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> > ... If someone is going to compete with me on knowledge I've
> > worked hard for, I want them to prove they have the
> > knowledge, not just by saying so and not just by including
> > the one piece they've ever faked their way through in their
> portfolio.
>
> Certification won't "prove" they have the knowledge, John.
I'm not interested in the debate of the value of certification, although I
believe that well-structured certification has value. As far as the current
issue is concerned, I think that there is an issue of semantics with the
word and concept, "prove."
The act of proving oneself through certification is not proof in itself, but
it is a weight on the side of qualifications and "knowledge." There are
many ways to prove one's knowledge. The first is the development of a
résumé that accurately fits the job and includes appropriate industry terms
and skills. Other forms of proving oneself include, in no particular order,
the list that follows.
* References
* Work Samples
* Other Samples
* Education
* Training beyond education
* Ability to communicate in a cover letter
* Ability to communicate during an interview
* Certification
Certification is one means of proving one's ability to perform a job (and
knowledge). It is not a complete form of proof, but it is a broad,
quantifiable, and deep method of demonstrating one's skills when the
certification is well-structured.
So, in this case, certification is a proof of knowledge, although it is not
a complete proof of knowledge.
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