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Is it worth getting a certification if I'm going to get a degree in Computer Science?

J

JonTheBaller

Golden Member
I'm going to graduate next year from University of Maryland undergrad with a degree in computer science. This summer however, I have some free time. Is there any purpose for me to look into getting a certification? Will any company care that I have a certification? Obviously I am getting a degree, which speaks volumes more than a single certification does, but I feel that a certification is more applicable in the real world in certain situations. So back to my question... is it worth it for me to get a certification, and if so, which one?
 
Every advantage you have over another applicant is worth it. Ideally you'll have a degree, work experience and certification in the area you want to work in.
 
Around how much do the tests cost? Also, what are the best certification books? And which certification tests are recommended? Should I look at taking a broad test, or should I look at more focused certifications?
 
i think your time is better spent in an internship, taking classes, working on your own project (takes dedication) or doing research
 
Is there a guide to the different certification tracks? Also can anyone recommend the most common certifications, and the best books for those?
 
Get experience. Experience will weight a whole lot more than certifications. Volunteer for projects if you have too.


Chang
 
I'm not meaning to be snippy here, but, (let me know if I got this wrong...)

You want to be a Certified Specialist or Expert, but you don't know enough about the field to know WHAT you want to be a Certified Specialist or Expert on?

Join the military; they're good at helping you find out what you wanna be, and you'll have some experience under your belt to boot when you get out.

Good Luck,

Scott

 
Don't most CS programs offer free certifications or discounts in certifications, and encourage the students to get them?
 
Originally posted by: ScottMac
I'm not meaning to be snippy here, but, (let me know if I got this wrong...)

You want to be a Certified Specialist or Expert, but you don't know enough about the field to know WHAT you want to be a Certified Specialist or Expert on?

Join the military; they're good at helping you find out what you wanna be, and you'll have some experience under your belt to boot when you get out.

Good Luck,

Scott
Click to expand...

Well I'm honestly not sure what I want to focus on when I get out, though I am mainly interested in programming/software development. If that's the case, what certifications should I be looking at?
 
Originally posted by: johnnytightlips
Originally posted by: ScottMac
I'm not meaning to be snippy here, but, (let me know if I got this wrong...)

You want to be a Certified Specialist or Expert, but you don't know enough about the field to know WHAT you want to be a Certified Specialist or Expert on?

Join the military; they're good at helping you find out what you wanna be, and you'll have some experience under your belt to boot when you get out.

Good Luck,

Scott
Click to expand...

Well I'm honestly not sure what I want to focus on when I get out, though I am mainly interested in programming/software development. If that's the case, what certifications should I be looking at?
Click to expand...

Your degree. Most of the certifications people get are in networking and hardware troubleshooting. You just can't learn to develop software from 2 books or a 6 week course, that's why they offer four year degrees in it.

 
doesn't MS have a Microsoft Certfied Solutions Developer (or is it Applications Developer) certification track? I was looking into it as I graduated with a degree in Computer Engineering but then realized I didn't want to write code for a living.

Good luck
 
Originally posted by: gopunk
i think your time is better spent in an internship, taking classes, working on your own project (takes dedication) or doing research
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more.

-geoff

 
Your degree. Most of the certifications people get are in networking and hardware troubleshooting. You just can't learn to develop software from 2 books or a 6 week course, that's why they offer four year degrees in it.
Click to expand...

believe me you can learn anything in 6 weeks.
 
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