There are times when I briefly consider going back to university to get a second degree or masters in computers. The first time around I got my license to paint, but yet my career is in computers. Frankly, it’s worked our very nicely, but I always wonder what I could learn.
But then reality sets in and I don’t like school. I didn’t like college the first time around, so why go back? The next option then: certifications, of course.
Since the biggest tool of my trade is the PHP programming language, the logical choice for certification is one for PHP. Unfortunately, since PHP is an open-source product, there isn’t really one company that knows what is right and wrong - at least not like with Microsoft products. But Zend is the closest you get to having an “official” PHP authority.
They conveniently had an online test that is a mere sample of their real certification test, so I took it. Three out of 10. Ouch - slightly shocking considering I’ve been doing PHP for about five years. But in my defense, the test covered commands I don’t use nor ever heard of, so I had to guess - and I just guessed wrong.
Nonetheless, it told me I should polish up on everything so I can take the test and get certified. I conned the boss to get me the practice test and study guide for the certification.
I started through the study guide that covers the topics and commands that will be in the test. I found it very interesting how they refer to methods and commands and even code style. Since I learned programming on my own, I had to make up my own conventions and just use the commands I have always used - afterall, if it works, no need to mess things up by trying something new…
As I read, I found I knew more than I thought because it’s not that I didn’t know what to do technically, I just didn’t understand the question because they used terminology and formatting I didn’t understand. What I call a “function”, they call a “method”; and what I call a “label” is a “namespace” - stuff like that.
I’m not finished yet, but the next section is regular expressions which will certainly kick my ass because expressions are complicated regardless what language you’re using.
But will certification be worth it? Hard to tell. It will probably be a while before take the actual exam - I can thank budget cuts for that - but it will happen eventually. Until then, I’m pretty content learning a few things I didn’t know just from reading through the study guide.
Worth it? probably not.
A cert doesn’t really mean much of anything. If anything, it only means that you were willing to jump through some hoops and pay them some money.
I’ve often thought of getting Microsoft Certified and Cisco certified. Then I looked at what it cost. To me, it’s a scam.
Do you really have time and energy to put towards studying for a certification?
Put your time and energy into the next big thing. Do something fun that you can really get excited about.
G+
I’ve actually learned a lot just from studying for the certification. Now I know some cool things so I can make the next big thing.
Plus it’s not coming out of my pocket, so I really don’t care what it costs. It might get me some more cash next review…doesn’t hurt, I figure.
I suppose in that case, go for it.
-Matt
Maybe it would benefit you on a resume level. In other words, it is a resume filler. Getting your master’s or something like that might be more beneficial. But if it anything like my field (education), they’d rather not have to pay you more.