Which Certifications Really Matter for Software Engineers?

While nothing beats solid professional experience, in many circumstances obtaining professional certification can make the difference between landing a job or missing the opportunity to interview for it at all. Many experts believe that the sure-fire way for a software engineer to advance his or her IT career is by getting certified.  Whatever industry you choose to work in, you may find that your best chance of career advancement is when your knowledge and skills are validated through carefully chosen certifications. Certification for Computer Software Engineers Companies such as IBM and Cisco offer IT certification programs that computer software engineers can use to round out their specific skill-sets.  Specialized certifications are not a substitute for formal, higher education, or hands-on experience in the field, but they can help computer software engineers become familiar with particular programs and hardware.  They also give you the opportunity to add in-demand skills to your professional profile. Examples of certifications that offer additional skills development for systems software engineers include IEEE’s Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) and the range of certifications offered by the Carnegie Mellon Software Engineering Institute, including process improvement, computer security and resilience management.  Vendors such as Apple, Microsoft and IBM also offer credentials. Do Certifications Matter? Getting one or two certifications will show you’re capable of learning, but several under your belt will show employers that you’re committed to a career path.  As you move up the certification ladder, they’ll become more valuable and will prove:

• You’re knowledgeable about the industry’s best practices
• You’ve worked in the field
• You’ve retained knowledge (especially with certificates that require renewal)
• The Most Valuable Certifications

It might be argued that all certifications are of value, as even the low-level ones act as the building blocks of a better career, but it’s the higher-level, position-specific, ones that are the most valuable.  For certain positions, most companies won’t even consider a candidate who doesn’t hold a high-level certification. They want security professionals who have a CISSP and project managers with a PMP, so if you don’t have one, it’s unlikely you’ll land the position. So, what’s the best plan for you?  Start with certifications that matter for your specific career and then train up from there.  If you’re just getting started, consider the base-level CompTIA certifications.  From there, move on to entry-level certifications from Apple and Microsoft.  And if your interests lie in networking technologies, Cisco’s program is considered an industry standard.  If Linux systems administration is your field, take a look at Red Hat’s certification program.  If your chosen career doesn’t involve technology, it’s likely there’s a series of certification programs for you, as well.