand and reach new clients. They’re constantly seeking people who possess the skills needed to build a strong online presence.

As a multimedia specialist, you can help businesses gain a competitive edge. Your responsibilities will include image editing, video production, digital advertising, and more.

A multimedia specialist certification program will prepare you for today’s digitalized world. You will learn about graphic design, banner ad creation, web production, and audio editing. Without a doubt, this is one of the most versatile career choices.

Make Smart Career Choices

These are just a few of the many certification courses available. Depending on your preferences, you can also opt for accounting, IT, or project management programs. It all comes down to what plans you have for the future.

So, what are you waiting for? Check out our certification programs and then select one that matches your skills.

InterCoast provides both online and traditional courses that will take your career to the next level. The choice is up to you.