Comments on: Everybody Wins In The Certification Game http://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/ inquisitive: adjective. given to inquiry, research, or asking questions; eager for knowledge; intellectually curious Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:42:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Justinhttp://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/comment-page-1/#comment-101070 Justin Sat, 27 Aug 2011 02:52:00 +0000 http://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/#comment-101070 I had this realization recently, though unfortunately it was after I had wasted my money. I took and failed a Microsoft Certification Exam (MCTS Application Developer with .NET 4). I realized after the test that it doesn't really test valuable skills in a real development environment. All of the code examples and supposed "best way to use WInForms and WPF" questions involved just putting controls on a form or WPF window and throw a bunch of event handlers in a code behind file. I did that in college. Why don't certifications teach what the industry really uses, like good SOLID principles and design patterns? Not to mention that Microsoft recommends 2-3 years experience for those taking the test. If you are making applications like the ones described after 2-3 years, there's something wrong. I had this realization recently, though unfortunately it was after I had wasted my money. I took and failed a Microsoft Certification Exam (MCTS Application Developer with .NET 4). I realized after the test that it doesn’t really test valuable skills in a real development environment. All of the code examples and supposed “best way to use WInForms and WPF” questions involved just putting controls on a form or WPF window and throw a bunch of event handlers in a code behind file. I did that in college. Why don’t certifications teach what the industry really uses, like good SOLID principles and design patterns? Not to mention that Microsoft recommends 2-3 years experience for those taking the test. If you are making applications like the ones described after 2-3 years, there’s something wrong.

]]> By: Cert Information and Newshttp://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/comment-page-1/#comment-58845 Cert Information and News Sun, 12 Sep 2010 12:27:57 +0000 http://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/#comment-58845 <strong>Everybody Wins In The Certification Game...</strong>Everybody Wins In The Certification Game by Davy Brion You often hear developers complain about the value of certifications.  Most certifications are worthless in my opinion, and you sure as hell don’t need to be smart or talented to be able to get cer... Everybody Wins In The Certification Game…

Everybody Wins In The Certification Game by Davy Brion You often hear developers complain about the value of certifications.  Most certifications are worthless in my opinion, and you sure as hell don’t need to be smart or talented to be able to get cer…

]]> By: Some interesting reads – Windows Server Tools For Troubleshooting and Certifications - Nick Harris .NEThttp://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/comment-page-1/#comment-33394 Some interesting reads – Windows Server Tools For Troubleshooting and Certifications - Nick Harris .NET Wed, 24 Mar 2010 06:19:01 +0000 http://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/#comment-33394 [...] Everybody wins in the certification game none Leave a comment Trackback [...] [...] Everybody wins in the certification game none Leave a comment Trackback [...]

]]> By: Mike Dripshttp://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/comment-page-1/#comment-33072 Mike Drips Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:37:18 +0000 http://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/#comment-33072 I used to write certification tests a long time ago for Microsoft. You have 2 wrong answers, one that looks really really right (called a distractor)and the correct answer. No one on the Microsoft campus gets certified. It's a business. When I worked for Avanade (a partnership between Accenture and Microsoft) we had to get certified, BUT we were also given a list of "study" sites where we could purchase the example tests (which were about 90 percent of the actual test) to ensure that we passed. As a consultant of thirty plus years in IT, I don't do certifications or pre-tests. Hell, even technical interviews can be a total waste of time. I like the idea of doing your own personal certification though... I used to write certification tests a long time ago for Microsoft. You have 2 wrong answers, one that looks really really right (called a distractor)and the correct answer. No one on the Microsoft campus gets certified. It’s a business. When I worked for Avanade (a partnership between Accenture and Microsoft) we had to get certified, BUT we were also given a list of “study” sites where we could purchase the example tests (which were about 90 percent of the actual test) to ensure that we passed.
As a consultant of thirty plus years in IT, I don’t do certifications or pre-tests. Hell, even technical interviews can be a total waste of time. I like the idea of doing your own personal certification though…

]]> By: Brad F.http://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/comment-page-1/#comment-33066 Brad F. Sun, 21 Mar 2010 22:10:38 +0000 http://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/#comment-33066 Found this article via Google Reader Play. It was a really fun read and my wife and I have talked about how useless and meaningless certifications are on a number of occasions. In her line of work there are people who are certified who constantly make mistakes and ask her how to do something, and she's not certified. Guess who pulls the higher salary? Certifications are born of greed and stupidity and the only thing they're good for is helping idiots get higher pay and better jobs because it enables lazy supervisors to promote based on a paper trail, rather than a proven record of excellence.On a side-note, the Google Ad that was in the feed along with your article was for getting "SAP" certified at academies in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and India. Ironic, isn't it? Found this article via Google Reader Play. It was a really fun read and my wife and I have talked about how useless and meaningless certifications are on a number of occasions. In her line of work there are people who are certified who constantly make mistakes and ask her how to do something, and she’s not certified. Guess who pulls the higher salary? Certifications are born of greed and stupidity and the only thing they’re good for is helping idiots get higher pay and better jobs because it enables lazy supervisors to promote based on a paper trail, rather than a proven record of excellence.

On a side-note, the Google Ad that was in the feed along with your article was for getting “SAP” certified at academies in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and India. Ironic, isn’t it?

]]> By: Peterhttp://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/comment-page-1/#comment-33004 Peter Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:59:03 +0000 http://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/#comment-33004 I admit I've done the 2 day SCRUM course. I've subscribed for the course not for the certificate, hell I didn't even know upfront that I would get a certificate.I still think it was usefull, we had some interesting discussions. Yes I agree the certificate doesn't mean anything, but that doesn't mean the course itself is useless. Of course actual expirience is much more valuable but having a discussion with the rest of the class on real-life cases can be meaningfull. I admit I’ve done the 2 day SCRUM course. I’ve subscribed for the course not for the certificate, hell I didn’t even know upfront that I would get a certificate.

I still think it was usefull, we had some interesting discussions. Yes I agree the certificate doesn’t mean anything, but that doesn’t mean the course itself is useless. Of course actual expirience is much more valuable but having a discussion with the rest of the class on real-life cases can be meaningfull.

]]> By: zihotkihttp://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/comment-page-1/#comment-32989 zihotki Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:39:59 +0000 http://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/#comment-32989 I share your opinion on certificates. I'm not proud of my certificates at all and I think that sh*t paper is more valuable that a certificate but I'll play the game if my chief increase my salary. And probably almost all people will do this. Another question is how to get prepared for the certification. I'm not going to spend a lot of time and if I can cheat I'll cheat. Your idea about creating my own certification is awesome. Next time I'll search for a job, I'll make up some full of buzz-words company name and certificate name, create some shiny starburst and self-certificate myself! I share your opinion on certificates. I’m not proud of my certificates at all and I think that sh*t paper is more valuable that a certificate but I’ll play the game if my chief increase my salary. And probably almost all people will do this. Another question is how to get prepared for the certification. I’m not going to spend a lot of time and if I can cheat I’ll cheat.
Your idea about creating my own certification is awesome. Next time I’ll search for a job, I’ll make up some full of buzz-words company name and certificate name, create some shiny starburst and self-certificate myself!

]]> By: J Healyhttp://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/comment-page-1/#comment-32986 J Healy Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:36:25 +0000 http://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/#comment-32986 It's a definite no on certs and pre-interview on-line tests. I might feel differently if I were young and starting out with no experience, but there is no way in hell I'd play that game at this point. It’s a definite no on certs and pre-interview on-line tests. I might feel differently if I were young and starting out with no experience, but there is no way in hell I’d play that game at this point.

]]> By: Davy Brionhttp://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/comment-page-1/#comment-32962 Davy Brion Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:21:19 +0000 http://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/#comment-32962 very simple: if someone doesn't want me because i don't list certs (i actually did get one when i was young and naive but i don't put it on my resume), i know i'm better off without them :) very simple: if someone doesn’t want me because i don’t list certs (i actually did get one when i was young and naive but i don’t put it on my resume), i know i’m better off without them :)

]]> By: Jan Van Ryswyckhttp://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/comment-page-1/#comment-32961 Jan Van Ryswyck Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:14:06 +0000 http://davybrion.com/blog/2010/03/everybody-wins-in-the-certification-game/#comment-32961 As a consultant, how do you deal with the demand for certifications (either by clients or the company you work for)? As a consultant, how do you deal with the demand for certifications (either by clients or the company you work for)?

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