REQ opinions about becoming Zend Certified

I would consider myself a medium/high level coder. I've come across some scripts that are very
complex and object written and I can figure out most thing thrown at me. I'm wondering if it's
worth the $600 being Zend certified .

Guess it would be nice to brag about, but honestly would it mean more money coming in?
Or maybe I will be able to write more complex applications. I'm constantly striving and learning new
things on my own anyway, so is it worth it or not?

http://www.zend.com/store/zend_php_t...ation_training

Looking for opinions from people who are certified and can tell me the pros and cons, before I shell
out the cash and spend the time getting the certificate. And maybe tell me if the program is done
well, if the instructor are responsive, ect... Thanks.

Gleep wrote:
> I would consider myself a medium/high level coder. I've come across some scripts that are very
> complex and object written and I can figure out most thing thrown at me. I'm wondering if it's
> worth the $600 being Zend certified .

IMO, it would depend on the market conditions where you are. Is there a
lot of competition in the development areas? If you think you'd be
fighting for a job or promotion, then having a certification can help to
give that extra edge over an equally qualified individual.

It says to the employer: I have made the effort to learn these
technologies and methods, and can demonstrate them in a repeatable manner.

It's similar to a degree. Just having one, regardless of the discipline,
will give an edge in the job market.

Gleep wrote:
> I would consider myself a medium/high level coder. I've come across some scripts that are very
> complex and object written and I can figure out most thing thrown at me. I'm wondering if it's
> worth the $600 being Zend certified .
>
> Guess it would be nice to brag about, but honestly would it mean more money coming in?
> Or maybe I will be able to write more complex applications. I'm constantly striving and learning new
> things on my own anyway, so is it worth it or not?
>
> http://www.zend.com/store/zend_php_t...ation_training
>
> Looking for opinions from people who are certified and can tell me the pros and cons, before I shell
> out the cash and spend the time getting the certificate. And maybe tell me if the program is done
> well, if the instructor are responsive, ect... Thanks.

I'm in a similar situation as you are. I thought about this before,
and came to the conclusion that it really can't help you all that much.
According to their website, there are 1132 Zend certified engineers --
in the entire world! If it was something really worth getting, I'd
expect there to be more of them (a la MS certifications) especially
since it isn't really that difficult.

I have purchased a voucher for a examn recently and obtained the study guide
and practise book. The general idea is to take the examn "when I have time",
which will be around summer holidays. Untill then, I go trough the study
guide and write down everything that requires my special attention for later
processing.

One nice thing is that studying for certification forces you to review your
knowledge. Also, I found some interesting features that I overlooked
earlier. And; I'm now forced to look at parts of the language which I did
not used yet or only sometimes use. Overall it is a nice experience to study
in this way and refresh / sharpen knowledge.

The value of the certificate; I think it shows new customers that you have a
basic level of knowledge. After all, a "certified engineer" will appear to
be not a avarage programmer. The certificate is not well known I think, but
most customers don't know the value of certificates anyway. So, the picture
"certified engineer" looks nice on your website and will hopefully attrack
more customers...

For me, refreshing / sharpening knowledge is always the most important.
After all, the quality of your work can always improve and is the main thing
that counts. A certificate is a nice side effect. And; someone once sayd
"all business is like show business". Maybe a title /certificate like this
helps to show that we are in a serious business and take the business really
seriously ;)

Kind regards,
Nico den Boer

"Gleep" <Gleep@Gleep.com> wrote in message
news:6vv122td7qdo2r8mkbeb3lpok52njb5u9f@4ax.com...
>I would consider myself a medium/high level coder. I've come across some
>scripts that are very
> complex and object written and I can figure out most thing thrown at me.
> I'm wondering if it's
> worth the $600 being Zend certified .
>
> Guess it would be nice to brag about, but honestly would it mean more
> money coming in?
> Or maybe I will be able to write more complex applications. I'm constantly
> striving and learning new
> things on my own anyway, so is it worth it or not?
>
> http://www.zend.com/store/zend_php_t...ation_training
>
> Looking for opinions from people who are certified and can tell me the
> pros and cons, before I shell
> out the cash and spend the time getting the certificate. And maybe tell
> me if the program is done
> well, if the instructor are responsive, ect... Thanks.

Spend the time and money on improving your skills - that's more important
than sending Zend money ;)

Maybe this says it all :)

$rating = 0;

if (certfication == good verification of current skills)
$rating += 2;

if (study for verification helps to improve skills)
$rating += 5;

if (you cound gain one or two new customers because of certification)
$rating += 2;

if ($rating > 2)
// Get certified or at least study for it, it's worth the money
else
// Don't bother to get certified

"Nico" <nicodenboer@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:1143476968.191504.41070@t31g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
> Maybe this says it all :)
>
> $rating = 0;
>
> if (certfication == good verification of current skills)
> $rating += 2;
>
> if (study for verification helps to improve skills)
> $rating += 5;
>
> if (you cound gain one or two new customers because of certification)
> $rating += 2;
>
> if ($rating > 2)
> // Get certified or at least study for it, it's worth the money
> else
> // Don't bother to get certified

Nice work :)

It's all down to how you want to spend your time - if you can get work
without being certified, then keep working. If the work dries up and you
have the spare money, go for it - it might help, it might not. I'm wary of
software companies selling certification in their own software - I've yet to
be convinced any of the microsoft certifications are worth anything :-P