Certification: Is it worth your time?

Getting certified can raise your salary, increase your responsibility, and make your IT job more satisfying.

By Anne Martinez

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What certification can and can't do:

Certification is:

A tool that people successfully use to challenge themselves

A road map for continuing education

A way to put the marketing power of corporations and professional organizations behind you

A potential bridge to a new specialty

Evidence that you are self-motivated and actively working to stay current

A credential desired or required by an increasing number of employers. Read the technical help-wanted advertisements to see for yourself.

Certification isn't:

A career cure-all

A substitute for extensive hands-on experience

A free ride

Certification means you've completed the steps required to receive a particular designation. One can become "certified" simply by paying a particular membership fee or attending the required seminar, but such certifications are usually a waste of time and money.

Fortunately, more and more certifications now mean something. These designations demonstrate to your employer and clients that you are indeed an expert in a particular area, and that a reputable, recognizable organization will attest to that.

Virtually any IT professional can gain something by pursuing a well-chosen certification, while most will reap many benefits. The payoffs may come in a salary increase, better job, improved confidence or additional skills. Course work often includes hands-on exercises with up-to-the-minute software and equipment. Learning new technology will always benefit you.

Certified individuals also earn more than their noncertified counterparts, according to several studies, including International Data Corp.'s Benefits & Productivity Gains Realized through IT Certification. A 1998 survey by Lotus Development Corp. showed that 64% of Certified Lotus Professionals saw an average 30% salary increase within six months of their certification, boosting their annual salary from $54,000 to $70,000. A recent Microsoft Corp. study, Financial Benefits to Supporters of Microsoft Certification, reported that companies pay 12% more to certified workers. In each of those studies, as well as another by Novell Corp., employers also said certified workers are more productive. This is often attributed to reduced downtime and faster resolution of support incidents.

Numbers tell the story

Companies are increasingly offering certification training as an employee benefit. For example, a full 62% of the respondents to a July MCP Magazine survey (which is not owned or published by Microsoft) stated that their firm had provided some financial support. Half of the respondents said their employers footed the entire bill, while 12% said they had shared the expense. The remainder reported paying for their own training. The survey was MCP's fourth annual salary review of professionals who have obtained or are in the process of obtaining one of the Microsoft Certified Professional designations.

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