You are only one "proof" away from the dream of becoming a programmer

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In 2021, there are many reasons to get a certificate in the field of computer science.

Although it takes time and money to obtain a computer science certificate, it can achieve the same purpose as a degree or training camp: through them, you can show future employers that you have the skills and knowledge required to do the coding job you dream of. And it takes far less time and money to get a certificate than to get a degree.

Sometimes, having computer science related certificates is a prerequisite for your dream job, but they are usually just a simple way to prove your level of ability. This article will lead you through six steps to find the most suitable certificate in the field of computer science, get it, and use it to get your dream job in this field.

In fact, there is no universal answer, so this guide is just to help you think about what kind of computer science certificate can help you achieve your goals.

The first step: complete your own background investigation and determine which computer science certificate is most meaningful to the individual.

It will be worthwhile for serious introspection from the beginning. Although a computer science certificate is more affordable and accessible than a degree certificate, no one wants to waste time and money on the wrong choice. Please prepare and answer the following questions:

· Why do you want to get a certificate in the field of computer science? Maybe it can help find a job, achieve work freedom, or get a promotion.

· What is your target salary?

· How much time and money resources do you have available?

· Where are you currently in computer science? Do you understand the basic principles? Do you have knowledge in a certain area that will bring additional advantages?

This simple questionnaire can help you find the most effective and meaningful certificate for yourself. There are many certificates on the market that may be able to meet your needs, so the more you understand your personal situation, the better you can position yourself, so as to choose the right certificate according to your needs.

Step 2: Learn about different types of computer science certificates.

The great thing about computer science is that there is no so-called hard currency certificate. This frees you from the choice, but it also makes it difficult for you to make the only choice. Starting from the career you want to pursue in the future, you will find that certain computer science certificates are more suitable for you than others.

· Specific certificate

Many companies provide the company's certification, such as Amazon Cloud Services (AWS), Microsoft Cloud Technology (Azure), and Google Cloud Platform certification. These computer science certificates are provided by companies, but only for each company’s own products. These certificates may be useful, especially if you work hard for one of the companies. However, if you want to cover more extensive certificates, this may not be the best choice.

· University Certificate

Many universities and typical major and minor courses offer course certification, such as computer science courses. The certifications of established schools are very useful. For example, Georgia Institute of Technology is a well-respected engineering and computer science strong school. The computer science certificates issued by these schools are very important.

However, these courses sometimes overlap with your existing skills, which means you will waste time on what you have already mastered; or these courses may be too professional and complex to be suitable for ambitious beginners in computer science. They are also subject to university curriculum schedules, so they are not as easy as other options.

· General Certificate

You can also get a computer science certificate from an online learning platform like Coursera. From beginners to professional connoisseurs, these platforms often provide a wider range of options for computer science certification. And they are designed for online learning of computer science, which makes them more convenient.

Step 3: Focus on the results of the computer science certificate.

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At this stage, you need to be fully aware of the personal motivations you want to test, and you should have an understanding of the possible options for obtaining a computer science certificate.

Before making a final decision, you need to carefully consider the main purpose of a computer science certificate. It's like a seal of approval-it's a way to show your employer that you understand your responsibilities, and others will recognize it.

If you want to benefit from a computer science certificate, you can perform a cost-benefit analysis of the certificate you want to obtain. For example, some certifications allow you to build a developer portfolio, which not only shows the certification, but also all the skills you have learned. Others only provide a LinkedIn badge, or a paper certificate that can be presented upon request.

These certificates should teach you the required skills or prove that you have understood them. It’s not a good thing to take a computer science certificate to attend a job interview, but cannot answer the interviewer’s questions because of a lack of basic understanding. Especially in cases where certain certificates are very expensive and time-consuming, you have to make sure that they meet your requirements: prove that you have the required computer science knowledge and skills.

Step 4: Find a computer science certificate that can help you do the job.

In this battle, half is to choose the right computer science certificate, and the other half is to put it into practice. There are two things you should do:

First of all, the ease of completion is included in the criteria for selecting a computer science certificate. You can check the comments of people who have obtained the certificate to see how long it takes to complete, whether it is divided into multiple stages and gamification is a very effective technique for learning code. You can see if the certification is of this style. The more you understand your learning style, the better you can pick the most suitable certificate-not only for the goal, but also for the possibility of accomplishing the goal.

Second, motivate yourself. If you are in the early stages of your programming career and your job search keeps getting rejected, it can be really discouraging. In this regard, obtaining a computer science certificate will help you. You can motivate yourself financially, for example, if you get a certificate, give yourself a gift. Or you can tell others about this goal and let your friends supervise you.

To obtain a certificate, both internal drive and external drive are necessary. If you can plan ahead, choose a course that suits your study and work style, and find motivational skills that you can use, the easier it will be for you to get a computer science certificate and get your dream programming job.

Step 5: Start preparing.

The more homework you do in the first four steps, the easier the fifth step. Monitor your progress-if there are multiple phased goals in the process of leading to certification, complete them step by step. If you find yourself not going well, try to speed up the progress.

You can rely on family and friends to firm your goals, or you can post in online communities such as Reddit/learnprogramming to find motivation, support, help, and ideas to stick to. Some people think that all programmers are alone. This is a common misunderstanding. Joining the community helps to find motivation and help, so that you can move forward firmly in times of difficulty.

If you find that although you have worked hard to select the best computer science certificate, it is still difficult to obtain it, you can stop temporarily and try other methods. Most computer science certificates are free to choose when to complete, and you can complete it at your own pace.

When you feel strenuous, see if you can find a shorter, perhaps cheaper, or even free course and certificate, and then complete it. A small but quick victory may help you improve your skill level and motivate you to persevere.

Step 6: Show off your certificate proudly.

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Regardless of whether you want to show your portfolio, or just want to show the certificate on LinkedIn, this task is only completed when everyone knows that you have the certificate.

The whole point of this certificate is that when you apply for a job in the field of computer science, it can prove your skills and knowledge. Ideally, the course content of this certificate will teach you the basic knowledge of the position you are applying for and make you qualified for the job. The certificate is the stepping stone to the interview, and the skill is the paving stone of the career.

Even if you successfully find a job, please don't stop. Continue to learn, continue to fill in the loopholes in basic knowledge; always pay attention to new opportunities; continue to improve skills, so that you can become the ideal programmer in the hearts of employers. In the final analysis, a certificate is only an approved seal. As an employee, skills and knowledge are what you can get on the table. Please proudly show your credentials-let the ability speak.

You are only one "proof" away from the dream of becoming a programmer.

A computer science certificate is not a shortcut to a degree. This is not a game with the system, nor is it circumventing the basics of computer science. All of this is just a way to show the company your computer science skills and experience through external certification.

There is no right answer to the choice of the best certificate. Some are just choices that are more suitable for you. The above six steps will help you find, complete and present the perfect computer science certificate, but the certificate is not the real purpose-it just proves that you do have the ability you said.

There are many factors that need to be considered in the process of balancing selection and research. If you need a general knowledge certificate or a professional knowledge certificate, you need to understand the purpose of obtaining a computer science certificate and what resources you have mastered. You should fully understand your learning style and the obstacles you may encounter in the learning process. You also need to understand how to display the certificate, whether to write a line on your resume, or to develop a portfolio for others to examine.

But the most important thing is that you have to remember that a certificate is only the beginning of a successful job search. It allows you to cross the threshold of an interview and gives you the experience you need to answer questions that may arise.

In 2021, no matter what stage you are in your career, whether you are looking for your first job, or as a professional programmer, you are looking for change or promotion, you can benefit from a computer science certificate. This guide will help you find, obtain, and use computer science certificates to your best advantage.

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Compilation Team: Liu Jingnan, Sun Shengyu

You are only one "proof" away from the dream of becoming a programmer

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