Are Devops Certifications Worth it in 2024?

Do you really need to spend extra dollars to get certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect, AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional, or Microsoft Associate certifications?

The first thing to understand is that certifications are not mandatory to get a job. However, they play a vital role in making it easier to secure one. Let’s dive into the advantages of obtaining certifications:

1. Validate Your Skills
   Certifications validate the knowledge and skills you’ve acquired. For instance, if you’ve completed an Azure or AWS boot camp, certifications can prove your understanding of key concepts like networking, security, user management, storage, and computing. Certifications test your knowledge of specific technologies, whether it’s AWS, Azure, Terraform, or Kubernetes.
2. Stand Out in the Crowd
   While not always essential, certifications can set you apart from other candidates. In cases where two candidates have similar resumes and skill sets, a certification might be the deciding factor for a recruiter.
3. Open New Opportunities
   Certain job roles require specific certifications. For example, if a company focuses on Kubernetes and needs someone to manage or secure Kubernetes clusters, a Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) certification could make you the preferred candidate. Similarly, roles requiring expertise in Terraform might favor candidates with the Terraform Associate certification. Certifications aligned with a company’s specific needs provide recruiters with confidence in your expertise.

Which Certifications Should You Pursue?

Not all certifications are equally important, and you don’t need to collect every certification available. Instead, focus on certifications that align with your career goals:

• For Beginners: Start with foundational certifications such as AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner or Microsoft Azure Fundamentals. These provide a solid base for understanding cloud concepts.
• Intermediate Level: After gaining some experience, consider associate-level certifications like AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate, Microsoft Azure Administrator, or Terraform Associate.
• Advanced Level: With two to three years of industry experience, you can pursue professional-level certifications such as AWS Certified DevOps Engineer Professional, Google Professional Cloud Architect, or specialized certifications like Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA).

Skill Specialization

If you aim to specialize in a specific area, such as Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Kubernetes, or microservices, focus on certifications relevant to that domain. For example:

• Infrastructure as Code: Terraform Associate, AWS CloudFormation.
• Kubernetes: Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA), Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS).
• Monitoring and Automation: Certifications related to Prometheus, Grafana, or specific cloud-native tools.

Certifications Alone Are Not Enough

Certifications are valuable, but they must be complemented by practical skills. Recruiters prioritize hands-on experience, which you can gain by:

1. Building Projects: Implement and document real-world projects that demonstrate your understanding of cloud and DevOps concepts. Many platforms, like Medium, offer project ideas that can help enhance your portfolio.
2. Documenting Work: Create a portfolio to showcase your projects, including architecture diagrams, repositories, and implementation steps. Tools like Wonderpray can help with project documentation.
3. Updating LinkedIn and Resume: Highlight your completed projects and certifications on professional platforms to attract recruiters.

Certifications validate your knowledge but don’t guarantee a job. The combination of relevant skills, hands-on experience, and certifications is what truly makes you a competitive candidate.

If you’re a beginner, start small with foundational certifications, then progress to associate and professional levels as you gain experience. If you have the financial resources, taking certifications alongside your learning journey can be beneficial.

Remember, the right skill set is more critical than any certification. Focus on mastering cloud technologies like AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, and back them up with certifications to validate your expertise.