How a 17-Year-Old Earned 19 IT Certifications (and What You Can Learn from Her)

Image of Sweety Sayani, teen who earned 19 tech certifications from ACI Learning

Some learners stand out not only for their accomplishments, but for the dedication and curiosity that drive them. Sweety Sayani, a 17-year-old from India, is one of those learners.

With an impressive 19 advanced IT certifications covering cybersecurity, networking, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence, she’s proof that with structure, focus, and motivation, remarkable goals are possible at any age.

A Journey Fueled by Curiosity

Sweety’s interest in technology started early. At just 14, she earned her first certification, CompTIA A+. She continued her training with ACI Learning's ITPro library of offerings and gained momentum along the way: By the time she turned 16, she had already earned 16 certifications—and today, she’s well on her way to a career in advanced cybersecurity.

“Every certification felt like opening a new door,” she explains. “I wanted to understand something different about technology each time—whether it was cloud computing, AI, or cybersecurity.”

💡 Be Like Sweety: Don’t chase numbers. Chase curiosity. Certifications are more motivating when each one feels like a step toward something bigger.

Tackling the Toughest Exams

Sweety didn’t shy away from difficult milestones. She went after some of the industry’s toughest exams, including CASP+ and CCZT—both of which challenge even seasoned professionals.

“There were moments it felt overwhelming,” she recalls. “But steady effort and consistent practice made the difference. Hard work really does pay off.”

Her preparation often meant long, focused study sessions—sometimes close to 15 hours a day.

💡 Be Like Sweety: Consistency beats cramming. Even small, steady progress adds up to big results.

Why Structure Matters

One of the reasons Sweety has been able to accomplish so much so quickly is that she embraced a structured approach to learning.

She built checklists for exam objectives, used practice tests to confirm her knowledge, and—importantly—relied on hands-on labs to connect theory to real-world scenarios.

This reflects a common challenge many learners face: deciding between self-study and structured training.

As explored in Should You Self-Study for IT Certification?, the DIY path can take months and has high dropout rates.

By contrast, structured programs like ACI Learning provide accountability, expert instruction, and built-in labs that lead to far higher completion and success rates.

“The labs from ACI Learning were especially helpful,” Sweety says. “They turned abstract concepts into things I could actually see and do. I often found that a concept I struggled with in theory would finally ‘click’ after trying it out in a lab.”

💡 Be Like Sweety: Don’t just memorize—practice. Hands-on labs make complex topics click and build skills you can actually use.

Building Confidence Along the Way

For Sweety, the goal was never just collecting certifications.
Each one was a chance to build confidence and practical skills.

“It felt less like studying for a test and more like becoming capable in a real-world setting,” she explains.

Her perspective echoes what thousands of learners share in their feedback on ACI Learning. Across trusted review platforms like G2, Capterra, and SourceForge, ACI consistently earns recognition for engaging training that leads to real outcomes.

See the highlights in The Badges Say It All.

💡 Be Like Sweety: Focus on skills, not just test scores. Confidence comes from applying what you learn, not just passing an exam.

A Standout Achievement

Among her many accomplishments, Sweety points to passing CASP+ at just 16 as her proudest moment. The exam required her to think strategically about complex security problems and showed her that persistence pays off.

“The certifications gave me a huge confidence boost,” she says. “They reassured me that I’m capable of tackling real-world IT and cybersecurity challenges.”

Her Advice for Learners

Sweety’s message to other learners is simple but powerful:

“Believe in steady, consistent progress. Even the smallest steps taken today can lead to big breakthroughs tomorrow.

Stay motivated by your curiosity, surround yourself with people who uplift you, and trust that your effort will create opportunities far beyond what you can see right now.”

💡 Be Like Sweety: Stay curious. Build a routine. Surround yourself with people who support your goals.

Looking Ahead

Sweety plans to explore AI-driven cybersecurity and zero-trust architectures while continuing her formal studies. Her long-term vision includes creating innovative AI tools and platforms that bridge research with practical cybersecurity solutions.

Takeaway

Sweety’s journey demonstrates what’s possible when curiosity meets structure.

Her story shows that certifications are more than exams—they’re stepping stones to deeper skills, greater confidence, and future opportunities.

Her own words sum it up best:

“When you stay committed and curious, even early, uncertain steps can evolve into achievements that uplift others and push the boundaries of what’s possible in cybersecurity.”

If you’re weighing your options, explore what sets structured training apart in Should You Self-Study for IT Certification?.

And for proof of ACI Learning’s impact worldwide, see The Badges Say It All.

👉 Be Like Sweety: Stay curious, stay consistent, and give yourself the structure to succeed.