In today’s incredibly volatile tech industry, the idea of investing time and effort in getting technical certifications may seem daunting. After all, the process can be time-consuming and the curricula may be vendor-specific, turning off otherwise enthusiastic engineers who would rather focus their time and energy elsewhere.

However, technical certifications can be a powerful tool for career advancement and gaining expertise in specific areas. For those looking to break into the tech industry or make significant strides in their current roles, investing in technical certifications can be an excellent business decision for their career trajectory.

It’s a Business Decision

Although certifications may not equate to instant expert status to other engineers, they DO matter to the real decision-makers in organizations. Many recruiters, managers, and leadership roles are filled with non-technical individuals who need a way to assess an engineer’s qualifications. In lieu of being able to verify technical merit during interviews, many of these individuals will look to certifications instead. In short, certifications matter to the people who hire and fire, so they matter to you too.

certifications matter to the people who hire and fire, so they matter to you too.

Obtaining certifications gives recruiters an easier way to find talent, allows managers to boast about their qualified teams, and enables company leadership to become accredited service partners for popular industry technologies. It’s a win-win.

It’s a Personal Investment

A technologist’s most valuable soft skill is the ability to learn. While this skill is incredibly hard to quantify, certifications can serve as a proxy for showing a commitment to learning and investing in one’s skills. They demonstrate the ability to be an independent learner who can manage their own time, resources, and responsibilities.

In a tech industry where keeping up with the latest technology is a never-ending task, targeting specific certifications can provide a tangible structure and end-goal to a learning endeavor. Especially for those early in their career, certifications can help guide your learning path and distinguish you and your skills from the masses.

How to Get Started

Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to stand out in a competitive market or a newcomer seeking to break into the tech industry, obtaining certifications can be a smart business decision for your future. If you’re considering pursuing technical certifications but aren’t sure where to start, we provide resources available to help guide you on your journey.

For those looking for an entry-level cert to get their hands dirty in DevOps, I recommend the Hashicorp Certified: Terraform Associate. Here’s a video guide from us:

For those with a bit more experience with container orchestration, here’s a guide to acing the CKA (Certified Kubernetes Administrator):

Today’s tech certifications mean so little and so much depending on who you ask. Hopefully this article helps you as an engineer and technologist understand why you should still care and consider taking the time to invest.

So, let us know about your experiences with certifications and how they’ve helped or changed your career. We’ve heard a lot of good things from the community and would love to hear from you too!