Constructing a profession as a software program developer could be worthwhile, however generally is 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 might 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 abilities which can be related to their profession. A certification affords a chance for builders to indicate others that they’ve a selected 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 glad by taking a certification, as a result of it’s the validation of some information,” stated 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 absolutely necessary 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 through the hiring course of. Sauthier stated the CNCF has carried out a survey wanting into the impression of certifications as effectively, 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 approach for folks to be extra acknowledged for what they know, and likewise 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 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 median $13,000 enhance in wage.
Learn how to choose a certification
With a purpose to see these advantages, it’s necessary for anybody pursuing a certification to consider which one will finest swimsuit their wants, as a result of they arrive in all sizes and shapes.
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. For example, the CNCF’s Licensed Kubernetes Safety Specialist (CKS) certification is “fairly robust”, he stated. Nevertheless, its issue is what appeals to folks.
“Persons are actually attracted by it as a result of it actually proves one thing,” he stated. “It is advisable truly remedy actual issues to have the ability to cross it. So we provide you with an setting and we let you know, ‘okay, there’s this difficulty,’ or ‘please implement that,’ and we’re then evaluating what you probably did.”
Sauthier did be aware that issue alone shouldn’t be a deciding issue. “Once I’m wanting on the varied certifications, I’m extra inquisitive about taking a look at one thing which is extensively adopted and which isn’t opinionated,” he stated. Having it not be opinionated, or not tied to a particular vendor, will make sure that the abilities are extra simply transferable.
“Many distributors from our neighborhood are constructing their bricks on prime of the nice challenge we’ve inside the CNCF, however the certifications we’re designing are concentrating on these bricks so it is possible for you to to reuse that information on the assorted merchandise which were created by the distributors,” he stated.
He went on to clarify how this informs the CNCF’s means of certification growth. He stated that every query is permitted by at the least two folks, which ensures that there’s extensive settlement.
“That’s one thing that’s actually necessary so that you’re positive while you’re taking a certification from us that the information that you’ll validate is one thing that it is possible for you to to make use of with many distributors and plenty of merchandise over our entire neighborhood,” he stated. “That’s actually one thing necessary for us. We don’t need you to be vendor locked with the information you may have while you take one in all 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. At present, 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.