How to start a career in IT with zero experience

If you're looking for a new career that will deliver on all levels, you really should be considering the IT industry. With fantastic pay, great benefits and a huge workforce shortage, this is definitely the time to be making a career move in the technology direction. If you haven't got any IT work experience yet, don't be put off.

We have six online courses and some handy career tips to help you kick start your IT career with zero experience.

6 online courses you can do with no IT experience

1. ICTSS00109 - Entry to Tech Skill Set.

Embarking on a new career is a big step. Having a bit of self-assurance behind you can make taking that step easier. Our ICTSS00109 - Entry to Tech Skill Set is a short 6-month course with assessments that will not only help boost your confidence but can also give you a taste of relevant IT topics. What better way to get basic computer training, and understand what you would like to study next?

Job opportunities after completing this course:

This course has been designed to deliver general ICT skills. It's a great starting point for a wide range of IT careers. Successful completion of this course will lead smoothly into further study on the Certificate III courses below. Suitable for people at the start of their IT careers, the ICTSS00109- Entry to Tech Skill Set course utilises a simulated workplace to help you appreciate typical daily computer tasks.

2. ICT30120 - Certificate III in Information Technology.

As far as basic computer courses go, this 12-month interactive qualification has got exactly the right balance of knowledge and experience. In order to help you build a broad understanding of the industry, the course has been carefully structured to teach a wide range of ICT concepts, through real world scenarios.  Offering a great mix of personal, customer and technical skills, our online ICT30120 - Certificate III in Information Technology will help you decide where you want to take your computer career next.

Job opportunities after completing this course:

With a subject list that includes simple web design, cloud computing and online security, this training course can prepare you for a number of opportunities in the IT business. The IT fundamentals taught in this course have multiple applications. Once you've completed the course,  you'll have several entry-level career options you can pursue including systems administrator, office assistant, and data entry operator.

3. ICT30120 - Certificate III in Information Technology  - Focus on Web Development.

Web development is a great career for anyone who wants to combine design skills with technological knowhow. Our 12-month online course ICT30120 - Certificate III in Information Technology – Focus on Web Development has been created with extra web development electives. It'll help you gain the skills needed for an entry-level career boost, putting an additional emphasis on website development and design.

Job opportunities after completing this course:

With this qualification under your belt, you can put your design ideas into practice and start coding your own websites. If you'd like to work as a web developer or web designer, this could well be the course that can help you gain the fundamental skills in web development and prepare you for further study in this specialisation.

4. ICT30120 - Certificate III in Information Technology - Focus on Programming.

From operating systems to the latest mobile applications, computer programming is the building block of the IT world. Many IT software and hardware careers rely on advanced coding ability but everyone has to start somewhere. Our 12-month online course ICT30120 – Certificate III in Information Technology – Focus on Programming delivers all the beginners' coding fundamentals you need alongside a range of IT basics.

Job opportunities after completing this course: 

Working your way up to advanced programming job roles can take time. However, this type of certification can give you the mix of skills you need to take your first step on the coding career ladder. You could find yourself with a new career as a software developer or computer programmer with further study.

5. ICT30120 - Certificate III in Information Technology - Focus on Basic Cloud Computing.

Cloud computing is one of the top in-demand computing skills. If you're thinking about computer courses for beginners, and want a career with great prospects, this could be the digital study program for you. Combining general areas of ICT with education in the fundamentals of cloud computing, our 12-month, interactive course ICT30120 – Certificate III in Information Technology – Focus on Basic Cloud Computing is a great way to gain your first experience.

Job opportunities after completing this course:

Our simulated workplace tasks and carefully created range of general ICT and cloud computing electives can give you a great start in a number of IT careers. You won't be an expert on completion but you'll be in a position to start considering network administrator and IT system administrator roles.

6. ICT30120 - Certificate III in Information Technology - Focus on Basic Cyber Security Awareness.

Cyber security specialists are in more demand than ever and work across a wide range of fascinating industries. If you're interested in working in cyber security, our 12-month interactive course ICT30120 – Certificate III in Information Technology – Focus on Basic Cyber Security Awareness can help you to understand more about this vital aspect of technology and at the same time, introduce you to some key ICT fundamentals.

Job opportunities after completing this course:

With high salary potential, this is one of the best computer courses for prospective IT high-fliers. With these initial skills and some further study, you could find yourself on the way to a rewarding career as a network security specialist or a network security engineer with further study.

3 tips to help you start a career in IT

If you're still worried about starting an IT career with zero experience, don't be. Combine our top tips below with one of the courses above and you'll soon be on your way.

• Talk to people, especially anyone you know in the IT industry: By connecting with other IT professionals, you'll have the opportunity to tap into mentoring opportunities, as well as receive guidance by those who already have experience in the industry. This can help you be across what type of qualifications you need and the skills required for your specialisation of interest. 
• Get some career advice about entry-level IT job roles: Our education consultants are here to provide you with consultations that can help you decide which course can lead to a specific entry-level career outcome in IT. Be transparent with your career goals and find out what course is best suited for you. 
• Recognise any skills that overlap with your previous careers or qualifications: Plenty of IT roles require both transferable and technical skills, so it helps to see what your skill set entails. Assuming that you have no experience in IT, recognising your transferable skills like teamwork and the ability to work autonomously can help you transition to an IT related role. 

Start your IT career with an online course

If you haven't got any previous experience in the IT industry, one of the best ways to impress a prospective employer is to study a nationally-recognised course.

Our range of online IT courses can help you ease into your studies, providing you with the flexibility needed to balance your work and personal commitments. They can give you the skills and experience needed to decide exactly where you'd like your IT career to go.

Get in touch with our friendly team today to find out more about stepping up onto the IT career ladder.