Balancing Certifications & Revisions

iVictor

I see folks continue to up the game and capture the cert-shines with finesse.

So, you have done a handful of certifications within, let's say, an year and going strong. It is a consistent effort that keeps this ball rolling.

What I am interested in knowing is do you plan and do revision of all the subjects that you covered & got certified in an year?

Those that actively do this, how do you keep a balance with the pause & resume for the next certification study.

I understand that some subjects may or may not be your primary domain of work. How do you balance it up with the overall picture then - preparing for the next cert, revising what you have done and studying, practicing and revising the subjects that are not your direct line of work?

I feel this is an important aspect of certification studies & preparations.

I'd like to hear how you guys approach this.

+Victor

docrice

In my case, things are very fluid. My certification path has veered more than expected depending on new job responsibilities, mood, industry trends, personal interests, and so on. Most of my certs center around a common skills base so revising them periodically with additional studies in the same area (say for example, the CCNP: Security track) would only reinforce and build upon what I already got certified in.

There was a time when I wanted to get an MCITP as I've been working on Microsoft technologies for a long while, but I'm also relieved that I didn't since I don't really focus on the sysadmin side of things anymore and my efforts around networking has paid off much nicer. I'll miss it, but I can't be a generalist forever, even if that knowledge would benefit me strongly in my current job.

In the security scene, things shift often and so I just have to adapt as things roll along. I'm sure I'll have to let some things slide depending on what work requires and the amount of real left-over time available at home. I'd say that I hit the pause and resumes buttons somewhat irregularly. At some point (especially with the deep concentration subjects), you have to spend plenty of time doing the work in the area that a given certification covered, which leaves a lot less time for new cert studies than before. It's dangerous to stretch yourself too thin. There just aren't enough hours in the day.