Are You Certified Yet? Why Not?

What's holding you back from earning that certification? Identify and overcome common hurdles to becoming certified.

By Anne Martinez

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When it comes to earning a computer professional certification, many people sit on the cusp of aspiration but never make it to the promised land on the other side. You know you should do it, you want to do it, but you're just not doing it! So what's holding up the train? We surveyed some IT pros we know to find out what has interfered with their certification plans and then consulted with training and certification experts on how these stumbling blocks can be overcome.

People earn certifications for different reasons. It's a ready made way to leverage your position in the workforce, either by offering solid proof of skills you already have or by providing an easy to follow roadmap for adding a new skill set while obtaining tangible proof of it at the same time. Gaining priority access to tools and programs that will enable you to do your job better or help your employer reach a particular level in a partner program can also be big motivators. Some repeat certifiers do it as a way to assure they keep their skills sharp and up to date, and to provide independent proof that they are at the top of their game. So what's holding you up?

Excuse: I already know my stuff, why do I need a piece of paper to prove it?
Reality: Let's agree that you really do know your area of expertise inside and out, which is impressive and admirable, but why not take that next step and get the credential that formally attests to your abilities? Would you advise someone to quit college one credit shy of a degree because she has already learned what she needs to know? Of course not! A certification, like a traditional degree, is a critical capstone to the work you've already put in becoming a master of your technical domain. You've already done the hard part, now get the most out of it! Take the last few steps and get that formal piece of paper, and it will make a difference, especially if the day comes when your qualifications are being lined up against those of five other people who didn't.

Excuse: I am not sure which certification to get.
Reality: Choosing an appropriate certification is an important step and not one to be taken lightly, but it's not like you're making a decision that's going to cause a shift in the time space continuum, so relax, take a realistic look at your options, and make an educated selection. Although there are hundreds of certifications to choose from, it is really quite easy to narrow that list down to just a few that are appropriate for your goals.

You can, of course, do this by researching online and talking to friends, but we've made it incredibly easy for you by creating the Certification Counselor. All you have to do is choose a skill area (developer, communications, wireless, trainer, security, etc), a skill level, and answer a few more questions about your goals, and a ready made list of applicable certifications will be delivered to your desktop for your review.

Excuse: I can't possibly add study time to my daily schedule.
Reality: People today squeeze an incredible array of activities into each day and often end up exhausted at the other end, so how are you going to add studying to the mix? It is not as hard as you might think. If you actually analyze the amount of time spent on various activities throughout the day, you may find a few things you can cut out at least temporarily. Bring lunch to work instead of driving somewhere and waiting to be served and so forth, so you can study over lunch. Instead of reading the morning paper, listen to the radio news on the way to work instead, and you can always get up a little earlier (as painful as it might be) or got to bed half an hour later.

Although little blocks of study time are helpful, its important to have larger blocks where you can cover a significant amount of material, which means that yes, weekends are probably going to come into play; but it's only temporary until you get what you want - that certification. Meanwhile, learn to say no to extra activities and protect your study time. Set a regular study schedule, even if it isn't every day. Stick to it and protect it or it won't happen. Once it becomes a part of your regular routine, your brain will find it much easier to slide into study mode. Like any other self improvement program, there's no getting around that it will require commitment, so commit and move on to the next step.

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