Certifications are a better alternative for degrees in my opinion. Especially if you're looking for someone who is qualified to do a certain task.
Take IT for example. I dont think i'll hire someone who doesnt have any qualifications what so ever, as opposed to someone who is certified in the field. I currently have 5 certifications under my belt. I got them because I wanted the responsibility (and pay of course) that I could not have gotten if I wasnt certified. I, in return, had to show my employer that I know what i'm doing. The best way to do that on paper, is to take a test on a highly specified subject and get certified. Especially if you dont have 4 years to get a degree and are looking for something you can get within a month.
Are there some certs out there that are jokes? Sure. Just like there are dumb degrees out there.
But I would always advise someone getting into the IT field to go for certifications rather than waste time in college, unless they plan on being some sort of department head for a major multi-million dollar corporation.
which is why for technical positions there should be something more akin to apprenticeships. I learned far more having a self-taught netsec guy as a roommate for three years than I did all of university
I guess the point I was trying to make is that every case is going to be different and having certs or degrees is a nothingburger. It will be up to you as the hiring manager to make sure you find what's best for you, regardless of credentials.
I've hired PMs with their PMP and CSM certs who were absolutely horrible. They did things by the book, and the devs hated working with them. I've also worked with engineers who tout their 10 certifications behind their titles, but they aren't able to fully articulate the difference between a DSN and a DNS. Now, the converse is true as well. I've worked with fantastic engineers who did get their certs and who did finish with CS degrees. But the bottom line is that the certs and degrees have never factored in for me.
the bottom line is that the certs and degrees have never factored in for me.
Honestly, I wish there were more hiring managers like you out there.
My job is allowed to hire people without certs, but they have to be able to obtain them within 90 days as per our contract. So there's that too. If they know their shit, a cert shouldn't be hard to get, in my opinion.
Truth is, from my own experience, college didn't really prepare me for my professional career. Everything I learned to do my jobs I have learned by working at them. So that's how I hire.
Certification is another joke. As an employer, it'll be up to you to do your proper due diligence to get the person for the role.
Certifications are a better alternative for degrees in my opinion. Especially if you're looking for someone who is qualified to do a certain task.
Take IT for example. I dont think i'll hire someone who doesnt have any qualifications what so ever, as opposed to someone who is certified in the field. I currently have 5 certifications under my belt. I got them because I wanted the responsibility (and pay of course) that I could not have gotten if I wasnt certified. I, in return, had to show my employer that I know what i'm doing. The best way to do that on paper, is to take a test on a highly specified subject and get certified. Especially if you dont have 4 years to get a degree and are looking for something you can get within a month.
Are there some certs out there that are jokes? Sure. Just like there are dumb degrees out there.
But I would always advise someone getting into the IT field to go for certifications rather than waste time in college, unless they plan on being some sort of department head for a major multi-million dollar corporation.
The vast majority of certs are a joke because people pass them and then show up to an interview and know nothing.
which is why for technical positions there should be something more akin to apprenticeships. I learned far more having a self-taught netsec guy as a roommate for three years than I did all of university
I guess the point I was trying to make is that every case is going to be different and having certs or degrees is a nothingburger. It will be up to you as the hiring manager to make sure you find what's best for you, regardless of credentials.
I've hired PMs with their PMP and CSM certs who were absolutely horrible. They did things by the book, and the devs hated working with them. I've also worked with engineers who tout their 10 certifications behind their titles, but they aren't able to fully articulate the difference between a DSN and a DNS. Now, the converse is true as well. I've worked with fantastic engineers who did get their certs and who did finish with CS degrees. But the bottom line is that the certs and degrees have never factored in for me.
Honestly, I wish there were more hiring managers like you out there.
My job is allowed to hire people without certs, but they have to be able to obtain them within 90 days as per our contract. So there's that too. If they know their shit, a cert shouldn't be hard to get, in my opinion.
That's a kind compliment. Thank you. :)
Truth is, from my own experience, college didn't really prepare me for my professional career. Everything I learned to do my jobs I have learned by working at them. So that's how I hire.