recommended certifications
Alex Vrenios
plug-devel@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
Thu Feb 20 14:40:05 2003
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
------=_NextPart_000_0004_01C2D8EA.F7121720
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
MessageI have to disagree (mildly) with the comparison of letters to
certifications. I think they are separate issues.
There are clearly defined phases (waves, or fads if you prefer) that prompt
one kind of certification market. I doubt anyone would care if you are
certified on an OS, a database, or a networking scheme, that was popular
three generations ago. These kinds of certifications have a lifetime. There
is a more generic kind of certification that focuses on the fundamentals of
computing. (Thirty years ago tests were developed by the Institute for
Certification of Computer Professionals. Today you can look to the IEEE
Computer Society at www.computer.org for the modern version.)
Product-specific certifications are popular with employers who use that
product. Generic certifications are often seen as strengthening a degree of
some sort.
Degree programs start at the AA (associate's degree) level. In the computer
industry we see the BS in Information Systems as perhaps a lowest tier,
followed by the BS in Computer Science. Next comes a Master's in some
industry-specific program, followed by a standard one with either a project
or a thesis. (The thesis is a formal document, like a Ph.D. dissertation,
but it doesn't have to represent a contribution to the field. It
demonstrates a knowledge of research methods rather than documenting new
research.)
If you receive a BS and follow it up with a generic certification of some
kind, an employer will see you as having a lot of willingness to demonstrate
the validity of your achievements, that you are willing to go "that extra
mile." It's a big plus.
If you do not have a degree, and you take the time to demonstrate an
in-depth knowledge of some product, this can be a big attraction to an
employer who relies on that product for his or her daily business needs.
That's a big plus, too.
The letters of recommendation are a plus to either of these other two
credentials. It shows you are a worker among workers, and willing to work
toward an imposed goal, for the good of the company.
Alex
P.S. There are "nine ways to do anything in this business." The clever
programmer will figure out one or more of them, but the degreed programmer
has probably already been exposed to them all. That's why the BS in CS takes
more effort than the certification, and why it gets more respect. The
"fundamentals" in this business are called that because they are still
useful when Linux 12.0, Windows Omega, or C-Flat hit the shelves. (Sorry for
the sarcasm, but I really believe in this.)
-----Original Message-----
From: plug-devel-admin@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
[mailto:plug-devel-admin@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us]On Behalf Of R Melder
Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2003 1:32 PM
To: plug-devel@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
Subject: RE: recommended certifications
I dare say that recommendation letters are taken more seriously nowadays
than certifications. I would rather see that an employee is sorely missed
than see that he can memorize an API or fake-out brainbench.
Flame on.
; ) .randy
-----Original Message-----
From: plug-devel-admin@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
[mailto:plug-devel-admin@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us] On Behalf Of scott
watters
Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2003 1:05 PM
To: plug-devel@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us
Subject: recommended certifications
i'm a C++ developer trying to make the transition from the evil empire
to the linux development world. can you suggest/recommend training and
certifications especially in the web development and database arenas which
are respected by employers?
thanks, scott
j scott watters
"everyone should believe in something,
i believe i'll go fishing" thoreau
------=_NextPart_000_0004_01C2D8EA.F7121720
Content-Type: text/html;
charset="Windows-1252"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD><TITLE>Message</TITLE>
<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; =
charset=3Dus-ascii">
<META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.2600.0" name=3DGENERATOR></HEAD>
<BODY>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2>I have=20
to disagree (mildly) with the comparison of letters to certifications. I =
think=20
they are separate issues.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2>There=20
are clearly defined phases (waves, or fads if you prefer) that prompt =
one kind=20
of certification market. I doubt anyone would care if you are certified =
on an=20
OS, a database, or a networking scheme, that was popular three =
generations=20
ago. These kinds of certifications have a lifetime. There is a more =
generic kind=20
of certification that focuses on the fundamentals of computing. (Thirty =
years=20
ago tests were developed by the Institute for Certification of Computer=20
Professionals. Today you can look to the IEEE Computer Society at <A=20
href=3D"http://www.computer.org">www.computer.org</A> for the modern=20
version.)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2>Product-specific certifications are popular with employers who =
use that=20
product. Generic certifications are often seen as strengthening a degree =
of some=20
sort.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2>Degree=20
programs start at the AA (associate's degree) level. In the computer =
industry we=20
see the BS in Information Systems as perhaps a lowest tier, followed by =
the BS=20
in Computer Science. Next comes a Master's in some industry-specific =
program,=20
followed by a standard one with either a project or a thesis. (The =
thesis is a=20
formal document, like a Ph.D. dissertation, but it doesn't have to =
represent a=20
contribution to the field. It demonstrates a knowledge of research =
methods=20
rather than documenting new research.)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2>If you=20
receive a BS and follow it up with a generic certification of some kind, =
an=20
employer will see you as having a lot of willingness to demonstrate the =
validity=20
of your achievements, that you are willing to go "that extra mile." It's =
a big=20
plus.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2>If you=20
do not have a degree, and you take the time to demonstrate an in-depth =
knowledge=20
of some product, this can be a big attraction to an employer who relies =
on that=20
product for his or her daily business needs. That's a big plus,=20
too.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2>The=20
letters of recommendation are a plus to either of these other two =
credentials.=20
It shows you are a worker among workers, and willing to work toward an =
imposed=20
goal, for the good of the company.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2>Alex</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D830145320-20022003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =
size=3D2>P.S.=20
There are "nine ways to do anything in this business." The clever =
programmer=20
will figure out one or more of them, but the degreed programmer has =
probably=20
already been exposed to them all. That's why the BS in CS takes more =
effort than=20
the certification, and why it gets more respect. The "fundamentals" in =
this=20
business are called that because they are still useful when Linux 12.0, =
Windows=20
Omega, or C-Flat hit the shelves. (Sorry for the sarcasm, but I really =
believe=20
in this.)</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE dir=3Dltr=20
style=3D"PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px =
solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV class=3DOutlookMessageHeader dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><FONT =
face=3DTahoma=20
size=3D2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>=20
plug-devel-admin@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us=20
[mailto:plug-devel-admin@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us]<B>On Behalf Of =
</B>R=20
Melder<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, February 20, 2003 1:32 =
PM<BR><B>To:</B>=20
plug-devel@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us<BR><B>Subject:</B> RE: recommended =
certifications<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D203282920-20022003><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>I=20
dare say that recommendation letters are taken more seriously nowadays =
than=20
certifications. I would rather see that an employee is sorely missed =
than see=20
that he can memorize an API or fake-out =
brainbench.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D203282920-20022003><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D203282920-20022003><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2>Flame on.</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D203282920-20022003><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D203282920-20022003><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>; )=20
.randy</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV align=3Dleft><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>-----Original=20
Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> plug-devel-admin@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us =
[mailto:plug-devel-admin@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us] <B>On Behalf Of =
</B>scott=20
watters<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, February 20, 2003 1:05 =
PM<BR><B>To:</B>=20
plug-devel@lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us<BR><B>Subject:</B> recommended=20
certifications<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE style=3D"MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<P>i'm a C++ developer trying to make the transition from the evil =
empire to=20
the linux development world. can you suggest/recommend =
training and=20
certifications especially in the web development and database arenas =
which=20
are respected by employers?</P>
<P>thanks, scott</P><BR><BR><BR>j scott watters <BR><BR>"everyone =
should=20
believe in something, <BR>i believe i'll go fishing"=20
thoreau</BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>
------=_NextPart_000_0004_01C2D8EA.F7121720--