Certification Poll

[christina>you]

I don't really know a whole lot about the computer field, but from what I've read and from what Duki's told me, the Cisco Certified InterNetworking Expert (CCIE) seems to be the most sought after title from hiring managers.

What do you think?

[sk8ndestroy14]

I'm "other" because I'm not certified for any of that but I wanted to participate anyway. Lol.

[christina>you]

Lol well it's mainly just which do you think employers desire most. =p

[sk8ndestroy14]

I have a friend that is already employed for a job like that and she just graduated from high school this year (yesterday actually). I think she's just certified in a few basic classes at my school like VB and Java.

[Squires]

I'm other, I got parts of those. Currently have A+ Network+, Security+, MCSA, CCNA. Currently working on my MCSE.

[christina>you]

My boyfriend got his MCSE last year when he was only a senior in high school.

[Geek 8-)]

I voted CCIE as well.
And my second choice would be RHCE.
IMHO, if you have these two certifications, you can pretty much write your own paycheck.

[Duki]

CCIE. I hope to attain this one day :)

[Infarction]

I voted CCIE, but it really comes down to experience...

Also, programming certs (like for Java, VB, etc...) are worthless, and A+ are a dime a dozen. CCIE, MCSE, and RHCE (and maybe, just maybe, CCSP) are probably the only ones of any great value on the list.

[joshSCH]

I voted other.. I consider A+ to be the most valuable certification, because it is the only certification that I have :) lol

[dcc]

I believe Infarction is right, certifications will get your foot in the door, but experience is what will get you the better jobs.

[jbennet]

I have no certifications but I have college and high school qualifications in computers hehe

[Ancient Dragon]

None of those certifications are worth the paper they are written on because people can just read the book and pass the tests with no experience. That makes the certifications worthless. Experience is what really counts.

[jbennet]

reackon i could put daniweb down as work experience on my university application? im going for a computer networking degree

[Ancient Dragon]

reackon i could put daniweb down as work experience on my university application? im going for a computer networking degree

You are now an experienced poster, if that counts;)

[pty]

We generally don't hold certs in that high a regard here simply because anyone with a decent memory can pass them.

I have a MCP in SQL Server 2000 Programming but I only have it cos at my last place of work I was given the opportunity to have a week off work, expenses paid and do the training.

If i was a hiring manager I'd be more interested in a good degree and how they come across in an interview; whether or not they can answer my questions on the spot etc.

[joshSCH]

None of those certifications are worth the paper they are written on because people can just read the book and pass the tests with no experience. That makes the certifications worthless. Experience is what really counts.

True, but the tester must know the information if he/she passes the exam.. Some people never take the courses, but learn from experience and can pass the exam easily..

[dcc]

Memorizing and regurgitating information is one thing, being able to apply this information in a practical application is another, and that's where experience comes into play.

As for how you come by this knowledge, I would be more interested in hiring the person who was self taught and pass their certification. The person who learned by their own efforts may not have had the structured curriculum that a class would offer, but from my own experience I know that I have received a much broader education by teaching myself.

There are those that are auto-didactic and will actually do better outside of a structured class.

[christina>you]

Without these certifications, what good are you then?
No employer is going to hire you just because you say you have "good experience" backed up with no certifications.

[Narue]

>Without these certifications, what good are you then?
Just as good as you are without them.

>No employer is going to hire you just because you say you have "good
>experience" backed up with no certifications.
I like to think that I have a bit of experience with this (having conducted quite a few interviews and made hiring decisions), and I'm pretty sure that you're wrong. It all evens out because the losers who think certifications are worth something will be hired by the crappy employers that think certifications mean something. And the superior candidates who let their experience talk are hired by the smart employers that look for superior candidates.

You don't need a certification to define what kind of worker you are.