Python Certifications – Worth It Or A Waste Of Money? 💸🐍

"Is there a way to certify that I'm a Python developer and that I know all of the fundamental frameworks?"

The validity of certifications is a hot topic in the software development world. In this video I'll share some of my thoughts on the matter and talk about my personal experiences with certification.

If you're wondering where you can get a "Python certificate" this will be relevant to your career. What are your thoughts and experiences on software development certifications? Are they worth it or a complete scam? Join the discussion and leave a comment below.

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[margeshpatel]

But certifications helps us to get selected for an interview and then we can showcase our skills

[SandipBajwa]

My 35 years of IT experience says that certifications are a good start as a goal and help you get a job interview. I became CNA in 1990s and then OCP and Lotus Notes, etc etc. Even today if I want to learn something new I go for a certification

[fwhites]

I've been in IT since 1987. Ive been a manger and Sr manger and executive for 22 years. As a hiring manager I can tell you that this young man totally missed the boat on this one. In fact more and more in IT and in other disciplines, traditional college degrees are becoming less of a requirement or desirable asset. As a manger or PM, if I'm putting together a project team I'm looking for those with specific skills who can step into a role and contribute. IT in general has become increasingly specialized and certifications demonstrate a specific expertise. The thought that any institution would make their certification easier counters logic and my experience. The more stringent the requirement the more highly respected the cert. Lastly, take a look around, major universities and colleges are offering certificate and certification studies themselves. Why? The marketplace demands it...period.

[UnknownSendr]

Did he just say no to certs but it would help if you had a bachelor's or master's in computer science ? Just wow.

[soumrock]

If someone wants to switch domains, without a certification, how can he/she get an interview call?

[conspiracywarrior]

I personally feel if you're going to take the time to learn python you might as well get the certification, 2 birds with one stone. you get some guidance and you have another item to add to your resume, at the end of the day it will help seperate your resume out so you will be called on for an interview, the classes within certification will give you confidence to reach out and tackle more projects and will be able to talk about those projects in your interview. "No one gets a drivers license without looking at the drivers manual."

[gengar]

Certification is for you to set yourself apart from other people when it comes to getting a job. I don't quite understand why you recommend a college degree but you don't believe in certification? That doesn't make a whole lot of sense because a college degree is essentially a big certification (and potentially a big waste of money). I will be getting a associates degree at a community college. Due to financial reasons, I cannot afford to go to an actual college for a bachelors degree. So the next step I will take is to learn as much as I can myself and get certified in any languages that I can so I am able to land a job.

[aissalaribi]

From a developer's perspective like you, you're right. But from a recruiter's perspective, if the candidate doesn't have a Computer Science Degree and/or relevant professional experience, he might be better getting a certification. The recruiters don't look at portfolios, they're too lazy for that. The first thing, they look at is experience, then, degrees and certifications.

[kmarsokay]

I have a certification and no college degree - as of yet. And have about 2 years of learning and 3 years of working experience. I have been working alongside those with degrees in the same field making just as much if not more than they did. There are people making over 80k with certifications, and that's not to say this is the only route. Certifications can carry, if not just about the same weight. And I do agree, with his mention on a portfolio (projects, internships, and related experience, etc.) it adds to a candidate just like any other working experience along with that education, whether traditional or non-traditional. You still have the capability to move in the industry with certifications.

[vantrillo]

In general certifications showcase theoretical knowledge, not the experience. When it comes to most tech fields, certifications are useful because they're pose a certain difficulty to obtain. Anyone can learn basic python and use a package to code something up to stick into their portfolio. Some can even plagarize, modify code and claim it as their own. A certification can allow interviewers to gauge you somewhere on a recognized scale compared to other applicants. Both are important, but don't underestimate a certification.

[ibexy]

No one should think certificates are a replacement for experience. People who take certificates dont see it that way either. If you went to university for years just to get a certificate, then what are we talking about here? I really get tired of certificate bashing. Its amazing the great length people go to discourage others.
Certificates are the "manual" of a product. What better way can one demonstrate they know a product except by studying the manual? Of course its not about experience but about showing you do "know" a product.
Certificate exam prep platforms these days do equip you with labs, simulations and loads of knowledge. At least you have "entry level" knowledge after your exams.

[gameANDchange]

Pisses me off that there's hardly no on the job training. They want you to show up amazing.

[ygdgxmg]

The PCEP is not terribly expensive. It will also give you a small advantage over those who don't have it. Even just studying for it will help you improve your knowledge.

[Ramel]

Certs are always valuable in my opinion. Here's something to think about....Let's say Joe Blow got his degree back in 1996. Do you think the information that he was studying back then is valid today?? Certifications are updated based on new information which is why they expire. I'd rather have a guy with a current CCNA working on my network then a guy who had his degree since 2004.

[MananaMan]

I think having a python cert is a good addition to a portfolio
The most important part is showing that you can actually code in some real world sense and the cert shows that you have some form of standardization and didn't just hobble together some education and that you probably know your stuff

[bunbohue]

there are some IT fields that not heavily on coding such as clouds, network or cybersecurity, so I think employers still want to verify that candidates know about of Python for automation scripts. But you are spot on about software development certifications are completely useless, the best certification for that would be your portfolio.

[kevinbacon]

Professional certifications are rarely a waste of time.

[grahambennett]

Dan is a bit off his patch with this one. His Python site and feeds are really, really good, and I'm sure he means well. But be warned - the video gives is one-sided and therefore harmful advice:

1) Certifications evidence a huge amount that experience alone does not: Attitude, humility, perseverance, situational knowledge, legitimacy, objective measures, confidence, a learning target, incentive to learn, a vocabulary, coverage and practice in the key skills, recognition, eligibility for vendor resources, discounts, professional membership, etc., etc., etc.
2) The bottom line is that nothing...nothing can predict how a candidate will get on and perform inside a given environment - your company. Not experience, coding tests, CVs, references, you name it, three-hour interviews, multi-round interviews, homespun proprietary trumped-up programming tests, nothing. We can't predict the future. Certifications are not meant to do that either, so why expect them to?
3) I've see droves of guys come out of new MCSE exams weeping because after years in the job, they had just learned that they did not know all the basics. The things they might at any time be asked for, but hadn't done yet. It works both ways.

If you reckon you have a skill, don't be a wimp - humbly go and get the "ticket" that says so. Why get all bitter and twisted over this?

[rodrigoarancibia]

certifications give you a whole map of a specific topic. Then an employer can verify with your portfolio what's you have done

[hugh]

Certifications can be useful to the individual just learning depending on how tough it is to obtain the certification. A certification program can provide the structure when getting started.

I took all four levels of an O'Reilly Python training program. It was tough to get the certification sign-off at each level. The instructors were strict about my code submissions being clean, and following TDD and OO principles. Some of my projects required resubmitting a dozen times. It's more than a trophy to me. It helped me get my foundation. Other certification programs may not be so rigorous.

If you want to hire a developer who is an ace, certifications don't help. That comes from experience and struggling to build more than exercises. Their proficiency is demonstrated by their code being clean and following SOLID and other principles.