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Ask HN: Any certification that is worth it? Legitimately helped your career?

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Re: Ask HN: Any certification that is worth it? Legitimately helped your career?

#151

Post by MaxBarraclough »

phpisthebest wrote: post #136
MaxBarraclough wrote: post #131

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Work experience can convey that same level of knowledge What kind of work experience would give you the breadth and depth of knowledge of someone with a degree in maths or physics? Having a career in software development does not demonstrate a degree-level knowledge of any academic field.

Having a career in software development, does not demonstrate a degree-level knowledge of software development degree, really?

A software engineering degree is an academic degree, not a vocational certificate.

Look at this syllabus for a 4-year degree in software engineering. [0] It's broadly similar to what we'd expect of a computer science degree. Topics include:

• Computer architecture

• Compilers

• Computer graphics

• Cryptography

• Deep learning

• Software verification

The average self-taught web developer has a working knowledge of none of these fields.

[0] https://www.imperial.ac.uk/study/ug/courses/computing-depart...

Re: Ask HN: Any certification that is worth it? Legitimately helped your career?

#153

Post by devoutsalsa »

pilsetnieks wrote: post #47
devoutsalsa wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Study almond growing to become certifiably nuts.

Though almonds are technically seeds, not nuts.

I reckon you are the kind of person that would put tomatoes in a fruit salad XD

Re: Ask HN: Any certification that is worth it? Legitimately helped your career?

#154

Post by magicalhippo »

devoutsalsa wrote: post #30
robcohen wrote: post #11

I collect a lot of certs for fun, but most have not been helpful. I still like to collect them anyway. I think OSCP was the most legitimately useful in tech https://www.offensive-security.com/pwk-oscp/ PMP has been useful to take on Project Manager roles, but really PrM roles aren't all that exciting to begin with. Still helps when you want to run your own projects. I'm currently studying to be a certified parliament…

Study almond growing to become certifiably nuts.

Or get a masters degree in cosmology so you can put "Master of the Universe" on your CV.

Re: Ask HN: Any certification that is worth it? Legitimately helped your career?

#155

Post by chelmzy »

I don't have any despite studying the material for a lot of them. I hate the entire cert industry and actively discourage it. It hasn't hindered me yet with my career path. Although, I'm pretty open with employers that I don't believe in certs and will never get one. I will however study the material they produce if its worthwhile.

Re: Ask HN: Any certification that is worth it? Legitimately helped your career?

#156

Post by dorchadas »

robcohen wrote: post #11

I collect a lot of certs for fun, but most have not been helpful. I still like to collect them anyway. I think OSCP was the most legitimately useful in tech https://www.offensive-security.com/pwk-oscp/ PMP has been useful to take on Project Manager roles, but really PrM roles aren't all that exciting to begin with. Still helps when you want to run your own projects. I'm currently studying to be a certified parliament…

Look at some CEFR ones next!

Re: Ask HN: Any certification that is worth it? Legitimately helped your career?

#157

Post by robcohen »

netaustin wrote: post #66
robcohen wrote: post #11

I collect a lot of certs for fun, but most have not been helpful. I still like to collect them anyway. I think OSCP was the most legitimately useful in tech https://www.offensive-security.com/pwk-oscp/ PMP has been useful to take on Project Manager roles, but really PrM roles aren't all that exciting to begin with. Still helps when you want to run your own projects. I'm currently studying to be a certified parliament…

As far as I know, CPA in most states requires 150 hours of college credit, of which many must be in accounting. My CPA friends largely joined the big four firm on the strength of their CPA, spent a little time in audit, then promptly switched to consulting. What you get from that certification is the ability to sign corporate audits, own an accounting firm, and the right to prepare and defend tax returns. Unless you…

Correct. I'll need to take classes. I found an online masters in accounting that's AACSB accredited https://onlinemsa.illinois.edu/

I'll knock that out then take the charter exam, if I pass then I'll consider doing part time work as an accountant for two years to get the hours.

Re: Ask HN: Any certification that is worth it? Legitimately helped your career?

#158

Post by robcohen »

akudha wrote: post #43
robcohen wrote: post #11

I collect a lot of certs for fun, but most have not been helpful. I still like to collect them anyway. I think OSCP was the most legitimately useful in tech https://www.offensive-security.com/pwk-oscp/ PMP has been useful to take on Project Manager roles, but really PrM roles aren't all that exciting to begin with. Still helps when you want to run your own projects. I'm currently studying to be a certified parliament…

Wow, that is quite a collection. What kind of work do you do? One thing I am wondering is how much these certificates cost. For example, quickly glancing through your OSCP link says the minimum is $1499, it is not cheap! Thank you for mentioning NAP, I didn't know this was a thing (I suspect most people don't) Fun certs - I did this last year https://www.pearsonpte.com/ and thoroughly enjoyed it. Unlike many tech cer…

I worked as a product manager in crypto for awhile, but now I just hack on my own projects.

Re: Ask HN: Any certification that is worth it? Legitimately helped your career?

#160

Post by robcohen »

eddyschai wrote: post #132
robcohen wrote: post #11

I collect a lot of certs for fun, but most have not been helpful. I still like to collect them anyway. I think OSCP was the most legitimately useful in tech https://www.offensive-security.com/pwk-oscp/ PMP has been useful to take on Project Manager roles, but really PrM roles aren't all that exciting to begin with. Still helps when you want to run your own projects. I'm currently studying to be a certified parliament…

I read this and thought, damn he sounds a lot like a PM I used to work with at IO. Then I saw the username ;) Hope you're doing well man - Ed

Hi Ed! Hope you're still kicking ass! I'll reach out!
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