MS Certifications.. is it Worth it?
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Just read [this](https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/816579/Book-review-MCSD-Certification-Toolkit-Exam-Progra) I considered going for MS Certs a while back. At that time it seemed like the opinions were split on whether or not certs had any real value. So, for those who have gotten MS Certs, do you think it was worth it? What benefits did you obtain from getting it? Would you do it again? For those who chose not to, why not?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
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Just read [this](https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/816579/Book-review-MCSD-Certification-Toolkit-Exam-Progra) I considered going for MS Certs a while back. At that time it seemed like the opinions were split on whether or not certs had any real value. So, for those who have gotten MS Certs, do you think it was worth it? What benefits did you obtain from getting it? Would you do it again? For those who chose not to, why not?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
I was going to many years ago until I realized that you could pay someone to sit them for you so they really had zero value or credibility. Perhaps it's changed now.
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Just read [this](https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/816579/Book-review-MCSD-Certification-Toolkit-Exam-Progra) I considered going for MS Certs a while back. At that time it seemed like the opinions were split on whether or not certs had any real value. So, for those who have gotten MS Certs, do you think it was worth it? What benefits did you obtain from getting it? Would you do it again? For those who chose not to, why not?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
Never bothered. But I did take some prep classes and those were informative.
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Just read [this](https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/816579/Book-review-MCSD-Certification-Toolkit-Exam-Progra) I considered going for MS Certs a while back. At that time it seemed like the opinions were split on whether or not certs had any real value. So, for those who have gotten MS Certs, do you think it was worth it? What benefits did you obtain from getting it? Would you do it again? For those who chose not to, why not?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
Up front confession: I have no certs A former co-worker worked to get his MCSE and was proud of it.. but then it was constantly.. that class has expired, you have to recertify. Outside of costing a lot of money and time, he didn't see the value in it. The company we worked for didn't require it and there was no company incentive to get up-to-date classes. Another co-worker took a job with a consulting firm that required him to get his DBA classes; they used that as leverage to request a higher rate for him. He passed the class because it was required, and he got a bonus for doing so, but I don't know that he ever used the knowledge gained. So... it really depends on your circumstances.
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Up front confession: I have no certs A former co-worker worked to get his MCSE and was proud of it.. but then it was constantly.. that class has expired, you have to recertify. Outside of costing a lot of money and time, he didn't see the value in it. The company we worked for didn't require it and there was no company incentive to get up-to-date classes. Another co-worker took a job with a consulting firm that required him to get his DBA classes; they used that as leverage to request a higher rate for him. He passed the class because it was required, and he got a bonus for doing so, but I don't know that he ever used the knowledge gained. So... it really depends on your circumstances.
MCSE = Must Consult Someone Experienced
Jeremy Falcon
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Just read [this](https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/816579/Book-review-MCSD-Certification-Toolkit-Exam-Progra) I considered going for MS Certs a while back. At that time it seemed like the opinions were split on whether or not certs had any real value. So, for those who have gotten MS Certs, do you think it was worth it? What benefits did you obtain from getting it? Would you do it again? For those who chose not to, why not?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
After over two decades of being in the industry of being hired and doing the hiring I learned this... if an employer gets too excited about certs than that employer doesn't know what they're doing. Certs are useful *only* to convey some competence to people that have no other way to gauge it by virtue of them not knowing what they're doing, they have money to pay for employees and that's all. Last MS class I took was for SharePoint development a couple years ago. It was a joke. The books where nothing more than reference material I could find online and all the instructor did was read from the book. To top it off, they go over entry level concepts and pretend it's advanced stuff. It's more about money than anything else IMO. Nothing beats real world experience. Certs are like vitamin supplements, they're ok to buy, but don't stop eating food (experience). Certificates expire. They're not hard to get, etc. I used to keep up with them and I don't now. What I find works better is a lot of work experience. If you have that, then certs are less important. If you have no experience, then they help. But even outside of that... a portfolio. Show the employer what you can do. A great portfolio goes much further than a cert that's really aimed at the lowest bars of the industry.
Jeremy Falcon
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After over two decades of being in the industry of being hired and doing the hiring I learned this... if an employer gets too excited about certs than that employer doesn't know what they're doing. Certs are useful *only* to convey some competence to people that have no other way to gauge it by virtue of them not knowing what they're doing, they have money to pay for employees and that's all. Last MS class I took was for SharePoint development a couple years ago. It was a joke. The books where nothing more than reference material I could find online and all the instructor did was read from the book. To top it off, they go over entry level concepts and pretend it's advanced stuff. It's more about money than anything else IMO. Nothing beats real world experience. Certs are like vitamin supplements, they're ok to buy, but don't stop eating food (experience). Certificates expire. They're not hard to get, etc. I used to keep up with them and I don't now. What I find works better is a lot of work experience. If you have that, then certs are less important. If you have no experience, then they help. But even outside of that... a portfolio. Show the employer what you can do. A great portfolio goes much further than a cert that's really aimed at the lowest bars of the industry.
Jeremy Falcon
Excellent. Thanks!
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
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Just read [this](https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/816579/Book-review-MCSD-Certification-Toolkit-Exam-Progra) I considered going for MS Certs a while back. At that time it seemed like the opinions were split on whether or not certs had any real value. So, for those who have gotten MS Certs, do you think it was worth it? What benefits did you obtain from getting it? Would you do it again? For those who chose not to, why not?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
I think about it too, but I see little merit in them. Some organizations think getting a certification is like getting a PhD; meaning you are an expert in the discipline. I am looking to reinvent my career, if you get my drift :), but ponder how to market myself in technologies that I do not have a lot of experience in. And certs are all just marketing; they are not real hands on experience.
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Excellent. Thanks!
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
You're welcome.
Jeremy Falcon
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Just read [this](https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/816579/Book-review-MCSD-Certification-Toolkit-Exam-Progra) I considered going for MS Certs a while back. At that time it seemed like the opinions were split on whether or not certs had any real value. So, for those who have gotten MS Certs, do you think it was worth it? What benefits did you obtain from getting it? Would you do it again? For those who chose not to, why not?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
Certs are pointless. You can pass them with little/no effort AND with no special knowledge. I have an MCSA, but ONLY because it was required for my job. This, despite the fact that even though I'm now a certified DB SA, I STILL don't have full SA permissions on our database. Security absurdity...
".45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly" - JSOP, 2010
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You can never have too much ammo - unless you're swimming, or on fire. - JSOP, 2010
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When you pry the gun from my cold dead hands, be careful - the barrel will be very hot. - JSOP, 2013 -
MCSE = Must Consult Someone Experienced
Jeremy Falcon
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Just read [this](https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/816579/Book-review-MCSD-Certification-Toolkit-Exam-Progra) I considered going for MS Certs a while back. At that time it seemed like the opinions were split on whether or not certs had any real value. So, for those who have gotten MS Certs, do you think it was worth it? What benefits did you obtain from getting it? Would you do it again? For those who chose not to, why not?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
I think they might be useful when the company you work for gets certified for membership for Microsoft's Partner program, and then they might require X number of people to get some certifications to get Gold Partner status. What the Gold status buys you over the "regular" Partner membership, I have no idea. I'm sure the details are out there. My own assessment? It's not worth the paper it's printed on. And I'm saying that knowing they probably don't even send you a printed certificate anymore...
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Just read [this](https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/816579/Book-review-MCSD-Certification-Toolkit-Exam-Progra) I considered going for MS Certs a while back. At that time it seemed like the opinions were split on whether or not certs had any real value. So, for those who have gotten MS Certs, do you think it was worth it? What benefits did you obtain from getting it? Would you do it again? For those who chose not to, why not?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
It depends on where you are, if i talk about where i live, here it is not of that much worth, as it does not make you any different from other candidates when appearing in any interview, but yes i prepared for those and successfully completed my MCSD Web Application in 2016 but i didn't find any use of those.
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After over two decades of being in the industry of being hired and doing the hiring I learned this... if an employer gets too excited about certs than that employer doesn't know what they're doing. Certs are useful *only* to convey some competence to people that have no other way to gauge it by virtue of them not knowing what they're doing, they have money to pay for employees and that's all. Last MS class I took was for SharePoint development a couple years ago. It was a joke. The books where nothing more than reference material I could find online and all the instructor did was read from the book. To top it off, they go over entry level concepts and pretend it's advanced stuff. It's more about money than anything else IMO. Nothing beats real world experience. Certs are like vitamin supplements, they're ok to buy, but don't stop eating food (experience). Certificates expire. They're not hard to get, etc. I used to keep up with them and I don't now. What I find works better is a lot of work experience. If you have that, then certs are less important. If you have no experience, then they help. But even outside of that... a portfolio. Show the employer what you can do. A great portfolio goes much further than a cert that's really aimed at the lowest bars of the industry.
Jeremy Falcon
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I could be worth $20 million dollars or a hobo and still think certs are stupid. Fact is, the most succeful people in the world dropped out of college and also tend to agree with that philosophy because by being spoonfed an education you limit yourself to that of the organization doing the spoon feeding. But hey, that's just me. :)
Jeremy Falcon
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Just read [this](https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/816579/Book-review-MCSD-Certification-Toolkit-Exam-Progra) I considered going for MS Certs a while back. At that time it seemed like the opinions were split on whether or not certs had any real value. So, for those who have gotten MS Certs, do you think it was worth it? What benefits did you obtain from getting it? Would you do it again? For those who chose not to, why not?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
Kevin Marois wrote:
So, for those who have gotten MS Certs, do you think it was worth it?
I did it for myself, just to see if I could. Got nothing for it at work because no one knew. Same goes for my graduate degree.
"One man's wage rise is another man's price increase." - Harold Wilson
"Fireproof doesn't mean the fire will never come. It means when the fire comes that you will be able to withstand it." - Michael Simmons
"You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him." - James D. Miles
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I could be worth $20 million dollars or a hobo and still think certs are stupid. Fact is, the most succeful people in the world dropped out of college and also tend to agree with that philosophy because by being spoonfed an education you limit yourself to that of the organization doing the spoon feeding. But hey, that's just me. :)
Jeremy Falcon
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Just read [this](https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/816579/Book-review-MCSD-Certification-Toolkit-Exam-Progra) I considered going for MS Certs a while back. At that time it seemed like the opinions were split on whether or not certs had any real value. So, for those who have gotten MS Certs, do you think it was worth it? What benefits did you obtain from getting it? Would you do it again? For those who chose not to, why not?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
My job will pay for the class(es) and the test(s). So...a week or so away from my desk for each one? Absolutely worth it. :laugh:
We won't sit down. We won't shut up. We won't go quietly away. YouTube and My Mu[sic], Films and Windows Programs, etc.
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Just read [this](https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/816579/Book-review-MCSD-Certification-Toolkit-Exam-Progra) I considered going for MS Certs a while back. At that time it seemed like the opinions were split on whether or not certs had any real value. So, for those who have gotten MS Certs, do you think it was worth it? What benefits did you obtain from getting it? Would you do it again? For those who chose not to, why not?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
Kevin Marois wrote:
whether or not certs had any real value
As Jeremy pointed out, the certificate only matters to people who have no other way to know how competent the person sitting in front of them is.
Kevin Marois wrote:
What benefits did you obtain from getting it?
The effort spent and the knowledge gained while prepping for the certification is totally worth it, as for having the certificate... not so much. Certifications are just another way of making money for them so I'd refrain from getting one. In the end it depends on what your employer needs (wants) from you. If they want the certificate, have them pay for it.
You get nothing... good day sir!!
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Just read [this](https://www.codeproject.com/Articles/816579/Book-review-MCSD-Certification-Toolkit-Exam-Progra) I considered going for MS Certs a while back. At that time it seemed like the opinions were split on whether or not certs had any real value. So, for those who have gotten MS Certs, do you think it was worth it? What benefits did you obtain from getting it? Would you do it again? For those who chose not to, why not?
If it's not broken, fix it until it is. Everything makes sense in someone's mind. Ya can't fix stupid.
Kevin Marois wrote:
What benefits did you obtain from getting it?
Mostly nothing, me and a few colleagues took them to help the company gain the gold partner status with Microsoft.
Kevin Marois wrote:
do you think it was worth it?
Well, the company I worked for did pay for it and I did take them during office hours, so yeah, it was worth it. It's nice to learn a thing or another.
Kevin Marois wrote:
Would you do it again?
No, a lot of what's covered on the certifications I have never used in my life and what I used I actually went over other sources. It never helped me land a job or get a promotion. Not sure if where you live it makes sense. Learning is always a good thing. If you think you will benefit from it, go ahead. I personally prefer using my time to learn through other means.
To alcohol! The cause of, and solution to, all of life's problems - Homer Simpson ---- Our heads are round so our thoughts can change direction - Francis Picabia
