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Originally posted by Jay7

Hi,
I am new to Canada. I do not have IT background. However, I am exploring potential for a career in IT. Will doing any IT certification help to transition to IT. If yes, can anyone please recommend good certification. Also, I would like to understand the IT job market for freshers.

Thanks in advance!

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Good! Now, first of all you must ask yourself what is it in IT that interests you. Is it working/playing with hardware, components, it's internal architecture, and the way Operating systems/servers work, or the way various applications are designed? Once you have a clear idea of what you want to do, you will be in a better position to opt for various certifications. Among them are:

Hardware and Networking:

http://certification.about.com/od/toppicks/tp/networkingcerts.htm

A+, MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), CCNA (Cisco Certified Network Administrator)

(If you want to do this, then start with A+ and don't forget to buy an old PC that you can explore for parts and components. Also, you can self study. At least try first)

Application Development:
MCSD, Oracle Certified Professional (For Database development and administration), some IBM certifications, etc.

Certified Business Analyst: You might need a formal training.

Project Management Certification: You might need a formal training

Quality Analyst role: I personally feel the best area/field to enter IT without the headache of coding. Almost all IT companies require QA and Software Testers these days. Pay is at par with other IT professionals.

The above are all I am aware of. I am sure there might be other certifications as well, but these are the most sought after if you wish to enter IT field. In addition to that, Google is your best friend and the more knowledgeable you are, the more sought after you will be in IT field (well, in every field whatsoever).

Hope it helps.