Constructing a profession as a software program developer could be invaluable, however could be a aggressive area to interrupt into, particularly in 2024 when over 130,000 layoffs have occurred at tech firms already. Whereas not all 130,000 could have been software program engineers, they haven’t been immune from the cuts.
A technique builders can set themselves up for higher alternatives is to pursue certifications for abilities which might be related to their profession. A certification affords a chance for builders to point out others that they’ve a selected talent; It’s one factor to checklist Kubernetes as a core competency on their resume, and one other to say they’ve handed the certification examination for one of many CNCF’s Kubernetes certifications.
“Individuals are actually completely satisfied by taking a certification, as a result of it’s the validation of some data,” mentioned Christophe Sauthier, head of CNCF certifications and trainings, in a current episode of our What the Dev? podcast. “It’s one thing that we really feel is basically essential as a result of anyone can say that they know one thing, however proving that normally makes an actual distinction.”
A 2023 CompTIA report discovered that 80% of US HR professionals surveyed relied on technical certifications throughout the hiring course of. Sauthier mentioned the CNCF has carried out a survey trying into the impression of certifications as nicely, and has additionally seen that individuals who get hold of them usually profit.
“Greater than half the individuals who answered the survey mentioned that taking some coaching or certification helped them get a brand new job,” mentioned Sauthier. “It’s a approach for individuals to be extra acknowledged for what they know, and in addition to normally get higher pay. And after I say lots of people get higher pay, it was about one third of the individuals who answered our survey who mentioned that they’d a better pay due to taking coaching or certifications.”
One other survey from CompTIA in 2022 confirmed that IT professionals that obtained a brand new certification noticed a median $13,000 enhance in wage.
Easy methods to choose a certification
With a view to see these advantages, it’s essential for anybody pursuing a certification to consider which one will greatest go well with their wants, as a result of they arrive in all sizes and styles.
Sauthier says he recommends beginning with an entry-level certification first, as this may allow somebody to get used to what it means to take a certification.
Then, it would make sense to maneuver onto extra superior certifications. As an illustration, the CNCF’s Licensed Kubernetes Safety Specialist (CKS) certification is “fairly powerful”, he mentioned. Nonetheless, its issue is what appeals to individuals.
“Individuals are actually attracted by it as a result of it actually proves one thing,” he mentioned. “It is advisable to truly clear up actual issues to have the ability to cross it. So we offer you an setting and we let you know, ‘okay, there’s this situation,’ or ‘please implement that,’ and we’re then evaluating what you probably did.”
Sauthier did word that issue alone shouldn’t be a deciding issue. “Once I’m trying on the varied certifications, I’m extra serious about one thing which is extensively adopted and which isn’t opinionated,” he mentioned. Having it not be opinionated, or not tied to a selected vendor, will make sure that the talents are extra simply transferable.
“Many distributors from our group are constructing their bricks on prime of the good venture we now have throughout the CNCF, however the certifications we’re designing are concentrating on these bricks so it is possible for you to to reuse that data on the assorted merchandise which were created by the distributors,” he mentioned.
He went on to elucidate how this informs the CNCF’s technique of certification improvement. He mentioned that every query is permitted by a minimum of two individuals, which ensures that there’s huge settlement.
“That’s one thing that’s actually essential so that you’re certain if you’re taking a certification from us that the data that you’ll validate is one thing that it is possible for you to to make use of with many distributors and lots of merchandise over our complete group,” he mentioned. “That’s actually one thing essential for us. We don’t need you to be vendor locked with the data you might have if you take one among a certification. In order that’s actually a very powerful factor for me, and never the issue of the certification itself.”
The CNCF lately took its certification program a step additional by introducing Kubestronaut, an achievement individuals can get for finishing all 5 of its Kubernetes certifications. At the moment, there are 788 Kubestronauts, who get added advantages like a personal Slack channel, coupons for different CNCF certifications, and a reduction on CNCF occasions, like KubeCon.
