For a technology career, beginners usually start with IT support, then specialize in networking, cybersecurity, programming or data. For business and office careers, common entry points are administrative assistant, bookkeeper and HR assistant. Our online job-title trainings teach each role’s duties, vocabulary, tools and tasks so you can choose a direction; industry certifications such as CompTIA A+ or Security+, or a degree, come next for many roles.
IT and technology career training
| Training | Price | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| IT Support Specialist Training Online, self-paced · 8 hours · Career profile | $34.99 | $61,860 |
| Network Administrator Training Online, self-paced · 12 hours · Career profile | $44.99 | $99,130 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst Training Online, self-paced · 12 hours · Career profile | $44.99 | $129,180 |
| Software Developer Training Online, self-paced · 12 hours · Career profile | $44.99 | $135,980 |
| Web Developer Training Online, self-paced · 10 hours · Career profile | $39.99 | $92,650 |
| Software QA Tester Training Online, self-paced · 10 hours · Career profile | $39.99 | $104,300 |
| Database Administrator Training Online, self-paced · 12 hours · Career profile | $44.99 | $104,620 |
| Data Scientist Training Online, self-paced · 12 hours · Career profile | $44.99 | $120,230 |
- IT support for beginners: help desk and IT support roles are the most common way into tech. Many employers look for CompTIA A+, and the role teaches you devices, networks, accounts and troubleshooting.
- Cybersecurity for beginners: most cybersecurity analysts start in IT support or networking first. CompTIA Security+ is a common entry credential, and many roles ask for a degree or several years of IT experience.
- Programming: software and web developers build skill through projects. A portfolio on GitHub matters as much as a certificate for many entry roles.
- Data and AI careers: data scientists usually need a bachelor’s degree or higher plus statistics and Python or SQL. We don’t offer a standalone AI course; the data scientist and software developer trainings explain how those roles use machine learning and AI tools.
Business and office career training
| Training | Price | Median pay |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Assistant Training Online, self-paced · 6 hours · Career profile | $29.99 | $47,540 |
| Office Manager Training Online, self-paced · 10 hours · Career profile | $39.99 | $69,500 |
| Bookkeeper Training Online, self-paced · 8 hours · Career profile | $34.99 | $50,670 |
| Accountant Training Online, self-paced · 12 hours · Career profile | $44.99 | $83,680 |
| HR Assistant Training Online, self-paced · 10 hours · Career profile | $39.99 | $50,610 |
| Human Resources Specialist Training Online, self-paced · 10 hours · Career profile | $39.99 | $75,940 |
| Project Manager Training Online, self-paced · 12 hours · Career profile | $44.99 | $102,320 |
| Digital Marketing Specialist Training Online, self-paced · 10 hours · Career profile | $39.99 | $78,760 |
| Graphic Designer Training Online, self-paced · 10 hours · Career profile | $39.99 | $62,960 |
| Executive Assistant Training Online, self-paced · 10 hours · Career profile | $39.99 | $76,590 |
Microsoft Office and Excel skills
We don’t sell standalone software courses, but the office trainings teach the software each job uses. The administrative assistant course covers Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint and Google Workspace in the context of real tasks, and the bookkeeper course covers QuickBooks and spreadsheets. If you need a certificate in Excel itself, look at Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification.
Accounting, bookkeeping and HR
- Bookkeepers (median pay $50,670) usually need a high school diploma plus a short course; the AIPB or NACPB certifications are optional.
- Accountants (median pay $83,680) generally need a bachelor’s degree, and CPAs need a state license.
- HR assistants and specialists start with an associate or bachelor’s degree or office experience; SHRM and HRCI certifications help later.
Marketing, graphic design and small business
Digital marketing specialist and graphic designer trainings are good starting points for beginners; both fields hire on portfolios. If you run or plan to start a small business, the office manager, bookkeeper and general and operations manager trainings cover the operations, money and people side.
What career should I choose in technology?
| If you enjoy… | Consider |
|---|---|
| Helping people fix problems | IT support specialist |
| How systems connect | Network administrator |
| Defending and investigating | Cybersecurity analyst |
| Building things with code | Software or web developer |
| Finding patterns in numbers | Data scientist, database administrator |
| Finding bugs and details | Software QA tester |
The technology career quiz gives a personalized match, and every role is compared on the technology careers page. Browse all business trainings in the catalog.
Frequently asked questions
How do I start an IT career with no experience?
Start with IT support: learn hardware, operating systems, networking and troubleshooting basics, consider CompTIA A+, and apply for help desk roles. Our IT support specialist training covers the role’s tools, vocabulary and tasks.
Can a beginner go straight into cybersecurity?
It’s possible but uncommon. Most analysts spend a year or more in IT support, networking or system administration first. Security+ is a common first certification.
Do you offer Excel or Microsoft Office training?
Not as standalone courses. Office role trainings, such as administrative assistant, cover Microsoft Office and spreadsheets as part of the job. For a software credential, consider Microsoft Office Specialist certification.
Do you offer AI career training?
We don’t have a standalone AI course. Data scientist and software developer trainings explain how those jobs use machine learning and AI tools.
Will your bookkeeping training certify me?
No. It is a non-credit course that teaches the bookkeeper role, its software and tasks. Bookkeeping certifications such as those from the AIPB or NACPB require their own exams.
Do you offer project management courses?
Yes, our project manager training covers the role’s duties, vocabulary and tools. PMI’s CAPM and PMP are the best-known project management certifications.