CIW certification...Good or Bad

[bjoerndalen]

Hi guys..

I live in the UK and over the last couple of years I have done a couple of home study courses in web design. I am no expert and struggle at times with Javascript but I feel I have a pretty good foundation from which to build off. I feel pretty confident with HTML and basic CSS though. All of which I can do by hand - coding.

I want to get involved in this as a vocation ( must be mad as a hatter I know) but the diplomas I received from these courses are not industry recognised.

It appeaars that every job needs some sort of certification nowadays. I have been looking at doing the CIW courses. I would be interested to know your feelings on this and if its something worth pursuing as a creditable qualification or is it a waste of money.

I thought that it was worth asking you guys as you seem to be pretty clued up plus you've never let me down in the past.
:)

Ok over to you....

[daed17]

The certs are good if you are starting off, but when I look at a person for hire I want to see a portfolio of their work. I look at their creativity, if they can actually program and web design, plus their drive to learn.

Programming and web design is like writing a book, you don't have to go to school just for it but you do need to know how it is done and be good at it.

I know some programmers that have been to college and $30,000 of extra classes but they suck when it comes to creativity and programming. They let the web tool do the programming, like Dreamweaver, and their layout is one dimensional. Why even be in the business if that is how you program and can't have fun with what you do.

Guess my point is, keep in there... enjoy what you are doing be damn good at it.... and you will land a job. But if you got into it for the money, you think it is easy, and want something you can be lazy at... then you need to find a new career.:D

[spufi]

As a person who took a college Java course using their book, I have to say that was about the worst written Java book if not computer book I have seen. It cost me $100 too. Just think, for not even half of that I could have bought what is widely considered the best Java book. Heck, I could have bought that book and a book on certification test for $100.:)

I don't know how good your instructor would be, if you had one, but you better hope you get a really good one if the rest of their books are the same in quality. I have a feeling they are. They basically are really light in info and then they give you an example. Does it have all of the code? Maybe, maybe not, but not likely. A beginner could easily get screwed up.

I also don't know how strong of a name they are in terms of credibilty, so even if you make it through, I don't know how much value the certification would hold. I do know some places that do use them to train their employees.

[bjoerndalen]

Hi Guys...

Thanks for the comments.

In the Uk every job that goes seems to be asking for some sort of certification. Mad I know but true. Without these it is difficult to get through the door.

I guess really I should concentrate on building a portfolio of work and use that as evidence of my capabilities. Up to now I have only developed one site. Which as been re-designed 3 times so far. Each time hopefully it improves. The re-designs are done each time I feel I can improve on what I already have. This site is again going to go through a re-design soon. I enjoy the challenge of trying to learn web design technologies(even though I find it tough at times).

I must admit I would find it interesting to hear from any other people who employ web design personnel and see if everyone shares the same view as daed17. I would also be keen to find out if age is an issue when employing people? I ask this as I am 36 :eek: (steady no laughing) .;)

I look forward to any comments...

Dave

:)

[daed17]

I could care less about age... it is what do you bring to the table that is important to me.

[Sux0rZh@jc0rz]

i know many kids who go out on their own, not working for a company, but working for themselves and they land jobs if they are good enough, and even if they arent, sometimes they land jobs because of how cheap they are :D ... anyways, age does not matter but sometimes its better to be your age when it comes to landing a real job.. not a freelance job...

[bjoerndalen]

Thanks again for your comments.

I must admit such comments are very encouraging to hear. It proves that not everyone judges you primarily on qualifications.

I have been concentrating on trying to gain these but I feel my time may be more constructive in trying to build a good portfolio.

Best wishes

Dave..

daed17 I love your footnote at the end of your message..Very good.:D

[Robert Wellock]

Basically you'd need City and Guilds level 3 Advanced Web Design certificate before an employer would take you seriously (if you were just paper chasing) because the level 2 doesn't really cover server-side technologies or scripting.

As was previously stipulated a good reputation on various web development forums and a showcase of work tends to gain as much respect with an employer.