Judy Katz, the Communcations Manager over at Prometric released a document named “The Top 10 IT Certification Myths. Addressing the top 10 Myths About IT Certification: A Counterpoint Position to Misinterpretation” (read here). In case you aren’t aware, Prometric handles the IBM certifications and many other certifications for big name IT leaders. Let’s take a quick look at what she talks about here.
Myths:
Certifications are Vendor-centric
- While this is true, the negative outlook on this truth is unwarranted. Most technologies are developed by specific vendors, and certain vendors are the best to oversee certification over the technology. This means that while a certification may be vendor specific, that vendor’s certification will prove a highly technical mastery of the subject at hand.
Certification’s Life Cycle Is Short
- This is a benefit of the changing times and increasingly powerful IT innovations. The ability to prove mastery over a current, cutting edge technology has many benefits and employers do see a difference between those certified in archaic technologies and those keeping up with innovation and trends
Certifications Are Not Real-World Oriented
- This criticism has holes in it, being that real world changes and is different from place to place. Holding certifications in multiple technologies at different levels shows your ability to understand multiple aspects of a technology. Many certifications also provide real world simulations or environments as a part of the process, and therefore this myth loses truth between vendors and technologies
Certifications Have Been Devalued
- It has been proven that those holding certifications have higher than average salaries, and that cheating is becoming increasingly difficult if not impossible for many certifications.
No Oversight Body
- The Information Technology Certification Council (ITCC) was formed to oversee the certification process and is comprised of many IT leaders such as IBM, HP and Microsoft
Degree vs. Certification vs. Experience
- Certifications prove a deeper understanding and knowledge of specific technologies that degrees cannot match. Also, certifications speak volumes to those holding them. Certifications are often seen as tie breakers when other credentials are equal
HR People Are Not In Touch with the Real World
- Certifications stand as a clear delimiter of in depth knowledge over a subject and therefore are an obvious benefit to HR execs.
Budget Cuts
- Studies have shown that companies supporting tuition and certification reimbursement attract higher attention and therefore these remain to be values of top competitor companies.
Glut of Certified People
- A gap exists between the required knowledge and the available skilled professionals. Certifications help bridge that gap by providing the market with skilled employees.
No One Knows Which Certs Matter
- Certifications add a widely accepted benefit to any professional. An employer needn’t know the specifics of the certification to understand the benefit of hiring certified professionals.
Overall I found this write up to be beneficial and to provide further justification for seeking certifications whether you are currently employed with an organization that provides reimbursement, or if you are on the job market and looking for an edge over your competition
