I often hear questions such as: "Is it worth it to get certified?", "Should I get my team certified?", and "What is the value of certification?"
To answer these questions, I often share the key data points in our latest Global Oracle Certification Program Survey. More recently I’ve also found myself sharing some additional perspective points that I have come to believe quite strongly:
The real value of certification isn’t so much the ‘piece of paper’ you receive, although this is indeed an important token of your achievement. The true value sought by professionals and their clients is found in the steps that a person must goes through in order to pass the required exams.
Everyone can identify with the anxiety that comes with the prospect of taking a test. In preparation, most people have to study: train, read, research and practice. I see a lot of people that even create flash cards or their own practice questions. Serious preparation is typically a tedious process that is done over the course of several days, weeks or even months. There is plenty of time to learn and absorb the topics/concepts and to get some ‘hands-on time’ with the technology. It is this very studying that leads to greater learning and understanding - hence creating a great value for each of the customers whom hires this professional to work on their systems.
I want to point out that this principle applies to anyone of almost any level of experience. The breadth and depth of what is covered on the exams (or the exam objectives) typically requires even experienced professionals to prepare well – think, practice, train and study. If this process is taken seriously, then it is almost certain that they will learn something new or understand something old a little better.
Regards,
Paul Sorensen
Director, Oracle Certification
Comments (5)
Getting a certification involves a lot of dedication and discipline on your part, in terms of your study routine. It certainly is not just a piece of paper as many people seem to believe.
Posted by Cisco Training Hyderabad | July 30, 2008 9:34 PM
Certification is valuable as a consultant my current and future clients demand excellence from Oracle consultants and the Oracle certification allows me to validate my knowledge and background to perform the best work for clients.
Posted by Ben Prusinski | November 12, 2008 2:33 PM
what happens to those who passed the 1Z0-042 after Dec 1st, 2008? I took the exam on Dec15, 2008 and never been told about the new requirement that I have to take another exam. Even from the training center, nobody knew about the new requirement. Should there be any prior notice for at least 3 months before it takes effect?
Posted by natti | February 10, 2009 11:56 PM
Hi natti, We are sorry that you did not see the announcement. There was actually nearly 6 months notice posted on our website that this change was coming. An announcement was posted on our certification home page and a link was provided from the 10g DBA OCA track page. The web page was also updated on December 1, 2008 with the new path.
This was also announced in our monthly eMagazine that is sent to all candidates who opt-in to receive communications from Oracle Certification. You can view this blog posting http://blogs.oracle.com/certification/archives.html for more information on how to opt-in to receive this valuable resource.
Posted by Brandye Barrington | February 11, 2009 11:10 AM
This one is one of the original flaw of OCA 10g Certification which Oracle Certification Team has fixed now. Now onus is on new certification aspirants who want to do OCP.
I personally feel that even if you are working in Oracle Tech for long time and regularly update yourself with new in Oracle, you will hardly know what's happening on certification front.
May be this kind of blog is solution to get all the new info in the form of feed runner to know what's new happening in Oracle Certification area
Posted by Milind Jadhav | March 22, 2009 4:45 PM