7 IT Certs & Their True ROI in 2025 📈

I’ve taken 7 different IT certifications — from Google IT Support to CompTIA A+, Net+, Sec+, Google Cybersecurity, CCNA, and Microsoft’s AZ-104. I’ve spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours chasing certs while working full-time as a sysadmin at an MSP.

In this video, I break down which certs were actually worth it, which ones helped me get hired, and which ones I’d skip entirely if I could do it over. Whether you're just starting out in IT or already climbing the ladder, this is the real-world ROI breakdown I wish I had when I started.

Planning your own cert path? Drop a comment — I reply to every one.


🔗 My Recommended IT Resources (affiliates help the channel at no extra cost)

🎓 Coursera Certificates
👉 Google IT Support Professional → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/coursera-google-it
👉 Google Cybersecurity Professional → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/coursera-cyber

🧪 CompTIA A+ (Jason Dion)
👉 Core 1 Course → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-core1-course
👉 Core 1 Practice Tests → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-core1-practice
👉 Core 2 Course → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-core2-course
👉 Core 2 Practice Tests → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-core2-practice

🌐 Network+ (Jason Dion)
👉 Full Course → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-netplus-course
👉 Practice Tests → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-netplus-practice

🔐 Security+ (Jason Dion)
👉 Full Course → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-secplus-course
👉 Practice Tests → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jd-secplus-practice

📡 CCNA & Networking
👉 David Bombal CCNA Course → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/bombal-ccna
👉 Jeremy’s IT Lab (free CCNA) → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/jeremys-it-lab

🧰 Hands-on Labs
👉 AZ-104 Microsoft Labs → https://links.jakehulberg.dev/az104-labs

📚 Books I Recommend (Amazon)
👉 CompTIA A+ (Mike Meyers) → https://amzn.to/401Qkdf
👉 Network+ All-in-One (Meyers) → https://amzn.to/44ylMky
👉 Security+ SY0-701 (Gibson) → https://amzn.to/4ko9GAq
👉 CCNA – 31 Days Before → https://amzn.to/44jKiY8

🎥 My Setup
👉 Mic → https://amzn.to/4lciFWC
👉 Camera → https://amzn.to/46vdsEX
👉 Lens → https://amzn.to/4lFJFhk
👉 Laptop → https://amzn.to/4nzqDuA

0:00 Intro
0:34 Google IT Support Proffesional
1:38 CompTIA A+
2:46 CompTIA Network+
4:01 Google Cybersecurity Professional
4:49 CompTIA Security+
5:48 CCNA
7:22 AZ104 - Microsoft Administrator
8:40 Overview / My Recommended Path
9:30 Outro
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💬 Comment your thoughts below and I'll respond to every one!

📲 Work With Me / Sponsor a Video:
Email: jake@jakehulberg.dev
Website: https://www.jakehulberg.dev

⚠️ FTC Disclaimer: Some links are affiliate links. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.