There’s no easy path to success in the IT sector, but there are certainly ways to increase your chances of having a rewarding career. One of the ways is knowing which fields in IT have the most potential for future growth. There are a lot of great choices out there, but as technology changes, so does the demand for certain positions. That's why it's crucial to plan for your training in advance, and lock in on an area where forecasters expect rapid growth over the next few years. Choose from the following list of the fastest growing IT jobs to land a rewarding position that's certain to last.

1. Data Scientist

Not surprisingly, data science is one of the fastest growing and most lucrative jobs in the IT sector. Data scientists wrestle with big data on a daily basis. They use their advanced skills in programming, mathematics, and statistics to organize enormous amounts of jumbled data into a more usable form.
The work of the data scientist doesn't stop there. Once they make this data more manageable, they use their analytical skills to solve a variety of business and financial problems. These skills include industry specific knowledge, contextual awareness, and a willingness to question assumptions. Depending on location and company, data scientists can quickly begin earning between $100,000-$150,000 a year.
Here are a few certifications that make data science candidates more attractive:

● AWS Big Data Specialty Certification
● Certified Analytics Professional (CAP)
● EMC Data Science Associate (EMCDSA)

2. Information Security Analyst

With cyber criminals getting smarter every day, tight security is now more important than ever. This applies to companies from every industry sector. The need for constantly tighter security also ensures that highly skilled information security analysts will always be in demand.
The average base salary for information security analysts is just over $76,000 a year. They additionally earn an average of about $5,300 in bonuses and other incentive programs, with some receiving up to about $14,000 a year. Do the math and you'll see why the certifications you'll need are more than justified.
There is a wide range of certifications that will make you a much more attractive candidate:

● Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH)
● Cisco CCIE Security Certification
● Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
● Comptia Security+

While these aren't the only IT security certifications available, they'll certainly get you off to a good start.

3. IT Consultant

Due to the nature of their work, IT Consultants will always be in high demand. While it may vary from company to company, an IT consultant's chief responsibility is advising clients on the most efficient use of their information technology. They also help improve the existing structure of a company's IT, with an emphasis on dynamic, industry specific problem solving.
The average base salary for an IT Consultant who's just starting out is approximately $70,000 a year. However, the salaries in closely related jobs such as Senior IT Consultants or IT Project Managers can range from $80,000-$107,000 a year.
The following IT Consultant certifications will help you land the best possible job:

● Project Management Professional (PMP)
● Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
● International Information Systems Certification Consortium (CISSP)
● Information Systems Audit and Control Associate (ISACA)

4. Network Architect

The field of Network Architecture also promises to continue growing at a rapid rate. Just as the name implies, a Network Architect designs and implements computer networks for companies from a wide variety of industry sectors. These include networks like the familiar local area network (LAN), intranets, and wide area networks (WAN). Depending on the company, these networks can connect anything from a few offices to an internationally distributed communication system.
In addition to having a rosy growth forecast, Network Architects also earn an excellent salary. The exact figures depend on location, company, and level of experience, but they typically range between $60,000-$140,00 a year. The median Network Architect salary is approximately $91,000 a year.
Like most attractive IT jobs, there are a number of Network Architecture certifications available. Choose from among these to nab the best job and maximize your chances for advancement:

● Cisco CCIE Collaboration Certification
● Cisco CCIE Data Center Certification
● Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching Certification

5. Cloud Engineer

Cloud engineers are IT personnel who are responsible for tasks related to the field of cloud computing. The tasks involved in cloud computing can include initial design, cloud management, support, and maintenance.
Cloud engineers earn an average salary of about $95,000 a year. Many companies are looking for candidates with the following certifications:

• AWS Certified SysOps Administrator-Associate
• Cisco CCNA Cloud
• CompTIA Cloud+ Certification

Interested in pursuing one of the careers or certifications mentioned above? INE has all of the training materials necessary to help you pass your certification exams and land the job of your dreams. Check out all of our training solutions at ine.com.

Author: Benjamin Shepardson founder of NoStop Ghostwriting. As the company's leader, Ben brings to the table an innate ability to help small businesses compete with larger competitors through content strategies and SEO.

References

“What Is a Data Scientist?” Multichannel Marketing: What It Is and Why It Matters | SAS, www.sas.com/en_us/insights/analytics/what-is-a-data-scientist.html.
“Salary: Data Scientist.” Glassdoor, www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/data-scientist-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm.
Jobs, Best Technology. “How Much Can a Information Security Analyst Expect to Get Paid?” U.S. News & World Report, U.S. News & World Report, money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/information-security-analyst/salary.
“Salary: Information Security Analyst.” Glassdoor, www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/information-security-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,28.htm.
“Salary: IT Consultant.” Glassdoor, www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/it-consultant-salary-SRCH_KO0,13.htm.
“Salary: Senior IT Consultant.” Glassdoor, www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/senior-it-consultant-salary-SRCH_KO0,20.htm.
“Salary: IT Project Manager.” Glassdoor, www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/it-project-manager-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm.
“Salary: Network Architect.” Glassdoor, www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/network-architect-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm.
“What Is Cloud Computing? - Definition from WhatIs.com.” SearchCloudComputing, searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/definition/cloud-computing.
“What Is Cloud Computing? - Definition from WhatIs.com.” SearchCloudComputing, searchcloudcomputing.techtarget.com/definition/cloud-computing.
“Salary: Cloud Engineer.” Glassdoor, www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/cloud-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm.

It's that time again! Tune in on May 7 at 10 am PST/ 1 pm EST for our monthly CCNA Kickoff session with expert instructor Keith Bogart.

This is a FREE session in which Keith (CCIE #4923) will present everything you need to know to get started on your CCNA journey.

What Keith will cover in this months webinar:

• How to get started by making a study schedule
• Strategies to prevent you from becoming overwhelmed throughout the exam process
• CCNA certification test format
• Which topics to study, and how in depth
• What study tools will be the most useful
• What to expect when you walk into the testing center

You can view this, and all of our other webinars here.

Tomorrow, March 15th, we will air our March 2018 Networking Technologies Live Session with Keith Bogart. This course is designed for those with absolutely no knowledge of computer networks, but who would like to learn more and possibly head down a career path working on computer networks.

When:

March 16, 2018 10 am PST/ 1 pm EST

Instructor Info:

This Course is taught by Keith Bogart, CCIE #4923. Keith started his networking career as customer service representative at Cisco Systems in 1996. His desire to learn more soon led him to a position as a Cisco Technical Assistance Center (TAC) engineer on the “Dial-Access” team, and within six months he had obtained his Dial-ISP CCIE. He later became a network consulting engineer and obtained his CCNA certification while teaching the technologies to Cisco employees during his lunch breaks. Keith was the first instructor on Cisco’s TAC Training team, where he taught a wide range of internetworking topics and later developed and taught other courses such as routing protocols, LAN switching, MPLS, 802.1x, and CCNA. After almost 17 years with Cisco, Keith joined a small startup and focused on 802.11 Wi-Fi technologies, during which time he obtained his CWNA certification. He is now very happy to be working with INE as an instructor for Routing & Switching.

Who Should Watch:

Anyone with little to no knowledge about the IT and networking industry that would like to learn more.

Why You Should Watch:

This live session will allow you to find out more about what a computer network is, what types of things it can be used for, and what types of careers are available for those who want to design, install, monitor, and troubleshoot networks by asking questions, and discussing these topics with an industry expert.

Watch our March 2018 CCNA Kickoff Session with Keith Bogart TOMORROW at 1:30 PM EST.

This kickoff session for those who are interested in, or have started to study for the CCNA certification. In this free session, we will cover common trouble areas that most people experience when getting started with their certification. Topics include: how to approach making a study schedule, strategies for not becoming overwhelmed during the study process, deciding whether to take one test or two to get your CCNA, what to expect when you walk into the testing center, which topics to study and how in depth, and what study tools can be useful. Keith will also discuss the testing experience and the CCNA Certification test format.

When: March 7th at 10:30 am PST/ 1:30 pm EST

Estimated Length: 3 hours

Instructor: Keith Bogart CCIE #4923

Cost: FREE

Tune into our live CCNA Kickoff session to get advice from a seasoned professional on what to expect during the CCNA Certification exam, and how to pass the first time.

When: February 1st at 10 am PST/ 1 pm EST

Estimated Length: 3 hours

Instructor: Keith Bogart CCIE #4923

Cost: FREE

Who Should Watch:
This webinar is for anyone and everyone! Since this webinar is geared towards those who are just starting out on their journey towards CCNA certification, no prior knowledge is needed in order to participate, just an interest in earning your CCNA.

What We'll Discuss:
We will cover common trouble areas that most people experience when getting started with their CCNA certification, such as how to approach making a study schedule and strategies for not becoming overwhelmed by the sheer quantity of topics to be learned. We will also discuss the testing experience and the CCNA Certification test format. Topics include: Deciding whether to take one test or two to get your CCNA, What to expect when you walk into the testing center, which topics to study and how in depth, and what study tools can be useful. Last, Keith will talk about his own experience taking the CCNA exam and offer advice based off of his own personal observations.

Check Out All of Our Upcoming Webinars:

CCNA/CCNP Q&A: February 2018
February 9, 2018 10 am (PST)/ 1 PM (EST)

Deciphering Spanning-Tree Technologies
February 16, 2018 10 am (PST)/ 1 pm (EST)

Introduction to Networking Technologies
March 15, 2018 10 am (PST)/ 1 pm (EST)

Edit: The INE party will be at the Hard Rock *Hotel*, not the Hard Rock *Cafe*.

I would like to thank the over 600 people who RSVP'd for INE's 2013 Party at the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando during Cisco Live. Registration is closed as of today for our party but I wanted to be the first to let everyone know about the grand prize giveaway we are doing. On top of the standard giveaway prizes (iPads, MacBook Airs, AAP Memberships, Bootcamps, etc) we are giving away a Harley Davidson 2013 XL 1200X Forty-Eight to a lucky winner during our party.

On top of the Harley Davidson 2013 XL 1200X Forty-Eight we're having a second grand prize giveaway. Details on the second grand prize giveaway will be revealed after the drawing for the winner of the Harley Davidson at the party.

As a side note I don't personally ride anymore but that bike really does look cool when it's all blacked out.

Just ahead of our brand new CCNA Voice live online bootcamp beginning this Monday, I thought it might be nice to provide an easy-to-follow graphic for those starting out in Voice (or on any other Cisco networking track). This graphic was from last year, but remains quite easy to follow for each and every Cisco track.

Be sure you have a high resolution set if you wish to see the entire thing, otherwise scrolling may be necessary.

Click here for the Cisco Career Certification Path poster

INE is proud to announce the release of two brand new video products, the CCNA Routing & Switching Exam Course and the CCNA Routing & Switching Video Flashcards. Both of these products were written and delivered by Brian McGahan - three times CCIE #8593 in Routing & Switching, Security, and Service Provider - one of the most highly regarded and experienced CCIE instructors in the industry. Best of all, until Jan 1st 2012, streaming access is FREE to both the CCNA R&S Exam Course and CCNA R&S Video Flashcards, while download access to the CCNA R&S Exam Course is only $99! Additionally these classes support streaming to iPhone/iPad, Android, and Windows phone platforms, so you can take your training on the go.

To view these classes create a free account on the INE Members Site, then follow the links there once logged in.

Specifically the CCNA R&S Exam Course is a comprehensive look at the technologies covered in the Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Routing & Switching exams. With over 25 hours of instructor-led videos, this class contains both easy to understand and in-depth explanations, along with hands-on examples on the Cisco IOS Command Line Interface. The class will not only fully prepare you for the latest 640-822 ICND1 (CCENT), 640-816 ICND2, and 640-802 CCNA exams, but it will also expand your understanding of core technologies that are essential to know for beginning or advancing your career with today's networks.

The CCNA R&S Video Flashcards are designed to help you test you knowledge before you sit for the actual ICND1, ICND2, or CCNA Composite exams. The thing that sets the Video Flashcards apart from other practice tests is that after every question, the instructor goes through a detailed explanation as to what the answer is, why it is the answer, and includes visual and hands on examples of the pertinent technology. We are considering adding Video Flashcard products for our other CCNA, CCNP, and CCIE tracks, so please post your comments below and give us some feedback about what you think of the Video Flashcard format!

Both of the above products are part of our larger All Access Pass video library. Available as a $159 per month or $1599 per year subscription, INE's All Access Pass contains hundreds of hours of videos covering topics such as:

• CCNA Routing & Switching
• CCNA Voice
• CCNA Security
• CCNP Routing & Switching
• CCNP Voice
• CCNP Security
• CCIE Routing & Switching
• CCIE Voice
• CCIE Security
• CCIE Service Provider
• And more!

Feel free to post your feedback about the new CCNA videos here, or email Brian McGahan directly at bmcgahan@ine.com.

Today's CCENT-level challenge involves the methods that are commonly used to describe and compare modern network infrastructures regarding such things as performance and structure.

ICND1-1: What common descriptive  characteristic for a modern network often encompasses a measure of the probability of a network failure called the Mean Time Between Failures or MTBF?

Answer: _________________