Are the members of TE in the minority when it comes to certs in the workplace?

Most of the people I have become friends/aquintances with either have no or few certifications. This can range from high level managers to help desk employees. The ones that do have certifications seem to only have 1-2 certifications usually. I'm not taking a head count, but being an extrovert I engage in conversations a lot and people openly disclose this information. A lot of times they see me reading a book related to a certification and that sparks a conversation.

A few things I noticed.

Most managers I have met that have certifications were paid for by the company and sent them to a training course, because it was a requirement or heavily influenced. This is only for managers that I have noticed this accommodation. I have seen reimbursements back to employees for education, but not a lot of certification reimbursement unless there is a solid business reason or value that is apparent.

Most technologist I have met might get the low level certifications like A+ and then just progress through attrition, good fortune, and/or solid performance appraisals. This isn't to say I don't see individuals with certifications it's just not as much as I would of expected. I have worked in a lot of different environments and this seems to be the case for most.

I also noticed that some employees seem to binge cert until they get where they want to be and then literally slam the breaks. Never to return to the certification world ever again.

Have you noticed this at all?

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Comments

blargoe

N2IT wrote: »

I personally like getting certifications that capture my experience and drive me in the direction I want to go.

This is where I am personally. I'm no longer at a point where I feel I have to justify myself with certifications, but at the same time, if I have requisite experience working with something that is a highly valued skill, I will try to certify if I can find the time.

N2IT

blargoe

That's probably the best strategy in your career. No need to waste time and money on certifications that bring no return. Focus on the ones that capture the knowledge you enjoy and that will transition you into that dream role.

JDMurray

onesaint wrote: »

Out of the folks I know the two that are all cert'ed up have the highest paying jobs in completely different areas of IT. Maybe that's due to ambition, the certs, or just luck. I can't say.

It not just one thing; it's all of those and more. People are always looking for the single, "golden ticket" to success. The one thing that will make it all happen for themselves. In reality, success in anything a combination of many factors (training, education, experience, who you know, etc.) plus timing (opportunity) and just plain luck.

onesaint

agreed, JD. I forgot about timing, but was just thinking about it. It's a very big factor, be it when you entered the workforce and what new developments were happening to something more finite as what was on your resume when a particular job was offered. Some positions are only open for a few short weeks before they are filled.

NetworkingStudent

Just based on the IT guys I met at networking events and in IT volunteer roles(in MN), I can say that certifications are seen as an option. Most of the IT pro’s I have met seem them as a lot of extra work, with little ROI.
Most of the IT guys I have met would stop at the A+.

N2IT

@NetworkStudent

I agree a lot of them had A+ and nothing else. I've seen that a lot even on some managers. I guess they started on the desk or in some other team and promoted up through the company.

It seems that most people look at certifications as keys to open doors and once the door is open there is no more need for the keys. You already have access.

drkat

N2: You know my view on certs, I dont believe in em or want em, but... if the company is paying for them and paying me more for having them then it's a win win situation. This is the only way I'd be certified.

N2IT

DR hard to argue you with that strategy.

BTW gratz on voice!

drkat

Thank ya sir..

kremit

Most of the people that I work with have no certifications and got their job based on who they knew and/or past experience. When I asked a couple guys how they got enough experience to get the job they had, they provided me very generic answers, built servers for a large company, managed desktops for a large company, but their experience had 100% nothing to do with what their current job roles are.

I am almost in this conundrum on what would push me forward networking with people or getting more certs. I have ran into situations where a company wouldn't hire me because I haven't worked for a large company before or that formal education in something wasn't enough. Which then throws me back into the conundrum.

htebazile

The DoD 8570.01M requirement mandates certs for privileged users of DoD assets, so everyone I work with is certified at least to the level they are required to be - but only one person I work with has gone above and beyond and strives for additional certs. Others talk about getting more certs, but they haven't acted on it.

Since I'm not getting much out of my current job, as far as new skills, I'm trying to make myself more marketable with certs and education (starting M.S. degree next week), so that when I leave my job, I have something to bring to the table.

UnixGuy

undomiel wrote: »

We only have just barely enough to maintain gold partnership status with Microsoft.....

^^ same here. We're required to get certified to maintain partnership with vendors. Sales people use our CVs in tenders, so we're asked from time to time to get certs like CISSP, VMware, PMP,..etc.