Re:certifications? (Score 1)

Certifications are VERY useful for becoming an expert in a certain area in a short amount of time. If you are already educated/experienced/whatever and you need to learn a lot about something you havent had the opportunity to futz with, getting a cert will take less time than playing at home. I am a programmer, former admin, BSCS, 10yrs exp etc etc.. when I need to learn "everything" about say, XML, Oracle, or some other specific technology, I just go take a short course. They have the lab set up and are ready for you to shoe up and fill your brain. If you have no experience in anything, taking a cert course may not help, as half will go over your head, and the other half will be your only knowledge.

in short, certs help you beef up your specialized skills. Specific college courses do too. I am currently taking a course in compiler design, 3 weeks of homework seems to equal 3 months of futzing at home.

ymmv
-Ken