Certs or no certs – this is the question
“I don’t want to prove anything to anyone anymore.”
This was my conclusion after more than 15 years in the engineering world (or even 30 years if you count experiments and studying alone). It’s been a long journey, starting from the day I was 7 years old and asked my father what a “bit” and a “byte” were. Back then, knowledge was hidden behind language barriers and expensive books. Today, the world has shifted.
The Global Shift Thirty years ago, a University degree was a rare ticket to a better life. Now, access to knowledge is everywhere. You can take a free course from MIT from the comfort of your home. So, does the old paper-ticket still apply?
The Reality of the “Corporate Filter” Based on my observations across three decades, certificates and degrees often act as a filter.
- The Corporate Ladder: In many organizations, you hit a ceiling without an undergraduate or master’s degree. You simply cannot move up without those papers.
- The “Best in Field” Illusion: Companies use these papers to prove to their clients that they have the “best” experts, even if real-world experience tells a different story.
- Women in Tech: For us, the entry point is often even higher. We are expected to have the degree, the solid experience, and “old enough” kids just to get a seat at the table with the same compensation.
So, what is the magic ingredient? What makes you the person someone wants to work with on a complex project for two+ years? It’s not just the framework or the language. It’s trust and consistency.
My Advice: Be Strategic Nothing guarantees a job or a promotion these days. Papers are just a filter. If you want to pass a specific corporate filter – pursue the certificate. But if you plan to work for yourself or in less hierarchical structures, your connections and hands-on experience often do the job better.
Your Next Step Focus on your personal goals. Nobody else will live your life. Choose something you don’t hate, something that interests you enough to pursue for years.
- What is your goal for the next chapter? Write it down. Put a date in the calendar.
- Feeling stuck? I’ve helped many people put their path together. No hidden agendas, just pure analysis of where you are and what can be done.
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