15 Entry-Level Tech Jobs You Can Pursue with a Certificate

Combining the elements of technical knowledge, customer service and project management, the role of cloud support specialist provides the initial contact for customer via chat, email and phone. Cloud support specialists manage customer service intake queues and strive to respond rapidly to customers’ concerns.

Network systems administrators focus primarily on maintaining computer networks and systems. These systems may include local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) and virtual private networks (VPNs). They install, configure and troubleshoot switches, routers, wireless access points and other physical hardware to ensure network security and functionality. In this role, maintaining cyber security is a top priority.

Cyber security analysts are responsible for protecting a company’s network and systems. They review suspicious activities, report breaches and educate employees on security measures. Their focus is protecting technology and data stored in electronic form. 

Through a combination of policies, procedures and technical measures, information security analysts ensure that information such as financial, consumer identity and medical information is kept confidential. They are often the first line of defense in protecting an organization’s data. People in this tech job are responsible for analyzing the flow of data and identifying weaknesses that cybercriminals could exploit.

Using data in decision-making is an essential skill in the workplace. Data mining specialists explore and sort vast quantities of data to uncover patterns and irregularities so their organization can understand them, and eventually use them to gain a competitive edge, launch new services, refine pricing and promotional strategies or increase revenue and profitability.

Entry-level field service technicians, as the name implies, work mostly in the field, traveling to sites where they install, maintain, repair and test equipment, unlike computer use support specialists, who work mostly from a remote computer. They may work in virtually any industry. 

Requiring elements of customer service, communication and technical knowledge, IT help desk support specialists perform an important function—helping people with computer problems. Also known as support specialists or technicians, they work directly with individual employees who mainly do not have IT backgrounds to diagnose and solve computer problems.

The widespread adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices such as voice assistants, home security systems and smart thermostats and fixtures is creating the need for people who know how to install, connect and troubleshoot them. Possessing a combination of technical abilities and customer service skills, IoT technicians troubleshoot customer issues, program and assemble networked devices and assist users both remotely and in-person. 

Also called technical support specialists, individuals in this tech job analyze, troubleshoot and evaluate computer network problems. Blending technical and people skills, they convey concepts to customers and, in some cases, remotely operate customers’ computers to resolve complex issues.

Responsible for supporting end-users of data communications networks, network technicians install, troubleshoot and maintain computer hardware. They also manage software and data communications equipment to ensure that it is fully functional and up to date.

As they work on a variety of project types, including mobile app development and website creation, software coders write and develop applications using software coding languages, also known as programming languages. 

Working in popular operating system environments like iOS and Android, mobile app developers use programming languages to create and test applications that are designed to be used on mobile devices.

Software application developers design applications for business, industry, gaming and other categories. Working in this field, you may create custom software for a specific customer or commercial software for public use. 

Web developers code, design and build websites according to a company’s specifications, unique content and marketing needs, and other characteristics like user experience and function. In web development, some graphic design and computer programming skills may be useful.

If you are analytically minded and an effective communicator, pursuing a career as a computer systems analyst may be a good choice. 

Computer systems analysts ensure that all computer systems impacting an organization’s goals are supported. The role looks at the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems to identify areas for improvement and communicates issues and solutions to corporate decision-makers.

At DeVry, our 100% online undergraduate tech certificate programs can help you build beneficial skills, explore exciting opportunities in the tech field and prepare to pursue tech industry certifications that can help you boost your career potential. 

Students enrolling in our IT Essentials, Networking Essentials or Programming Essentials Certificate programs at DeVry may be eligible to apply for a $2,400 Tech Essentials Grant, which offers qualifying undergraduate students the additional financial assistance to pursue their interest in the growing technology field.² Specific criteria apply. 

Students enrolling in our Undergraduate Cyber Security Certificate program may qualify for financial assistance through our Future Cyber Defenders Scholarship, which awards eligible cybersecurity students who apply and qualify up to $1,500 per semester in scholarships, as well as a $400 grant to cover designated fees within their first session of enrollment. Minimum eligibility criteria apply.