RE: The Great Certification Debate

[Steve Adams <stadams@baynetworks.com>]

You started in the right direction but I feel you hit the wrong conclusion.  A degree or certification is an "indicator" that one CAN learn and be taught.  The thing that college (MIS Major) taught me was "critical thinking" skills.  Example: my Sys Design and Analysis, database design classes, etc were designed for s/w development methodologies but I learned a lot about analytical thinking and project mgt.  My data comm class spent one chapter on networking (what I do for a living) and the rest on Big Iron comm.  So...I had one chapter in 4.5 years related to what I do.

Certifications in the same vein give some indication that the person can learn and be taught.  True they may be worthless in one sense given that a person has no true experience, only head knowledge, but that comes in time.  I paid for training out of pocket to obtain a Novell CNE many years ago.  Guess what?  I spent most of my days in a Microsoft environment.  I did not use my Novell knowledge for a couple of years and even then it was sporadic.  Was it worth it?  Did my cert ever get me a job?  Would I do it again?  Yes...No....Yes...    "NO" it never got me a job directly but it did give me an advantage in the HR screening process...that could be interpreted as a "yes" I suppose but I have never been hired for a pure Novell position because my MS skills were stronger.  All things being equal, a certified person will get the call over one who is not.  It's all about getting your foot in the door anyway.  From there, it's up to you, your personality, and your ability to get !
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thru the technical interview to land the job.

Companies are looking for people who can learn, think, and solve problems...degrees and certifications give the company something to work with.  Otherwise they have no clue as to who or what you are.

I completed the CSA cert a few years ago...again it has helped in opening doors. And I learned something in the classes that was useful.  Knowledge is good...the experience will come! 

Certifications are also good for one's own ego/self-esteem.  They are a visible acknowledgement of one's abilities.  I am very proud of my accomplishments because I am not a great "academic" so every cert process is a challenge for me.  I actually hate the testing process but it's a necessary evil.

I continue to work on certifications for several reasons.  They give me an edge over non-certified people in opening doors, they are important to my boss since he "sells" my skills to customers, with experience they also mean better $$.  Actually my degree means more $$ than my certs do.  I've worked alongside fellows with comparable skills sets but minus the degree and I blew them away with regards to $$.  I know this isn't always the case but the odds are in your favor.  

Learn, get certified, get the job, and then...re-learn it!

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Stephen Adams			918.633.2896
Senior Network Engineer		Nortel Networks
Field Services			Western Region
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