Constructing a profession as a software program developer might be precious, however is usually a aggressive discipline to interrupt into, particularly in 2024 when over 130,000 layoffs have occurred at tech corporations 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 abilities which can be related to their profession. A certification affords a possibility for builders to point out others that they’ve a specific ability; It’s one factor to record 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 happy 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 absolutely essential 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 in the course of the hiring course of. Sauthier mentioned the CNCF has carried out a survey wanting into the influence of certifications as nicely, and has additionally seen that individuals who receive them typically 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 method for folks to be extra acknowledged for what they know, and likewise to often get higher pay. And once I say lots of people get higher pay, it was about one third of the individuals who answered our survey who mentioned that that they had 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 mean $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 finest 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 could allow somebody to get used to what it means to take a certification.
Then, it’d make sense to maneuver onto extra superior certifications. As an example, the CNCF’s Licensed Kubernetes Safety Specialist (CKS) certification is “fairly powerful”, he mentioned. Nonetheless, its issue is what appeals to folks.
“Individuals are actually attracted by it as a result of it actually proves one thing,” he mentioned. “You could really clear up actual issues to have the ability to cross it. So we provide you with an atmosphere and we inform you, ‘okay, there’s this situation,’ 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. “After I’m wanting on the numerous certifications, I’m extra keen on one thing which is broadly adopted and which isn’t opinionated,” he mentioned. Having it not be opinionated, or not tied to a selected vendor, will be sure that the abilities are extra simply transferable.
“Many distributors from our group are constructing their bricks on prime of the nice mission we’ve got 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 varied merchandise which have been created by the distributors,” he mentioned.
He went on to clarify how this informs the CNCF’s means of certification improvement. He mentioned that every query is permitted by a minimum of two folks, which ensures that there’s broad settlement.
“That’s one thing that’s actually essential so that you’re certain 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 group,” he mentioned. “That’s actually one thing essential for us. We don’t need you to be vendor locked with the data you’ve got whenever you take one among a certification. In order that’s actually crucial factor for me, and never the issue of the certification itself.”
The CNCF just lately 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.