is it worth getting certified?

[Bob Pettit]

Is it really worth getting certified ?? wouldn't your experience speak for you? and also technology is changing so fast so even if you get certified today and a new version comes out in 6 months your certification is worth almost nothing?
Can somebody please tell me if I should do it?

[Bert Bates]

Hey Bob,

This question has been asked and discussed many times here at the ranch You can use the search function to track down old discussions, but in the meantime I'll share with you one of my favorite reasons for getting certified:

When I was studying for my SCJP I learned cool, useful stuff that I never would have learned otherwise. I don't know about you, but without that kind of external push, I tend to learn just enough to do stuff I need to do, and I probably miss out on better ways. I truly feel I'm a better programmer now than before I got my SCJP, and the Sun certifications have gotten more and more "real world" lately - they used to be kind of trivia tests.

- Bert

[Subhash Bhushan C]

I agree with Bert.
My perception is that, we get the best out of ourselves and we give out our best, when we have either goals to achieve or when we are faced with challenging situations. Certifications provide you with both.

After being with Java for 3 years, I was simply amazed at the extent of stuff that I was not aware of in Java, when I recently started preparing for my SCJP. I do not know about the extent of validity of these certifications in this market, but they provide a fertile ground for me to know my own worth.

[Jagan Jakilinki]

Well said Agni. I agree with you and Bert
[ February 28, 2005: Message edited by: Jagan Jakilinki ]

[Tong Chen]

If you think it is worth getting certied, then it is. Otherwise it is not!