A good course gives you the experience, skills, and attributes needed for a promising start in tech. But that’s just the beginning! By complimenting your education with a software engineer certification, you will add value to your career by keeping up with the industry as technology advances and opening the door to job opportunities that require specialization. The best thing is your journey will create the foundation for building your knowledge base.
So, is a professional certification really the right call? If you want to take your career to heights you never imagined, it definitely is.
Move your resume to the top of the pile! As a hiring manager, Engineering Certifications show me that you not only have the experience but also the proof to show it. Then I can make a quick and informed decision to make sure you’re the right candidate for the job.
-Tyler Gary, Former Engineering Manager at AppDynamics (Cisco)
What is a Software Certification?
A software certification is a designation that validates your skill level for any practice, specialization, or concept within the parameters of software engineering. In essence, while a software engineering degree or certificate covers the practice as a whole, a software engineer certification focuses on one specific skill. In almost all cases, in order to earn a certification, you will be required to complete a course, project, and/or exam. However, this depends on the specific certification you’re interested in.
And What Is It Good For?
Software certifications are valued because they represent expertise in your background as a software engineer. Employers see your certification as evidence of your hard work and dedication. It serves as an indication that you’ve spent time honing your skills and are now ready to bring them out into the real world. Additionally, certifications can be an effective way to take your career in a different direction. For instance, if you seek more than what your current web developer job has to offer, a professional certification can help you change gears and prepare you for a new future in software engineering.
1. Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP)
The ability to identify vulnerabilities, protect data, and take proactive steps against potential breaches is extremely important in cybersecurity. The Certified Secure Software Lifecycle Professional (CSSLP) certification from (ISC)² tests these essential skills. This certification takes approximately 4 hours to complete and covers 175 questions on safety and security, software design, maintenance, performance practices, and software testing. If you have at least five years of experience in information technology (IT) and work with software architecture, project management, or penetration testing, this certification can prove to be pivotal in enhancing your career.
2. Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP)
The primary purpose of the Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) certification is to expand your understanding of software engineering requirements, design, construction, and testing. This advanced certification is a 160-question examination provided by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and takes approximately 3 hours to complete. The IEEE only recommends it for software engineers who have at least two years of professional experience and have completed the following prerequisite certifications:
- IEEE Software Requirements
- IEEE Software Design
- IEEE Software Construction
- IEEE Software Testing
3. Oracle Certified MySQL Database Administrator (CMDBA)
Businesses around the world use MySQL to structure their data and enhance its accessibility. Its popularity has therefore increased the demand for Oracle Certified MySQL Database Administrator (CMDBA) certifications. Completion of this program certifies your competency of Oracle and MySQL. It also authenticates your database building and organizing skills. The CMDBA designation has no prerequisites. In fact, Oracle provides training courses that cover exam areas such as server layout, database design, queries, MySQL security, and executables.
4. Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
The Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) designation is one of the most popular certifications available to information security professionals who either hold managerial positions or want to become managers. Its popularity is due in part to the certification’s focus on the business side of security, as opposed to the technical aspect behind it. Anyone interested in the CISM designation must have five years of experience in information security and three years of experience in at least three of the following:
- Information security management
- Information security incident management
- Information security program development and management
- Information risk management and compliance
Keep in mind, the CISM certification examination covers all four of these areas. You also don’t need all those years of experience to take the test, but you will need them within five years of taking the exam if you want to apply for your certification.
5. Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP)
The Certified Cloud Security Professional (CCSP) certification is offered by (ISC)² to authenticate your design, management, and security skills in cloud applications. This certification’s importance revolves around the popularity and impact behind cloud technologies and the need for best practices in cloud security at a wide range of organizations. To become CCSP certified, candidates must have 5 years of IT experience – three of them in information security and one year in one of the following areas:
- Cloud concepts, architecture, and design
- Legal, risk, and compliance
- Cloud platform and infrastructure security
- Cloud security operations
- Cloud data security
- Cloud application security
Please note the certification exam will cover all those areas.
6. Certified Data Professional (CDP)
To receive a Certified Data Professional (CDP) certification, you must complete two exams. The first one covers data management, while the other covers the information systems area you’d like to specialize in. Your specialization can fall under several different areas, depending on your experience and professional goals. Specialization areas include information management, data analytics and design, business analytics, leadership and management, and data quality.
7. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Developer
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is one of the leading storage and cloud computing providers and the AWS Certified Developer designation is just as popular. This software engineer certification validates your knowledge of AWS areas such as fundamentals, architecture, user support, web development, and debugging. Requirements for AWS are not as stringent as other certifications — you need a year of experience working on AWS. Additionally, training materials are provided by AWS free of charge.
Let’s Get Started
Years of professional experience and a software engineer certification can propel your career forward. But first thing’s first: you need to begin that promising journey. If you’re ready for a career that offers growth, advancement, and financial stability, just start.
