Constructing a profession as a software program developer could be worthwhile, however could be a aggressive discipline 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 method builders can set themselves up for higher alternatives is to pursue certifications for expertise which can be related to their profession. A certification gives a chance for builders to indicate others that they’ve a specific ability; 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.
“Persons are actually completely happy by taking a certification, as a result of it’s the validation of some data,” stated Christophe Sauthier, head of CNCF certifications and trainings, in a latest episode of our What the Dev? podcast. “It’s one thing that we really feel is de facto vital as a result of anyone can say that they know one thing, however proving that often makes an actual distinction.”
A 2023 CompTIA report discovered that 80% of US HR professionals surveyed relied on technical certifications through the hiring course of. Sauthier stated the CNCF has carried out a survey trying into the influence of certifications as properly, and has additionally seen that individuals who acquire them typically profit.
“Greater than half the individuals who answered the survey stated that taking some coaching or certification helped them get a brand new job,” stated Sauthier. “It’s a means for folks to be extra acknowledged for what they know, and in addition to often 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 stated that they’d the next 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 mean $13,000 enhance in wage.
choose a certification
With the intention to see these advantages, it’s vital for anybody pursuing a certification to consider which one will greatest go well with their wants, as a result of they arrive in all styles and sizes.
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 example, the CNCF’s Licensed Kubernetes Safety Specialist (CKS) certification is “fairly powerful”, he stated. Nevertheless, its problem is what appeals to folks.
“Persons are actually attracted by it as a result of it actually proves one thing,” he stated. “It’s worthwhile to truly clear up actual issues to have the ability to cross it. So we provide you with an atmosphere and we let you know, ‘okay, there may be this subject,’ or ‘please implement that,’ and we’re then evaluating what you probably did.”
Sauthier did word that problem alone shouldn’t be a deciding issue. “After I’m trying on the varied certifications, I’m extra keen on taking a look at one thing which is broadly adopted and which isn’t opinionated,” he stated. Having it not be opinionated, or not tied to a particular vendor, will be sure that the talents are extra simply transferable.
“Many distributors from our neighborhood are constructing their bricks on prime of the good undertaking we’ve 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 have been created by the distributors,” he stated.
He went on to clarify how this informs the CNCF’s means of certification improvement. He stated that every query is permitted by at the least two folks, which ensures that there’s large settlement.
“That’s one thing that’s actually vital so that you’re positive whenever 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 neighborhood,” he stated. “That’s actually one thing vital for us. We don’t need you to be vendor locked with the data you’ve gotten whenever you take one in every of a certification. In order that’s actually crucial factor for me, and never the problem of the certification itself.”
The CNCF not too long ago took its certification program a step additional by introducing Kubestronaut, an achievement folks can get for finishing all 5 of its Kubernetes certifications. Presently, 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.
