I told off my boss, now I make double my salary in IT without a degree

Here’s how you can do the same.

By Stack Commerce

Posted on Sep 12, 2024 9:00 AM EDT

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I may or may not have told off my boss and got myself fired a few months ago. The truth is, I never liked working in customer service—my real passion is working with computers and helping people with theirs. And, during my unsuccessful job search, I discovered I could get a job in IT without a degree.

All I had to do instead was get certified, and that sounded way easier than going to college. CompTIA is one of the industry’s most widely recognized credentials, but their study guides are almost as expensive as tuition. I was so happy I found these affordable CompTIA training courses at $39.99 for ten different certifications (reg. $299.90).

I make double my salary now, no degree required

I’m now working as an IT help desk technician, which is unspeakably better than getting yelled at by angry customers in a drive-thru. The pay’s way better, too. (The yearly average is $54,000, according to Glassdoor.)

The first step in landing this spiffy new job was studying for the CompTIA A+ certification. There were about 16 hours of content in that course, and I tried to set aside about an hour each day. It only took me a few weeks to get through all the material on working with hardware, networks, and computer systems. 

Studying wasn’t just memorizing a bunch of complicated concepts. The IT training also had practice tests, quizzes, and hands-on exercises. By the time I was finished, I felt prepared to schedule my official exam through CompTIA. I passed with flying colors.

Since IT is more in demand than many other industries, it wasn’t hard to land a job, either. I applied for a couple of positions and got an offer in a few weeks. It’s been a game-changer having a job that I actually enjoy. 

However, now that I have nine other CompTIA training courses, I have my sights set on advancing my career. Maybe I’ll work in cloud computing, network administration, or ethical hacking someday. All I have to do is study.

If you want to make a career change like me, start with this CompTIA online training bundle at $39.99 (reg. $299.90). It’s just $4 per course—a steal.

StackSocial prices subject to change.

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