pbaze

Hi,

I recently graduated from the university of michigan with a degree in computer science but my GPA is below the glorious 3.0. My overall is 2.7. I've been thinking that I could supplement my my resume by getting a C++ certification. All the searching I've done has pointed to getting it from Brainbench. Any thoughts? Is it worth the time/money? Is Brainbench good for software certs?

At school the main focus was C/C++. So, I got no exposure to Java. I am also considering getting a Sun certification to open up more possibilities in my job search.

Also, I recently discussed these things with a friend and he recommended looking into a .NET cert. I haven't done so yet, I don't even know what certs are available.

Any help or suggestions appreciated.

Cheers,
Paul

kurifu

I do not know.. I have heard useless things about certifications in the past. A lot of certs are stupidly easy... like A+ Hardware certification... it doesn't take much at all to get one of those things.

Cisco certification has a lot of weight of all certifications I believe, but that certification programm--as you can probably guess--is networking related, specifically with CISCO equipment.

Brainbench may not be a bad place to start, I have written a few of their certifications before (just out of interest--the free ones) and they are alright. Relatively complete as well and accurate. Probably doesn't hurt to write one.

But as long as you have a degree does it really matter what your GPA is? Last I checked that did not get put on your resume.

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big_k105

yeah but if you are fresh out of college the gpa could help you get a job. as my uncle told me that they find out the gpa of a person who is fresh out of college with no work experience and if they didnt have atleast a 3.5 they will just throw the resume away. i dont konw how they find it out if you dont put it on there tho

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Infinite Recursion

I don't think the GPA matters... as long as you prove you are knowledgable in the field and can do what it takes to complete the task. Perhaps a portfolio of completed programs, etc would put shine on your resule. Also, people with high GPAs tend to put them on the resume, people without hte 3.5+ tend to leave them off. However, the employer can find out if they wanted to, especially if you allow them access to your records.

Bottom line is, a degree holds more weight than a certification. I wouldn't waste time on certs if you have a degree, but be open to training and learning new things in general... as this field changes all of the time.

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Berto

Yeah a porfolio is a good plan.

I had a telephone interview for a job, and they blantently could tell i knew my stuff, so i got a second interview (which i didnt take) that was for e-sure if anyone knows the company to do there websites.

My problem is we have stupid thoery classes at uni Skills for managed work placements, p;rofesional skills for soemthing, there are a few others that are pointless, but i cant remember them, and i have no drive to do them and so it drops my grade down but, if i have to program only it woul dbe much higher.

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amitmathur82

Hi,

I guess this Online Exam site will be useful, but i am not sure if they give certification. But nice, must give it a look....

Thanks,
Amit