Before we start to talk about the relative merits of degrees and certification, we should perhaps make something clear. University and college education does a great deal more than a certification program ever can. It provides the opportunity to develop written and verbal communcation skills, as well as providing an in-depth education on the chosen subject. It teaches organizational skills, as well as providing the chance to develop interpersonal skills. Certification is a very different animal. Certification is designed to teach you a single subject to a certain depth. In many cases, certification presumes a given level of knowledge about a subject, or at least of technology generally. It offers nothing in the way of coaching in any of ther personal skills such as communication or organization.
How Do They Match Up?
So why, if a college education offers so much, are we discussing certification as a means of getting into IT? The reality is that many people do not have the time, the money, or the background to embark on a lengthy academic program. Certification provides a way for people to enter the IT industry on their own terms and in their own time. The good thing is that employers seem willing to recognize certifications as proof of a persons knowledge, so much so that college graduates often find themselves seeking certification to add a degree of tangability to their skills. In a way, this approach is the ultimate. To have a degree and a certification makes an individual valuable indeed. Our last note on this subject is this: Certifications work, and so do degrees and diplomas. What you have to ask your yourself is which one are you most suited to. In the sections that follow, we discuss some advantages and disadvantages of both.
Advantages of Certifications
Becoming certified has a number of advantages. Here are just a few:
- Certifications programs offer short, focused learning. Although the longer degree program may include information on areas such as networking as part of the overall program, certification programs isolate networking as a single technology, giving you the training required to be employed as a network support technician.
- Certification programs are directly related to a technology and to commercial practices. Employers have a way of knowing exactly what your knowledge of a given area should be.
- Even though the initial cost of certification programs seems quite high, over the long run they prove their financial worth over degree programs. When in a training program, either a degree program or a certification program, you are not likely earning the money you could be. This type of focused training gets you out looking for work in the shortest possible time. The quicker you are working, the quicker you are earning.
- Training methods for certification programs vary greatly. From CBTs and WBT to self-study and full classroom attendance, certification training is available in every possible format. Training options are essential for students requiring flexibility in their training.
Certification programs may be the flavor of the month, but they are not without their drawbacks. Here are some of the things you should consider before embarking on a certification program:
- The initial costs of certification programs are high. Keep in mind that this money is going to pay for cutting edge equipment, experienced instructors, and the most recent courseware. Just remind yourself of that when it comes time to pay.
- Certifications require ongoing upgrading. As new products, programs, and hardware are introduced, certification programs are modified to reflect these changes. All this really means is that the training is always there; sometime soon you will need to take another exam.
- Degree or diploma programs often offer training in such areas as programming, but also include information on a variety of other areas as well. Certification programs generally do not. When pursuing certification training as a programmer, that is the training you will receive.
- Degrees such as computer science, offer in-depth knowledge on a broad range of materials. When on the job, degree programs can prepare for the job itself as well as other aspects of the job that certification programs simply do not have the time to cover. The broad knowledge that degree programs give can make your job easier and make you a better employee.
- After students earn degrees, they always have the degrees. The same cannot be said of certification programs. A student who has a computer science degree is not required to take another exam to keep those qualifications. Those with IT certifications can just look on with envy.
- Completion of a degree program can open doors not available to those with certifications. Some positions, and some companies, insist on a college degree from applicants. Many companies also run graduate intake programs that as the name implies, are only open to college degree holders.
Disadvantages of Degrees
- Perhaps the biggest disadvantage of seeking a degree is the time involved in getting it. Four years of training and out of the labor market is a long time, especially considering that certification graduates are already out there looking for work.
- The duration of the course, and the fact that your chosen institution may be in another city, state, or country can make things such as accommodation or travel expensive. Although the experience of studying away will almost certainly be interesting, finances may be the bottom line.
- Unlike certifications, the knowledge used to obtain a degree from a college may become redundant after a period of time. Graduates may find themselves looking for other ways to prove their up-to-date knowledge.
