The Importance of Achieving and Retaining Certifications

Achieving certifications within the IT field is almost a rite of passage. Most IT workers have a degree, but specialize in a certain technology and may become certified in that area to help prove their mastery of that skill or technology.

However, some professionals are still leery of certifications. Is all that studying and testing really worth it? Do employers really pay attention to certifications on resumes? Which certification would be right for the job? And will you need to keep up the certification after you achieve it?

In our IT Downloads section, you will find an excerpt from the book “The Basics of Achieving Professional Certification: Enhancing Your Credentials.” The download features Chapter 5: Maintaining Professional Certifications.

This chapter discusses the need for keeping certifications current and up to date. According to the chapter:

It is interesting to note that approximately 90% of those who receive professional certification are required to engage in activi­ties to maintain their credentials. So, part of the secret to survival appears to involve ensuring that those individuals who have achieved professional certification are retained and support continuous improvement in the professional certification program so that growth can be realized. This is especially important considering that the vast majority of professional certification programs require renewal or recertification every 3–5 years.

Both managers and employees would benefit from the information included in chapter 5. This chapter gives great advice on how to keep your certifications relevant. It details how to budget your time and money to keep your career and professional certifications current. It also discusses when to “retire” a certification that is no longer considered to be important by the industry.