Are Certifications of Any Use in Tech?

Do certifications hold any value in today's software engineering ?

Welcome back to another edition of The Hustling Engineer! This week, we’re talking about something many of you have strong opinions on:

Are certifications of any use in tech ?

I ran a poll with 800 participants, and 70% of you said NO. But the comments tell a more detailed story. Let’s dive in.

The Poll Results

Out of 800 people, 70% think certifications aren’t useful in tech. That’s a big number, but let’s look at what you all had to say in more detail.

What You Said

I’ve compiled the points below from the comments I got on the poll, but if you want to see the raw comments, here is the link to LinkedIN post

1. Learning Process Matters:

   • Many of you feel the real value is in the learning. One reader said, "The training is more valuable if done seriously than the certificate itself. It helps prove our skills, especially when switching jobs."

   • Another mentioned, "Preparing for the exam always taught me something new and filled gaps in my knowledge."

2. Job Search and Visibility:

   • Certifications can help you get noticed by employers. One person shared, "My Azure certs helped me get recruited by Microsoft because they made my profile more visible."

   • Others said certifications like ISTQB and AWS Solution Architect are good for getting noticed in job searches.

3. Learning vs. Earning:

   • A common theme is focusing on learning, not just getting the certificate. "Focus on learning; certificates should be a side effect. Everyone has certificates these days, but many don’t know how things work in reality."

   • For some jobs, certifications are necessary. One reader wrote, "I needed security certs for a job. They helped my career because I got the job and learned a lot."

4. Cost vs. Value:

   • The cost of certifications can be a concern. "I’m hesitant to pay for expert-level certificates due to the cost vs. value. They’re not as necessary if you can prove your knowledge in an interview."

   • This shows a common worry about whether the expense of higher-level certifications is worth it.

5. Job Market Reality:

   • Some believe degrees and certifications help stand out in a competitive job market. "Degrees and certs are the only way to set yourself apart. The world is biased, and so are recruiters."

While most of you are skeptical about certifications, your comments show a more balanced view. Certifications aren’t everything, but they can help in certain situations:

1. They help you learn: Preparing for certifications can deepen your knowledge and fill gaps.

2. They make you more visible: In a crowded job market, certifications can help your profile stand out.

3. They are sometimes required: For certain jobs, especially in fields like security, certifications are mandatory.

4. They are a strategic choice: Think about the cost vs. value, especially for higher-level certifications. Sometimes, hands-on experience and skills are more valuable.

My Take

• I have never done any certification in my life and I don’t think it matters for a software engineer role.

• I never advise my mentees to do any certification but rather tell them to build something. A working web/mobile app using AWS services is more impressive to me than a AWS certification

If you are a cloud architect, certifications like AWS Solutions Architect etc can help you stand apart. If you are a networking professional, certificates like CCNA can help you establish expertise.

But I don’t think there is any specific requirement for a certificate to be a skilled software engineer.

I can be wrong on many parts here, so feel free to enlighten me in comments.

Keep hustling, engineers! Until next week.

Before you leave to succeed, if we aren’t connected yet, feel free to connect

---

Connect with Me

• LinkedIN

• Instagram

• Twitter

---

Recommendations

If you are looking to grow in tech or love reading about tech, don’t miss these creators: