Re: FN-FORUM: Qualifications

date posted 21st March 2006 13:43

> I want to gain some more IT qualifications, whilst I finish my degree.
> Something like a Microsoft Certified something or other, or Cisco, etc.
> I'm aiming to go into web development and have some experience, but I'd l=
ike
> to get a specific qualification to back it up. What are the best
> qualifications for web development and are there any that I should go for
> before getting a specific certificate?

It depends entirely on what you want to get out of it. If you want to
work for a specific employer, they may favour candidates with a
certain qualification. If you want to work as a freelance web
developer, your portfolio will almost certainly sell you a lot better
than a list of qualifications.

I took the decision to work as a freelancer from the word go after
getting my Computer Science degree last year, and while it took some
time to get my first 'real' contract, the contractor was interested in
my previous experience and portfolio, rather than my qualification.

I wouldn't consider doing any further qualifications at this time
because I believe that improving and adding to my skillset 'on the
job' is going to be more beneficial for me and my bank balance! And
in retrospect, the voluntary web projects I did while at uni were
invaluable when it came to selling myself as a freelancer.

I'm not saying that it's a bad thing to do any more qualifications, as
I did some research in that avenue while I was on the dole :) but I
didn't find anything that sounded as though it would teach me enough
to warrant the committment of time and money.