hmm, the idea that certs are useless is something that I held myself for
quite awhile.
Now, looking at where I am now, I would not have gotten the job I have
without the certifications I do have. The problem seemed to me that
folks relied too heavily on certifications, either college or other.
While it is possible to provide a certain leel of proof in an interview
that you know what you are talking about, most companies seem to look at
the certs first, as a way to decide who even makes it to the interveiw.
So, for me, I'm glad I have the certs. It allows me to at least get to
the table so I CAN talk intelligently about the position. I certainly
can do it without the certs but I would not be given the chance to
without them.
Another piont to make is that the certs I hold have also allowed me
bargaining power when it comes to money, Companies can not just look at
me crosseyed and snicker when I ask for more pay comeasurate (sp?) with
my knowledge. Now, I have the chance to say, "Uhh excuse me but you can
not summarily dismiss my desire to make ends meet anymore. I can take my
knowledge elsewhere." Even though you have not proved that you actually
know what the hell you are doing, it does stop and make the company
think if they want to risk their comeptition getting your knowledge when
they could have it. (Yes, this does mean that if you get the job you had
BEST be able to provide what you say you can.)
To go further on that point, one of the biggest things that held me back
in the industry with getting the level of pay and position I warranted
was the lack of certs or college. This gave the companies something to
base a decision of lower pay on. "Sorry but we just can't pay you as
much as we'd like to. You don't have any certifications or college."
Well guess what, now I do. They can't use that against me anymore and it
allows me to level the playing field. True, certs are meant to show that
you are competent and capable, the truth is companies use them as
bargaining chips.
On top of all of this, the industry as a whole is seeing this trend and
the working community is tired of it. There are companies out there that
are saying "If you want OUR bargaining chip for your negotiations with
companies you had better be able to pass the tests. So, to ensure that
we can guarentee a minimum leevel of competence, we will structure our
tests to really test your knowledge." Doing so gives them the ability to
set a standard minimum not a maximum. This affects the companies out
there using these certs as bargaining chips between potential employees
to re-evaluate how they play the game. This helps the employee as it
levels the field for them.
For me, I think certs are good provided a definite eye is kept on the
quality of the tests administered.
I, too, have my RHCE. I was employed by them. Some probably think they
just slap a tag on you and say "You are now an RHCE." Nothing of the
sort. You have to take the tests with the guys coming in from Sun, IBM,
Dell, and other companies jsut like everyone else. If you don't pass the
tests within a certain time frame, you don't have a job. They did this
to make it fair and in doing so made the value of their tests and
courses that much more potent and valuable.
With a course that has a 60% failure rate, Red Hat RHCE is definitely
something to be proud of obtaining.
--
David D.W. Downey Red Hat Certified Engineer Cert# 806100581800665
Assistant Site Manager http://www.LinuxNewbie.Com Come on, join us!
Resume is online - http://www.brainbench.com/transcript.jsp?pid=96113
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