Getting Certifications — is it important?
Is it worth getting IT industry certifications? The industry pushes hard on this on their partners and the individuals: some certifications require as much time investment as a Master’s degree. But will they truly benefit you?
Consider the article Top 15 EA certifications. It targets enterprise architects — a role with definitions as broad as the companies they work for. The article claims certifications are a great way to validate your enterprise architecture (EA) skills, and then it lists the 15 recommended certifications. To be fair, they do not ask that you have to do all of them, but one or more of these 15 certifications will help strengthen your resume.
Fun fact: the title of the article says 15 Certifications, while the URL says 12-certifications
But, and a big but… What’s the real benefit for you?
Some years ago, I lived near an incredible coral reef in Dili, East Timor. One thing I loved was the opportunity to dive spontaneously with my friends: ‘Hey, I’m finishing work early, want to go to Tasi Tolu?’
I have just finished PADI Open Water, Advanced and a few specialist certifications, like Deep Dive and Peak Performance Buoyancy. With 30+ dives under my belt, — both training and guided — I was invited to join a group of divers and explore exclusive spots known only to those with the right skills and experience.
During a break between dives, I mentioned I was considering the Dive Master course. One of my buddies responded, ‘Do you know how many certifications I have? Just PADI Open Water.’ As my jaw dropped, he explained:
- I hate to expend money: it is just an industry
- The exam’s mechanics? Horrible: what do you learn? Just memorise some key phrases and then tick the right answer.
- You learn by doing, not going through these courses. It is more fun to go diving.
I asked colleagues and friends what’s their opinions about this, read a bit, and came to these conclusions:
- Many people I know with X-number-of-certifications aren’t individuals I’d chose for my team’
- You can be very good at passing exams, but do you have the experience?
- Many of the certifications and most badges are trivial, you can pass them by memorising guides and checking boxes. Completing them does not make you proficient in the subject.
- These tests make you dumber, be better than your training.
Pablo Gonzalez, Salesforce influencer and consultant with lots of certifications asked himself, and his followers:
“We spend so much time and effort getting certified; all we do is learn platform-specific features. We are not becoming well-rounded software professionals; we are just decreasing our overall marketability”
(see here)
Adriana Villela, 20+ years in tech discusses in her article: Why Tech Certifications Are a Waste of Time and Money practical ways to truly learn and gain experience. Interestingly, her advice aligns with my friend in East Timor’s suggestion: don’t waste money on certifications; just dive in! Or rather, don’t waste money and just code or engage in software engineering!”
So, what to do?
Like anything else, there’s a tug-of-war competing for your time:
- Tech companies use their leverage over consulting firms, saying: “Certify your people, and we’ll pass leads your way.”
- Consulting companies, in return, ask tech firms for free training “and we’ll invest in certifications.”
- Clients seek an easy way to compare proposals: “Let’s count the number of certifications, or rather, experience.”
- Your employer may ask (or require) you to achieve certain certifications, dangling the carrot of career advancement while you seek to demonstrate relevant experience.
Some valid points:
- Passing a certification initially shows you mastered the exam, not necessarily your experience. As Adriana notes And so, in spite of having the test and having a CSM designation, I couldn’t bring myself to put that designation on my LinkedIn profile. It just felt so disingenuous, because I didn’t actually know what I was doing
- For prospective employers, your experience ultimately holds more weight. You need to find ways to showcase it. Adriana’s article suggests a practical approach: 1) Identify a problem you want to solve, 2) Blog about your solutions, 3) Publish them (on GitHub and other platforms).
- Companies need to demonstrate they have the right experience. Counting certifications is simple and straightforward, so you may have to comply — that’s life
- There’s no need to reinvent the wheel, like when I reinvented some sorting algorithms (!). This is where both formal and informal education, including tech certifications, are useful to save time. Pablo suggests reading books on software engineering to see beyond the confines of a specific technology. And also you can watch YouTube videos, read and bookmark insightful blogs, and even wisely consulting AI tools (How I Use “AI” by Nicholas Carlini).
- Some tech certifications are challenging, and your experience will make passing them easier. Plus, you’ll be able to discern between the kool-aid they’re promoting, and what’s important for your job.
- Studying in groups can help you find mentors who refine your skills based on your experience, allowing you to give back as well. We learn by learning with others and from those with more experience.
- What makes you valuable is your ability to contribute to decision-making and be a well-rounded professional, beyond any single technology. Pablo asserts, (Read these books and…) You will gain core foundations of software development and engineering, viewing platforms like Salesforce with fresh perspectives.
At the end is how you balance your time! That will depend on what you like to do, the external pressures, and your final objectives:
- Always be a learner: There are countless ways to learn beyond certifications. Read, watch videos, and teach others (because teaching is a powerful way to learn).
- Gain experience: Experience gives you an edge, and there’s no substitute for hands-on practice.
- Showcase your experience: In your professional life, ensure your managers, peers, and potential employers recognize your accomplishments. Earning a shiny badge or new certification is just a starting point, not the end goal. As a presales consultant, I’ve never had a client ask for a certification!
- Solve puzzles: Certification tests can be enjoyable, but so can other activities that keep your mind active, healthy and sharp — like learning a new language!
Yes, have a hobby, like diving in my case!
And now, I’ll stop writing and tackle some Trailhead badges to earn my All Star Ranger status! ;-)
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For the record: I eventually completed the PADI Divemaster, learned a lot, had plenty of fun, and ended up with over 120 dives under my belt. Yes, I continued learning this way and enjoyed the experience. I went on to become a PADI Open Water Instructor, where I gained insights into educational techniques and then pursued the PADI Technical 40, 45, and 50 certifications, culminating in over 200 dives, with more than 15 qualifying as technical dives. I taught my daughters and my friends’ kids to dive and love the sea.
I continue to dive whenever I get the chance!
