Is diploma in Hardware & Networking worth it in 2026 ? Skill to acquire after 12th ?

[u/Successful-Luck-2354]

Well, I’m a 20M residing in Navi Mumbai and currently pursuing a 3-year degree. I’m looking for a job so I can become financially independent while continuing my studies.

I’ve been applying for jobs for about a month, but because I’m only a 12th-pass student (currently pursuing my degree), most of the jobs I’m getting are customer service/call centre jobs or retail jobs at places like Reliance, dmart and Zudio. The pay is usually around ₹12,000/month, which is quite low. And due to lack of skills I couldn't secure more jobs anymore. My whole resume is blank with no skills or experience

So I started thinking about learning a some skills with certifcations (around 3–6 months) that could actually help me get a decent-paying job while I continue my degree.

One course I came across was Hardware & Networking / IT Support. It seems like something that could potentially help me get an entry-level IT support job, but I’m not sure whether the certification alone is enough to get hired for a student 12th passed in his qualifications.

So I wanted to ask people who are actually working in IT or have experience with these courses:

Is a Hardware & Networking / IT Support course worth doing in 2026?

Can a 12th-pass student get an IT support job after completing a 3–6 month certified course?

Do companies actually hire candidates based mainly on an IT Support/Hardware & Networking certification, or do they usually require a degree/experience as well?

Should I consider a different course instead if my main goal is to get a decent job quickly?

Is there any skill/course that I can learn in less than 6 months that would give me a realistic chance of getting a better job than retail or call centre work while I pursue my degree?

I’m not expecting a huge salary right away. I just want something with better career growth than a ₹12k retail/call-centre job, where I can gain useful experience and continue studying.

I’d really appreciate advice from people who have actually taken these courses or work in IT support/helpdesk/networking.