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Ask HN: Software Engineer Certifications That Mean Something?

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Re: Ask HN: Software Engineer Certifications That Mean Something?

#21
post #3

I’m sure there are plenty of useful things to be learned from a certification program, but beyond a certain skill level, they are meaningless on a resume. Actually, at a high level role I’d view it as a negative - it reads like a lack of demonstrable skills.

> beyond a certain skill level, they are meaningless on a resume why not create a certificate that is prestige, even for experienced developers? Maybe it would deprecate the ridiculous leetcode interview process. The software engineer industry needs the equivalent of CFA (in finance). That means something.

Well it's not for lack of trying (e.g https://www.computer.org/education/courses) but I think there is a bit of a chicken and egg problem in that it's hard to prove to employers that your certificate means anything and it's a hard sell for engineers if they don't see it being recognized by employers. Also, I think it's probably too close to licensing which engineers overall seem to be very much against.

Re: Ask HN: Software Engineer Certifications That Mean Something?

#24

It's hard to say how it'll sell, but I do self-directed learning and research, and document it on Github. As a senior dev I feel like self-directed learning of what I need, and no more, is a better look. A number of years ago I did do a certification on project management from Coursera, which is a good look. Your software related experience should speak for itself, but tangential certifications like project managemen…

I'd love to see an example of how you document your learning on Github.

Re: Ask HN: Software Engineer Certifications That Mean Something?

#25
post #19

While not a certification, I find my Amateur Radio License to be one of my most valuable credentials besides my degrees. 1. This credential actually gives you a huge amount of privilege to use restricted radio spectra. 2. It teaches you a lot about how software, hardware, and wireless come together. 3. It's great for emergencies. 4. Opens up a lot of homebrew and DIY skill-sets for projects relating to IoT and smart…

I enjoy amateur radio too. I don't feel it's value for a software dev, especially in terms of interviews/resumes. Unless maybe you're working on radio related things.

Re: Ask HN: Software Engineer Certifications That Mean Something?

#26
post #3

I’m sure there are plenty of useful things to be learned from a certification program, but beyond a certain skill level, they are meaningless on a resume. Actually, at a high level role I’d view it as a negative - it reads like a lack of demonstrable skills.

> beyond a certain skill level, they are meaningless on a resume why not create a certificate that is prestige, even for experienced developers? Maybe it would deprecate the ridiculous leetcode interview process. The software engineer industry needs the equivalent of CFA (in finance). That means something.

We had one. For a brief period of time there was an actual proper PE exam for the software engineering industry.

https://ncees.org/exams/pe-exam/

https://ncees.org/ncees-discontinuing-pe-software-engineerin...

Re: Ask HN: Software Engineer Certifications That Mean Something?

#27
IMO the AWS certifications(and maybe other clouds equivalents) are the only certifications that mean something other than full university degrees. The software industry is not big on certifications and prefers people to prove their skills by using them.

Re: Ask HN: Software Engineer Certifications That Mean Something?

#28
If it's just to add one more skill to your resume, then it's obviously unnecessary, unless the company you're applying to explicitly states the need for this certificate; besides, I believe creating a software to showcase your abilities and ideas is more meaningful. It allows others to see what you have done more directly, and to see your value.
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