Professional Certification Benefits

There are 1.1M credentials but our latest research finds that only 12% offer significant wage gain earners wouldn’t have otherwise gotten. The Burning Glass Institute is launching the Credential Value Index to show which ones work, evaluating the outcomes from 23,000 non-degree credentials from over 2,000 providers, including every certification in America—from Coursera digital marketing certificates to OSHA certifications. To see whether they actually deliver for workers, we analyzed how each changed the course of the careers of 7 million people who had earned them. While only 1 in 3 credentials meet a minimum threshold vs. counterfactual peers for either boosting wages, facilitating career changes, or moving people up within their field, we still found 8,000 credentials that really move the needle for workers—often in ways that are transformative. The top decile of credentials yields annual wage gains of nearly $5,000 vs. counterfactual peers, increases by 7x vs. bottom credentials the chances of switching jobs into an aligned career, and boosts by 17x the probability of an earner’s getting promoted within their current field. We found wide variances in outcomes even for the same credential across named providers–and across the portfolio of credential offerings of even high-reputation providers. That says that learners can’t just trust brands and they can’t just trust that a credential will help just because it’s in a high-paying field. Instead, they need real data to help them make informed decisions. Our goal in this work is practical: to put these evaluations in the hands of workers and learners, employers, education institutions & training providers, and policymakers. The Credential Value Index–available through our Navigator site available on https://lnkd.in/e_BTX9bs –makes all 23,000 evaluations accessible to the public, with easy-to-understand metrics of performance, comparisons with other credentials, and helpful context, like which roles earners find themselves working in, which employers they’re working for, and which skills they master along the way. Our research is summarized in an American Enterprise Institute working paper which I coauthored with AEI senior fellow Mark Schneider and Burning Glass Institute colleagues Shrinidhi Rao, Scott Spitze, and Debbie Wasden. You can find it on https://lnkd.in/ezynMA-v. I want to express my deep thanks to Ellie Bertani, Matt Zieger, and the GitLab Foundation for all they have done to support this initiative. I am grateful for your partnership. And a big thank you to Patti Constantakis and Sean Murphy at Walmart for the opportunity to test this framework in a real-world laboratory. Finally, the Credential Value Index builds on a close partnership with Jobs for the Future (JFF). Many thanks to Maria Flynn, Stephen Yadzinski, and their terrific team. #education #careers #highereducation #learning #skills

If you're pursuing a cloud certification path, here's a role-based roadmap (includes the latest GenAI certs toward the end) Here's how you can pick your learning path : 1. Solutions Architect Design scalable, secure, and cost-optimized architectures. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → Solutions Architect Associate → Professional ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → Solutions Architect Expert ↳ GCP: Associate Cloud Engineer → Cloud Architect 2. Cloud Data Engineer Build data pipelines, real-time processing, and analytics workflows. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → Solutions Architect → Data Analytics Specialty ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → Data Engineer Associate ↳ GCP: Associate Engineer → Data Engineer 3. Software Developer (Cloud) Develop, deploy, and debug cloud-native applications. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → Developer Associate ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → Developer Associate ↳ GCP: Associate Engineer → Cloud Developer 4. System Administrator Manage infrastructure, virtual machines, IAM, monitoring, and storage. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → SysOps Associate ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → Administrator Associate ↳ GCP: Associate Cloud Engineer 5. DevOps / SRE / Platform Engineer Focus on CI/CD, IaC, automation, and reliability engineering. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → Developer Associate → DevOps Pro ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → Developer Associate → DevOps Expert ↳ GCP: Associate Engineer → DevOps Engineer 6. Cloud Security Engineer Secure cloud workloads, enforce IAM, and manage threat detection. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → SysOps → Security Specialty ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → Administrator → Security Associate ↳ GCP: Associate Engineer → Security Engineer 7. Network Engineer Design and operate scalable and secure cloud networks. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → Solutions Architect → Advanced Networking Specialty ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → Network Engineer Associate ↳ GCP: Associate Engineer → Network Engineer 8. ML / Generative AI Engineer Build, deploy, and scale ML models and GenAI applications. ↳ AWS: Practitioner → Solutions Architect → Machine Learning Specialty → [NEW] Certified AI Practioner ↳ Azure: Fundamentals → AI Engineer Associate → [NEW] Azure AI Fundamentals ↳ GCP: Associate Engineer → ML Engineer → [NEW] Generative AI Leader Quick Prep Tips: - Use hands-on labs: KodeKloud, Qwiklabs, Azure Labs - Leverage free tiers: AWS, Azure, GCP - Follow GitHub repos & official exam guides - For GenAI: explore Vertex AI, Azure OpenAI, AWS Bedrock And my final 2 cents: ↳ Pick your path based on your job goal, not hype ↳ Labs + Experience > Certification badges ↳ GenAI paths require cloud + ML basics first • • • If this helped: 🔔 Follow me(Vishakha) for more structured cloud + AI learning guides ♻️ Share it so others can find their path too! Image source: kodekloud.com

The cybersecurity certification game has changed dramatically in 2025. After reviewing hundreds of job postings and talking with hiring managers, here's what actually matters now and what's become obsolete. The Big Shifts: Cloud certifications are now commanding 15-20% salary premiums. AWS Security Specialty and Azure Security Engineer aren't optional anymore, they're expected. If you're picking one, follow the money. AWS dominates most markets, but Azure leads in government and enterprise. CISSP remains essential for leadership roles, but timing matters. Early-career professionals with CISSP often get labeled as "title hunters." Save it for when you have 5+ years experience and are eyeing management positions. The surprising winner? Specialized beats generalist every time. Certified Kubernetes Security Specialist (CKS) holders are writing their own tickets. OSCP continues to destroy CEH in market value and employers want proof you can hack, not just talk about it. What's Working by Career Stage: Entry Level: Security+ remains your ticket in. Pair it with cloud fundamentals (AWS/Azure) for maximum impact. Cost: ~$400-600 total. ROI: Excellent. Early Career (1-3 years): Go deep, not broad. SOC analysts need CySA+ or GMON. Future pentesters need OSCP. Skip generalist certifications entirely. Mid-Career (3-7 years): Choose your path. Technical track? Advanced cloud security or DevSecOps certs. Leadership track? Start that CISSP journey. Senior (7+ years): CISSP + business acumen wins. Add CISM for GRC roles or maintain technical edge with architect-level cloud certifications. The Reality Check: CEH is dying. Despite appearing in job posts, hiring managers increasingly view it as outdated. Don't waste your money. SANS certifications are incredible but at $7,000+, calculate carefully. Three specialized certifications might open more doors than one premium cert. AI security certifications are mostly hype. Stick with established providers adding AI modules to existing programs. The certification landscape evolves fast, but the principle remains constant: certifications open doors, skills keep them open. Choose credentials that align with where you're going, not where you've been. What's your certification strategy for 2025? Are you going deep in a specialty or building breadth? #Cybersecurity #Certifications #CareerDevelopment #InfoSec #CloudSecurity #TechCareers

🚨 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆. Every week I meet engineers with 6… 8… sometimes 10 certifications… …and still no interviews. Still stuck. Still underpaid. Not because they aren’t smart. Because they built 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀. And yes, I say this as someone who holds 100+ certifications. Early in my career, I chased certifications. Later, I learned to architect a path. Those are very different things. 👉 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿. 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗱. Here’s the pattern I now see everywhere: ❌ certifications that don’t connect ❌ overlapping knowledge ❌ no clear role positioning ❌ weak interview stories Result? Frustration… and often years of delayed progress. 👉 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗳𝗶𝘅 𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴. Certifications only create leverage when they align with a role. A Solutions Architect path looks NOTHING like a DevOps path. A Security engineer should not study like a Data engineer. Networking depth matters far more for some roles than others. Clarity changes everything. 👇 This roadmap is one of the simplest ways to visualize it. Before choosing your next certification, ask yourself: 👉 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱? Not: • “What’s the easiest cert?” • “What is everyone else doing?” • “What can I pass fastest?” Those are beginner questions. Instead ask: ✅ What skills does this role require? ✅ What gaps do I actually have? ✅ Will this certification improve my real-world capability? Because the market doesn’t reward effort. It rewards 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. After mentoring dozens of engineers, one pattern is impossible to ignore: 👉 Random learning creates motion. 👉 Strategic learning creates momentum. If you feel stuck right now, chances are you don’t need more courses. You need a clearer map. Curious now, 👉 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲? Solutions Architect, DevOps, Security, Data, Platform? Drop it in the comments 👇 (And if this helps someone you know, repost it, cloud clarity is underrated) #CloudComputing #DevOps #AWSCertified #Azure #GoogleCloud #CloudCareers #TechCareers #Certification #CloudEngineer #WomenInTech

A few years ago, the ESG certification market was the Wild West. Today, distinct lanes are emerging for professionals. We are seeing a clear consolidation around five key players, divided by the fundamental flow of information: ➡️ The Supply Side (Data Creators): Those creating the disclosures (Corps/SMEs) are gravitating toward the FSA Credential (linking to ISSB) and GRI (for impact). ⬅️ The Demand Side (Data Consumers): Those analyzing the disclosure are sticking to CFA (Global) and CESGA (Europe). 🛡️ The Risk Side: Climate risk quantification is becoming its own specialized vertical owned by GARP SCR. If you are navigating your professional development plan, align yourself with one of these champions. The question isn't which one is better. It's "what role do I want to be in?" If you want to work in Corporate Reporting, a CFA in ESG might be overkill on portfolio theory and light on materiality. Conversely, if you are an Asset Manager, the GRI certification might not give you the financial analysis perspective you need. The generalist era is ending; the specialist era is here. Check the guide below to see where you fit. 🖼️ #ESG #Sustainability #ISSB #IFRS #SustainabilityCareers #ESGreporting #CareerDevelopment #CFA #GRI #GARP #CESGA

Hill I can die on: Anyone from any background can become a PM in 2025. You just need the right roadmap that's proven. Let me give it to you: — ONE - Degrees Away: How Far Are You, Really? Not all transitions are equal. 1.1: One degree away? You’re already in the PM orbit. → Product marketing, UX research, TPMs, Scrum Masters ↳ Just reframe your experience and fill the few gaps 1.2: Two degrees away? You’ve got adjacent strengths. → Consulting, Ops, Customer Success ↳ Start learning product fundamentals and get comfortable with tech 1.3.: Three degrees away? You’re starting further out but not out of the game. → Teachers, finance, healthcare ↳ You’ll need to upskill and bridge the credibility gap One thing that works super well: - Step into an adjacent role first. - Think Product Analyst, Product Marketing, or even Ops. - Then leap into PM once you're 1 degree closer. — TWO - Compensation Reality Check Career switches usually mean a level reset. Yes, even if you’re a VP today, you might start as a Director PM. But here’s the good news: → PM often still pays better than roles like support or ops → Joining a smaller competitor can skip the level cut → Public company RSUs often close the comp gap → Internal transfers can preserve comp — THREE - Resume Rebuild (Not Refresh) If your resume screams “I did [X job],” it’s time to reframe. Your new formula: [PM Verb] + [What You Did] + [Impact] + [Context] Examples: → “Drove internal ops tool adoption across 3 teams (improving NPS by 21%)" → “Launched onboarding flow that reduced churn (by 8% in 30 days)" Goal: Make 50%+ of your resume look like PM work (even if it wasn’t officially PM work). — FOUR - Show, Don’t Just Certify A certificate alone will not get you hired... Do this: - Finding mock interview partners - Learning real frameworks - Access to mentors and alumni - Staying immersed in the product world — FIVE - Build a Real Portfolio You need to show people how you think. Build a Notion page with: • A teardown of a product you love • A personal project (even if it’s no-code) • A story from your current job reframed like a PM case • 3 clear case studies + your contact info Format it like a story they'd love to listen. Make it skimmable. Make it feel alive. — SIX - Interview Prep = The Final Gauntlet You won’t get 100 interviews. So the 5 you do get? You need to crush them. Types of interviews to prep: a. Behavioral b. Product sense c. Execution d. Strategy e. PM system design f. Technical-lite (yes, still matters) Find a mock interview partner and start ASAP. — In a nutshell... PM isn’t a career you break into overnight. But you absolutely can break in over 6–24 months. No matter how much it takes, it can change your life. As it did mine. Best of luck, Aakash ❤️

Cybersecurity Certifications: Do You Need Them to Land a Job? From DICE Cybersecurity is not just one of the fastest-growing fields in tech—it's also critical to virtually every organization’s survival. With companies facing an ever-escalating barrage of sophisticated cyber threats, the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals has never been higher. As a result, professionals in this field need to demonstrate their expertise to stand out in a competitive job market. But are cybersecurity certifications truly essential to landing a job, or can practical experience and a robust portfolio be enough to convince hiring managers? Let’s dive into the tangible value of cybersecurity certifications, exploring precisely how they impact job prospects and salaries. We'll also explore which certifications are most beneficial at different career stages, enabling you to make informed decisions about your professional development. What Are Cybersecurity Certifications? Cybersecurity certifications serve as official validation of an individual's specialized skills, in-depth knowledge, and proven expertise in protecting digital assets, proactively preventing cyber threats, and securing complex networks. These certifications are awarded by recognized, reputable organizations and require candidates to pass rigorous examinations that meticulously test technical competencies and practical application of cybersecurity principles. Why Employers Value Certifications Serve as Proof of Technical Expertise: Certifications provide concrete evidence that a candidate possesses the required skills and knowledge to perform specific cybersecurity tasks effectively. Demonstrate a Commitment to Cybersecurity Best Practices: Earning a certification signifies a professional's dedication to staying current with industry standards and adhering to best practices. Help Standardize Industry Knowledge for Hiring Decisions: Certifications provide a common benchmark, simplifying the hiring process by ensuring candidates meet a baseline level of proficiency. Provide Assurance in Regulated Industries Like Finance and Healthcare: In sectors with stringent compliance requirements, certifications offer assurance that professionals are equipped to handle sensitive data and adhere to regulatory standards. Entry-Level Certifications (Best for beginners) CompTIA Security+: Covers fundamental cybersecurity concepts, including network security, cryptography, and risk management. It is widely recognized and serves as a solid foundation for further specialization. GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC): A hands-on certification that tests basic cybersecurity knowledge and practical skills, focusing on real-world application. Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP): Ideal for IT professionals transitioning into security roles, covering areas such as access controls, cryptography, and risk management. #cybersecurity #certifications #employment #jobs

Is pursuing CA still worth it? Let me answer that by sharing some real examples from my students’ experiences. I’ve counseled 50k+ students in the last 5 years and witnessed many experiences! Ananya and Raj were some of my first students, and both were preparing for CA. I connected with Ananya when she failed her first attempt and Raj when he just started. Ananya passed her CA exams in two attempts and pursued a CFA certification to boost her global credentials. During her articleship, she emphasized practical training, working on complex audits, implementing automation tools, and leading financial projects. She actively stayed informed about industry trends and new technologies. Raj cleared his CA exams on his first attempt but focused solely on theoretical study. During his articleship, he mainly performed routine tasks with minimal involvement in advanced projects or emerging technologies. ➠ Ananya received multiple job offers from top Big 4 firms in India and internationally. Her comprehensive qualifications and hands-on experience led to high-paying roles, with offers reaching up to ₹30 lakhs per annum locally and $150,000 globally. Why? ↪ CA plus CFA provided a competitive edge and global recognition. ↪ Hands-on experience with complex projects demonstrated real-world application. ↪ Industry Awareness ↪ CFA enhanced his profile for international opportunities. Because CA doesn’t hold a lot of value globally ➠ Raj received only one job offer, which came with an average salary of ₹8 lakhs per annum. He faced multiple rejections from Big 4 firms and international companies due to his limited practical experience and lack of global knowledge. Why? ↪ Only a certification that holds value in India; no globally recognized certifications. ↪ Strong CA background but no additional skills or experience to stand out. I believe this clears a lot of things. But here’s my take! CA is indeed one of the most prestigious and valuable certifications out there, but given the competition in the market, the outcomes are no longer the same as they used to be. 💡Avoid pursuing CA solely due to peer pressure; choosing a path that doesn’t fit your goals can negatively impact your career. 💡Simply passing the CA exams and having the designation won’t build your career on its own. Practical skills and continuous learning are crucial. 💡Many people skip their undergraduate studies or additional courses, thinking CA alone is sufficient, don’t do this! 💡Focus on gaining practical experience through internships and projects; real-world skills are highly valued. 💡Complement your CA with globally recognized certifications to improve your opportunities, earning potential, and access to international career prospects. Here are some best alternatives/additions to CA: ➢ CFA ➢ CIMA ➢ ACCA ➢ CMA US ➢ CPA Everything’s worth it till it aligns with your goals and, most importantly, the demand and competition in the market! Thoughts?💡 #ca #finance

Jolly Joker or a dead card? Depends on how you use them. Some stack them like trophies. Others hope they’ll be a golden ticket. More certificates. More credibility. More job offers. That’s the plan. But then— Recruiters don’t call. The promotion doesn’t come. The dream job? Still out of reach. What went wrong? Certifications can open doors. Or they can just collect dust. It’s not about stacking them. It’s about playing them right. 𝑴𝒚𝒕𝒉 1: No budget, no certification. Wrong. If there’s a will, there’s a way. Many free or low-cost options offer recognized certs. 𝑴𝒚𝒕𝒉 2: Certifications can’t help career shifts. Wrong. They won’t replace experience. But they bridge skill gaps. 𝑴𝒚𝒕𝒉 3: Certifications don’t help with visibility. Wrong. They add keywords recruiters use. They help you stand out. 𝑴𝒚𝒕𝒉 4: Certifications guarantee promotions. Wrong. Paper alone won’t get you ahead. Impact does. 𝑴𝒚𝒕𝒉 5: A certification proves credibility. Wrong. Show value. Share insights. Make learning visible. How to make certifications work for you? 📌 Match them to real goals. A random cert won’t help. Pick ones that fit your path. 📌 Use certs as gateways. Connect with teachers, students, industry groups. 📌 Prioritize quality over quantity. A few strong certs beat a cluttered list. 📌 Stay consistent. Add one every 2–3 months. Shows you're a life-long learner. Certifications can open doors. Or they can just sit there. How are you using yours? What are you learning next?

In cybersecurity, certifications can open doors. But avoid this mistake 👇 Stacking certs without building real-world experience Here’s why 1 - Certs Without Context: ↳ Passing an exam doesn’t mean you’ve applied the knowledge. Knowing encryption algorithms is great—but have you ever implemented encryption in a real system under pressure? Employers aren’t just looking for what you’ve studied; they want to know what you’ve done. 2 - The "Paper Expert" Trap: ↳ Having CISSP, CCSP, CEH, and CISM might look impressive on LinkedIn. But if you can’t explain how you managed an incident, secured a cloud environment, or handled a risk assessment—you’ll struggle in interviews. Certifications show potential. Experience shows impact. 3 - What to Do Instead: ↳ Apply What You Learn: Build a home lab, contribute to open-source security projects, or volunteer for security tasks at work. ↳ Quality Over Quantity: Focus on certifications that align with your career goals, not just what’s trending. ↳ Document Your Work: Treat projects like case studies. What was the problem? How did you solve it? What was the impact? Simple fact is… Certifications get your foot in the door. Skills keep you in the room. Don’t chase certs for the sake of it. Chase real-world challenges that turn knowledge into expertise. Good luck on your cybersecurity journey!