IT professionals have access to some of the most diverse and exciting career paths in the world. There is just so much going on in IT. How do you make sense of it all while still maximizing earning potential and career advancement opportunities? By embarking on one of several different CompTIA Pathways.
Also known as Roadmaps, CompTIA Pathways are designed as structured certification paths that guide IT professionals along the road of career development. Each pathway is organized as a logical progression based on individual specialization and skill level. Simply put, completing a particular CompTIA Pathway leads an IT professional to the next logical step of their career.
Here at ProTrain, we help IT professionals supercharge their CompTIA Pathways learning through our Season Pass program. CompTIA Season Pass offers 25 hours of training content along with online labs. In addition to the extra training, students are provided access to live Zoom sessions, an online discussion board, and virtual mentorship.
5 Main Pathways
CompTIA certification through one of the designated pathways begins by determining which is the best pathway to be on. CompTIA offers five distinct career pathways as follows:
- Core Skills Pathway – This is the starting point for professionals new to CompTIA. It covers foundational skills and includes fundamental certifications.
- Infrastructure Pathway – This pathway builds on core skills with more advanced certifications. Options include things like Linux+ and Cloud+.
- Cybersecurity Pathway – The Cybersecurity Pathway builds on core skills as a student earns advanced security certifications. Certification examples include CASP+ and PenTest+.
- Data and Analytics Pathway – This Pathway places a heavy emphasis on data-related skills. The Data+ certification is an example of what can be earned through this pathway.
- Professional Pathway – Finally, the Professional Pathway leans to highly specialized certifications in things like project management (Project+) and cloud computing (Cloud+).
We invite you to take a look at what is known in the industry as CompTIA Battlecards here. Pay particular attention to the Battlecard on page 3. It offers a fantastic visual representation of CompTIA’s five Pathways.
How Pathways Are Structured
The Pathway method of learning has proven itself among IT professionals looking to advance their careers through logical and progressive education. Pathway success is largely due to how learning is structured. There are three key elements:
- Skill Level – CompTIA Pathways are organized according to skill level. Professionals begin at entry-level and move toward expert-level certifications.
- Progressive Learning – Pathways are created on the building block principle. Each successive certification course builds on the knowledge gained from the previous course.
- Career Alignment – CompTIA certifications are aligned with specific IT roles and competencies. This allows for completing the pathway most aligned with an individual’s career choices.
Note that not all CompTIA Pathways are set in stone. They are actually quite flexible. A Pathway is a roadmap. It guides the IT professional through various levels of training to help them achieve career goals. But each professional can choose certifications based on specific career needs rather than adhering directly to a given Pathway.
Pathways Are Vendor Neutral
The last thing we want you to know about CompTIA Pathways is that they are vendor neutral. They focus on general IT skills rather than proprietary vendor technologies. In addition, CompTIA certifications are recognized throughout the IT industry.
We invite you to learn more about CompTIA certification through ProTrain. When you call (844) 292-8641 to speak with one of our career counselors, don’t forget to ask about ProTrain’s CompTIA Season Pass. Adding Season Pass to your CompTIA certification Pathway will supercharge your learning to advance you along your career path more quickly.
