Should people go for Industry Certifications - Complimenting Degree with Certs

[bjcheung77]

Hello,

Just looking for some feedback or views on this topic.
I've always had a curiosity of how others would feel in regards to this, getting industry certifications instead of or to complement a second degree in another AOS.

For example: I'm going for a TESU BSBA degree and wish to obtain Industry Certifications for Six Sigma/Scrum, etc. I also want to obtain a second degree in WGU BSIT and get Industry Certifications for those such as CISSP, CEH, etc.

I'm very much into Business, but my work is pretty much all IT related. While I'm chipping away at my BSBA, I'd like to get some Certs as well.
I'm thinking when I finish my BSBA, I'll move onto the Patten MBA IT. For WGU BSIT, I'm wanting to go for a WGU MSCIA after that.

Thanks, bjcheung77

[soliloquy]

Hello,

Just looking for some feedback or views on this topic.
I've always had a curiosity of how others would feel in regards to this, getting industry certifications instead of or to complement a second degree in another AOS.

For example: I'm going for a TESU BSBA degree and wish to obtain Industry Certifications for Six Sigma/Scrum, etc. I also want to obtain a second degree in WGU BSIT and get Industry Certifications for those such as CISSP, CEH, etc.

I'm very much into Business, but my work is pretty much all IT related. While I'm chipping away at my BSBA, I'd like to get some Certs as well.
I'm thinking when I finish my BSBA, I'll move onto the Patten MBA IT. For WGU BSIT, I'm wanting to go for a WGU MSCIA after that.

Thanks, bjcheung77

I think it depends on the industry. I have paralegal certifications but they are not 1-day-read-some-material-and-pass-a-test affairs. The certifications I have obtained have been around for a decade or more and one of them has been around longer than I have. I think you have to really look at the quality of the organization offering the certification to determine if it's worth anything. I see CSM's all the time. The fact that I can pay $1000.00 and go to a one day seminar where I can then take a test and become a SCRUM master is sketchy to me. It took me 18 months to complete a MS and I am still learning about project management so I have a hard time believing that you can study a methodology in a few hours and have the knowledge it takes to apply what you have learned.

I think certs are great as long as you do your research and figure out what works.

By the way I'm not trying to be nitpicky but I see people mix up compliment and complement all the time. Since people frequently use it on resumes and cover letters, if that was not an accidental misspelling, you should know they are different.

[dfrecore]

By the way I'm not trying to be nitpicky but I see people mix up compliment and complement all the time. Since people frequently use it on resumes and cover letters, if that was not an accidental misspelling, you should know they are different.

20 lashes with a wet noodle...

[ajs1976]

For example: I'm going for a TESU BSBA degree and wish to obtain Industry Certifications for Six Sigma/Scrum, etc. I also want to obtain a second degree in WGU BSIT and get Industry Certifications for those such as CISSP, CEH, etc.

I'm very much into Business, but my work is pretty much all IT related. While I'm chipping away at my BSBA, I'd like to get some Certs as well.
I'm thinking when I finish my BSBA, I'll move onto the Patten MBA IT. For WGU BSIT, I'm wanting to go for a WGU MSCIA after that.

With a BSBA, MBA IT, and CISSP, I would skip BSIT and go straight to the MSCIA. I have been considering something similar, but I can't justify the effort and expense of the 2nd bachelors. I don't see enough ROI there.

[bjcheung77]

20 lashes with a wet noodle...

hilarious. I am typing on an iPad mini, and sometimes the iPad does the spelling for me. I used the correct word in the body of the thread. I wonder how I can change the title. It's not the first time this happened.

[soliloquy]

20 lashes with a wet noodle...

I'm not combative. I'm sure if you follow my posts, you know that to be true. There are people who don't know the difference. We are here to learn, after all.

[dfrecore]

I'm not combative. I'm sure if you follow my posts, you know that to be true. There are people who don't know the difference. We are here to learn, after all.

I was going to say something, but then decided not to, but I couldn't delete the post. So I decided to make it a funny one instead.

[bjcheung77]

Thanks everyone for your feedback, it's much appreciated.
I do research/study before I decide on taking courses and exams, as I would like to complete tasks and goals with the least obstacles.
But life gets in the way sometimes, and my mind wonders, otherwise - life is good, I'm on track to where I want to be.

I think earning certs is a good way to booster my resume & CV, I can make modifications and add/remove if needed.
Basically, I think I'm lacking in the "process/project management" department and therefore, seeking certifications to "make up" the void.
Further to that, I believe it would be beneficial for extra courses/certs in the field I currently work in (IT).

[Leedeedee]

I know in the UK Prince2 (Foundation or Practitioner) is the go to initial qualification for project management for most IT people. Although Agile and others are trendy in IT project Management circles, Prince2 is kind of the fundamental qualification most IT professionals need to have. It's one of those tick in the box certifications and definitely worth it here, though I don't know if it has the same impact in the US. I took a 3 day course and passed the end exam, the practitioner was another 2 days on top and foolishly I didn't go for it, have been kicking myself since.

[TrailRunr]

Hmm, I'm already pre-planning what I'd do with the two months of "free" time between when I apply to graduate and actually graduate.
I shouldn't plan that far ahead, but anyways, I like to plan things and work towards those plans until it's actually done...

Completed:
A+
Net+
FEMA PDS Cert
Six Sigma White Belt
Six Sigma Yellow Belt

Up Next (after graduation of BSBA):
Six Sigma Green Belt
Security+
CEH
CISSP
RHCSA

I might go for the free industry certs provided by small IT companies
Hurricane Electric IPv6 Cert
RackSpace Cloud U Cert
Backup Academy - Virtualization Cert

Some part of me wants to finish all the FEMA courses there are for kicks, and maybe apply to COSC for another degree.
Are there any other recommendations? For someone who may have time to complete courses.
Most of these, if not all, don't provide CEU (continuing ed units) or PDU (pro development units)

Please help me expand this list! I'd like to see some recommendations, but want to also keep the costs down.
I maybe interested in the "larger players" out there and go for their Certs, if it's cost effective and a good ROI.

I went back to your original thread and looked at your certs strictly from my point of view as an IT hiring manager.

The A+, Net+, Security+, CEH, RHCSA are not hard to pass. We (folks that hire IT techies) know they are easy to pass. Who are you trying to fool with these certs?

I would rather see RHCE, VCP, CCIE, CCNA, OSCP, CISSP (only if it is a management job or government), and EPIC.

If you currently work for a VAR, consulting, DOD, and government, some of your certs like Sec+ will be useful as HR or sales fodder. But your company would be paying for them. I can't fathom spending your own money on the certs you mentioned. I would recommend you aim a lot higher.

Someone on the other thread said he/she would rather see your experience and your role in enterprise IT projects. I agree. I rather see your IT experience rather than a list of certs.