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

• Information Security Analyst

• Network Support Specialist

• Senior Technology Project Manager

• Cybersecurity Analyst

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

• Duties: Manage systems and networks.

• Skills: Network management, server admin.

• Certifications: CompTIA Network+, Microsoft Certified: Windows Server.

Network Administrator/Engineer

• Duties: Design and manage network systems.

• Skills: Networking protocols, firewall management.

• Certifications: Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Network+.

IT Support Manager/Help Desk Manager

• Duties: Lead support teams, develop processes.

• Skills: Leadership, project management.

• Certifications: ITIL Foundation, HDI-SCM.

Cybersecurity Specialist

• Duties: Protect against cyber threats.

• Skills: Security protocols, threat analysis.

• Certifications: CISSP, CompTIA Security+, CEH.

Cloud Solutions Architect/Engineer

• Duties: Design and manage cloud strategies.

• Skills: Cloud services (AWS, Azure), virtualization.

• Certifications: AWS Solutions Architect, Azure Solutions Architect.

IT Consultant

• Duties: Advise on IT solutions, optimize infrastructure.

• Skills: Broad IT knowledge, project management.

• Certifications: PMP, CISA.

Database Administrator

• Duties: Manage and maintain databases.

• Skills: SQL, data security.

• 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

• Duties: Provide expert advice on security strategies.

• Skills: Risk assessment, security planning.

• Certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

Penetration Tester/Ethical Hacker

• Duties: Identify vulnerabilities through testing.

• Skills: Ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment.

• Certifications: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP).

Security Architect

• Duties: Design and implement security systems.

• Skills: Security infrastructure, architectural design.

• Certifications: CISSP-ISSAP, SABSA Chartered Architect.

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

• Duties: Oversee organization-wide security.

• Skills: Leadership, strategic planning.

• Certifications: CISM, Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

Incident Response Manager

• Duties: Manage and respond to security incidents.

• Skills: Incident handling, forensic analysis.

• Certifications: GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Security Operations Center (SOC) Manager

• Duties: Lead SOC team, monitor security operations.

• Skills: Team management, real-time threat analysis.

• Certifications: Certified SOC Analyst (CSA), CISSP.

Cybersecurity Analyst

• Duties: Analyze and mitigate cyber threats.

• Skills: Threat intelligence, advanced analytics.

• Certifications: Certified Cybersecurity Analyst (CySA+), GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC).

Network Support Specialist

If you’re in a Network Support Specialist or related role and wanting to advance in your career, here are some roles – and required credentials and skills - to consider:

Network Administrator

• Duties: Manage and maintain network infrastructure.

• Skills: Network configuration, troubleshooting.

• Certifications: CompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA.

Network Engineer

• Duties: Design and implement network solutions.

• Skills: Network design, advanced routing, and switching.

• Certifications: Cisco CCNP, Juniper Networks Certified Internet Associate (JNCIA).

Systems Administrator

• Duties: Oversee servers and network systems.

• Skills: Server management, network integration.

• Certifications: Microsoft Certified: Windows Server, Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA).

Security Specialist

• Duties: Protect network and data integrity.

• Skills: Network security, threat mitigation.

• Certifications: CompTIA Security+, Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Cloud Network Specialist

• Duties: Manage and secure cloud-based network solutions.

• Skills: Cloud networking, virtualization.

• Certifications: AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty, Microsoft Certified: Azure Networking Associate.

Network Analyst

• Duties: Analyze and optimize network performance.

• Skills: Network monitoring, performance tuning.

• Certifications: Cisco CCNA, Certified Network Professional (CNP).

Network Manager

• Duties: Lead network support and administration teams.

• Skills: Team leadership, project management.

• Certifications: ITIL Foundation, Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT).

Senior Technology Project Manager

If you’re in a Senior Technology Project Manager or working in a related role and wanting to advance in your career, here are some roles – and required credentials and skills - to consider:

Program Manager

• Duties: Oversee multiple related projects, coordinate project managers.

• Skills: Strategic planning, portfolio management.

• Certifications: Program Management Professional (PgMP), Managing Successful Programmes (MSP).

Portfolio Manager

• Duties: Manage a portfolio of projects and programs to achieve strategic objectives.

• Skills: Portfolio management, risk management.

• Certifications: Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP), Certified Project Portfolio Manager (CPPM).

Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

• Duties: Lead the technology vision and strategy for the organization.

• Skills: Technology strategy, leadership.

• Certifications: Certified Chief Information Officer (CCIO), relevant advanced business certifications like MBA.

Director of Project Management

• Duties: Oversee the project management department, implement best practices.

• Skills: Departmental leadership, project governance.

• Certifications: Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified ScrumMaster (CSM).

Business Analyst Manager

• Duties: Lead a team of business analysts, bridge business and IT.

• Skills: Business analysis, requirements gathering.

• Certifications: Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP), PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA).

Agile Coach

• Duties: Guide organizations in adopting Agile methodologies.

• Skills: Agile frameworks, coaching and mentoring.

• Certifications: Certified Agile Coach (ICP-ACC), Certified Scrum Coach (CSC).

Enterprise Architect

• Duties: Align IT strategy with business goals, develop enterprise-wide architecture.

• Skills: Enterprise architecture frameworks, strategic alignment.

• Certifications: TOGAF Certified, Certified Enterprise Architect (CEA).

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

• Duties: Provide expert advice on security strategies and solutions.

• Skills: Risk assessment, security planning.

• Certifications: Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), Certified Information Security Manager (CISM).

Penetration Tester/Ethical Hacker

• Duties: Identify and exploit security vulnerabilities.

• Skills: Ethical hacking, vulnerability assessment.

• Certifications: Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Offensive Security Certified Professional (OSCP).

Security Architect

• Duties: Design and implement security infrastructure.

• Skills: Security architecture, system design.

• Certifications: CISSP-ISSAP, SABSA Chartered Architect.

Incident Response Manager

• Duties: Lead response to cybersecurity incidents.

• Skills: Incident handling, forensic analysis.

• Certifications: GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH), Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP).

Security Operations Center (SOC) Manager

• Duties: Manage SOC team, monitor and respond to threats.

• Skills: Team leadership, threat analysis.

• Certifications: Certified SOC Analyst (CSA), CISSP.

Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

• Duties: Oversee organization-wide cybersecurity strategy.

• Skills: Leadership, strategic planning.

• Certifications: Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).

Cloud Security Specialist

• Duties: Secure cloud infrastructure and applications.

• Skills: Cloud security, virtualization.

• 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