In hindsight, did your IT certifications make any difference in your IT career?

Oh man! Ad-blocking software has been detected! :'(

This website is run by the community, for the community... and it needs advertisements in order to keep running. Blocking our ads means your killing our stats!
Please disable your ad-block, or become a premium member to hide all advertisements and this notice.

When I first started studying for my MCSE 2003, I was very hungry for knowledge and it was all about the challenge. 70-270 Windows XP was my first IT certification bagging me an MCP, and I was hooked, could I slay the exams and get my MCSE. I liked the structure and instead of me learning random bits and bobs, I had a path laid out for me. I had a few set backs, a few times I'd prepared poorly, but I made it after 14 months and 7 or 8 passed exams or so I think it was.

Then once I had the IT job I wanted, Server Engineer at the time, Certs took a back seat while experience was king. When work offered to send me on the vSphere 4.1 install configure manage (ICM) course, it felt a no brainer that I should look to get my first VCP so I was back on the cert trail, not always with successful outcomes as can be found somewhere in the depths of my CF posts.

Fast forwarding 4 years, I'd done the vSphere 5.1 what's new course and renewed my VCP to 5, but otherwise Certification again took a back seat as I went into Architecture. I was a generalist at a high level and I didn't need any low level knowledge to a degree as it bogged me down, and the SMEs often did the Low Level Designs based on my High Level Designs. He could worry about port numbers, I just said what should speak to what and reference that the relevant ports should be open. You get the picture.

At this point in my career I was sure I didn't need to maintain my certs for much longer as I wasn't getting my hands dirty. Truth be told on some areas I'd gone so high level I didn't know what I knew anymore so would likely fail some of the exams I'd passed previously. My VCP however, was now my most valuable certifications in my opinion, and anyone with one will know, you have to re certify it every two years or you lose it. Should you no longer be certified, you then need the ICM course again in addition to passing the VCP exam, so I decided it was probably wise to get my VCP6 to give me another two years to think about it. Not just that, I've always found virtualisation genuinely interesting.

I passed the BCS Enterprise and Solution Architecture exam which was a TOGAF equivalent, only as work sent me on the course, but otherwise I was cert free again. Done my time, I've got enough certs to show I'm not a charlatan, that'll do me.

Two years later I was still not pursuing any certifications but my VCP was coming up for renewal again. This time I was approaching a new phase of my career, having had my fill of architecture, and looking for a new challenge. A friend of mine worked for VMware and told me about a role he thought I'd like so I went for it. Admittedly a little rare, but one of the pre-reqs for the role.... must be VCP 5, ideally 6! I couldn't believe my luck maintaining my VCP. Long story short, I got the VMware job and had to pass my VCP 6.5 about three weeks after I started. I felt the pressure to be honest, how bad would it look if I fail this, I've failed in the past.

Lucky for me I knew I'd renew my VCP no matter what happened and I'd been studying for it for about three months. It was tough but I passed it, just about!

In hindsight did IT certifications make any difference to my IT career. For me 1 million percent. Each was a stepping stone until I came across the virtualisation topics and VCP which I found to be right up my street. The MCSE was essential in my Server job, and they'd filter people out without one to reduce the CVs back in my day, not sure if it's still the same. Then I got my VCP and by the skin of my teeth, literally passing my VCP6 on the last day I could (not wise), helped me to get a job I love with VMware themselves.

I'm now settling into my new role and starting to plan my VCAP 6.5 with a view to getting the VCIX. Not sure if I have a VCDX in me, but never say never. Just my 2 cents. Jim. *Disclaimer, all views are my own and not necessarily those of my employer!

 

I have to agree with the others and say "Yes" for me... When I first started, I was eager getting as much as I could and within two years got a Senior IT Tech role, then just over 2 years after that got an IT Managers role. While my role is still half-hands-on, I still study but not as much as I use to - but that's because of the role I have... If/when I do move on up/across (depending on if I move up to a directors position or decide to leave management), then my studies will take a different route...

Your education (eg your academic), certifications (vocational & professional) and experience - whether you have all 3, a combination of 2, or even if you only have one of them will help mold you into the IT Professional that are and want to be... However I would also say that those 3 are not the only things that will help you.

 

I hope you do well Dave in the developer world. Is there a cert that is very highly regarded or considered extremely difficult to get? Likes of a VCDX from VMware, CCIE from Cisco, CISSP etc?

 

Is that the Laid+ cert? ;)