Engineering Certifications Worth Pursuing

If you're wondering, "Is a Machine Learning Certification worth it in 2025?" here are some honest thoughts 👇 Short answer - Yes, ML certifications are valuable. They can lead to real career growth, better salaries, and help you stand out in an increasingly crowded talent pool. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜𝘁’𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝘁 1. Career Growth: Over 60% of certified professionals report getting promoted, and around 1 in 3 see salary increases, often above 20%. Certifications help you pivot into ML roles faster and take on more technical responsibilities. 2. Stand Out in a Crowded Field: Hiring managers are flooded with resumes, and if you have a certification from Google Cloud, AWS, or Microsoft they assume that you’re applying it in cloud-native, production-ready ways. 3. Industry Recognition: Top-tier certs like: ✅ Google Cloud Professional ML Engineer ✅ Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified ML- Specialty ✅ Microsoft Azure AI Engineer Associate ✅ Databricks Certified ML Professional …are recognized by employers and often show up as "preferred qualifications" in job listings. 4. Employer Value: Typically, certified employees are seen as more productive, innovative, and independent. Companies say they trust certified hires to build models that actually work in production, I have always seen it as a requirement in big techs atleast. 5. Rising Demand: AI/ML jobs are expected to grow 40% between 2023-2027, and the fastest-growing demand is for engineers who understand ML and how to ship it, exactly what most cloud certs focus on. 𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗜𝘁 → Career Switchers: If you'r trying to move from product, business, or academic backgrounds into AI? A cert gives you structure and credibility to break into the field. → Tech Pros (Early to Mid Career) If you're already a SWE or data engineer? A cloud ML cert can help you transition into ML roles or MLOps roles and get noticed for internal promotions. → Hands-On Learners: Certs with project-based components, like deploying models on GCP’s Vertex AI or AWS SageMaker are especially valuable. Employers love to see that! 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱 → Cert != Experience: A cert alone won’t get you the job. Pair it with real projects: open source work, GitHub repos, Kaggle comps, or cloud ML demos. → Certification vs. Certificate: A certification involves a proctored exam and industry recognition (like AWS, GCP). A certificate might just mean you completed a few videos. So, it's not the same weight. So, Be Selective! Skip generic "ML Bootcamp" or $10 Udemy-style courses unless they include real-world, resume-worthy projects. Rather, focus on programs that teach tools actually used in production. My 2 cents 🫰 An ML certification in 2025 is absolutely worth it, IF you choose the right one and back it up with hands-on experience. It's a good asset that signals your skill, curiosity, and job-readiness :)

Top DevOps Certifications (2025) 1. AWS Certified DevOps Engineer – Professional • Best for: Engineers working with AWS. • Covers: CI/CD, automation, monitoring, logging, and security in AWS. • Prerequisite: AWS Certified Developer or SysOps Admin (recommended). • Why it’s great: High industry demand and directly tied to AWS ecosystem. 2. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) • Best for: Container orchestration and Kubernetes. • Covers: Cluster architecture, networking, deployments, troubleshooting. • Why it’s great: Kubernetes is a core DevOps technology. CKA proves strong hands-on skills. 3. HashiCorp Certified: Terraform Associate • Best for: Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Terraform. • Covers: Terraform basics, modules, state, lifecycle, and CLI usage. • Why it’s great: Terraform is a leading IaC tool used across cloud platforms. 4. Docker Certified Associate (DCA) • Best for: Containerization and Docker fundamentals. • Covers: Docker CLI, images, networking, volumes, orchestration. • Why it’s great: Validates container skills that are foundational to DevOps. 5. Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer Expert (Azure) • Best for: Engineers working in Azure environments. • Covers: Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure, testing, monitoring. • Why it’s great: Valuable if you’re in an Azure-heavy environment. 6. Google Professional DevOps Engineer • Best for: GCP-focused engineers. • Covers: Service reliability, CI/CD, SRE principles, security, compliance. • Why it’s great: Strong cloud-native DevOps focus with SRE angle. 7. Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) • Best for: Linux admins transitioning to DevOps. • Covers: Linux automation with Ansible, system administration, scripting. • Why it’s great: Strong foundation in automation and system management. ✅ Follow me 👉 https://lnkd.in/gkaR6btE ✅ Subscribe to Cloud & Capital — The free newsletter with weekly tools, courses & AI insights. 👉 https://lnkd.in/gvBEYVDB Let’s grow and learn together! 🙌 #DevOps #ContinuousIntegration #CI #CD #Automation #Monitoring #CloudComputing #Docker #AWS #GCP #CLOUD #Kubernetes #Agile

Certifications != Job But here’s what these top certs will help you with: – Structuring your learning around in-demand cloud skills – Building credibility for roles across engineering, security, architecture, and data – Showing employers your initiative and readiness for advanced cloud responsibilities – Preparing for cloud positions across AWS, Azure, GCP, and multi-cloud environments When picking a certification path: Look at the roles it helps you target, and the kind of impact you'll be able to make once you're in that role. Here are some of the top cloud certifications I see many people pursuing: 1. AWS Certified Solutions Architect Associate (SAA-C03) - Ideal For: Solution Architects, Cloud Engineers - Career Impact: High demand, multi-industry, builds core AWS skills 2. Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) - Ideal For: Azure Admins, Cloud Support Engineers - Career Impact: Fast-growing Azure market, enterprise opportunities 3. Google Professional Cloud Architect (PCA) - Ideal For: Cloud Architects, DevOps Engineers - Career Impact: Premium certification, great for architects 4. Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA) - Ideal For: DevOps, Cloud Native, Platform Engineers - Career Impact: Critical for containerized app deployment & management 5. HashiCorp Terraform Authoring and Operations Professional - Ideal For: DevOps, Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Engineers - Career Impact: Key for IaC roles, multi-cloud demand and more as listed in the image.. A few final points: → Choose your certifications based on your target role, not popularity → Prioritize hands-on practice alongside your study materials → Remember: certifications can open doors, but skills and experience will keep them open What cert are you aiming for next? Let me know below. If you find these tips useful.. • • • 🔔 Follow me (Vishakha) for more Cloud content ♻️ Share so more people can learn. Image source: kodekloud.com

The future of network automation is here—and it’s in the certification path. Cisco just finalized updates to the CCNP Automation and CCNA Automation exams—and the shift is significant. The new Designing, Deploying and Managing Network Automation Systems v2.0 (350-901) which is being released in February 2026 revamps the DevNet Professional. 🔹 CCNA Automation now officially includes pyATS, the framework I’ve been championing since 2019. 🔹 CCNP Automation now allocates 20% of the exam to AI, with specific focus on: Right from the blueprint: "Construct an MCP server to provide network information to an AI-agent using Python FastMCP Construct a conversational agent that leverages LLMs for network automation" This is exactly what I’ve been building over the last few years—tools that let us scale expertise, embed AI into network operations, and evolve automation beyond playbooks and templates - including MCPs - which I started using 4 months ago. In the video I just released, I walk through: ✅ A full MCP server + agent using FastMCP ✅ A subnet calculator integrated with VS Code ✅ A pyATS MCP server and AI client agent ✅ Why this matters to the industry and to YOU What I’ve been talking about for years—pyATS since 2019, AI agents since 2022—is now baked into the blueprint. 📍Don’t just watch the industry evolve. 📍Build with it. Learn it. Certify against it. 📍Start *now* the certification is released in a few short months and the industry itself has shifted The code can be found here on GitHub: https://lnkd.in/epKSW4gF The video can be found here - it is about 30 minutes long - an appropriate amount of content for almost 20% of the new exam: https://lnkd.in/eYerdEYb * Disclaimer: I no longer work for Cisco / Learn at Cisco; these are my own private opinions; I have zero input on the exam questions or content to study for said questions; I have based my video and code on the exam blueprints and my 20 year history of failing and passing Cisco exams; I am doing this because I believe MCP and AI Agents on the CCNP Automation in 2026 is as important as OSPF on the CCNP Professional a decade earlier and want to see people succeed ** Thank you! For everyone who has believed in my work! It is pretty crazy seeing exam topics related to the subjects I love #Cisco #CCNP #pyATS #NetworkAutomation #AI #MCP #LLM #Certification #CCNA #DevNet #FastMCP #AutomationEngineer

The fastest way to grow your data career? Pick the right certification for the right job role, not just any certification. Most beginners waste months chasing random certs. Top performers do the opposite, they follow a role-aligned path. Here is a crisp breakdown of the best certifications for every major data job role and what they help you achieve. 1. Data Engineer The certifications that teach you cloud pipelines, big-data systems, and scalable ETL. Google PDE, AWS Data Engineer (NEW), Azure DP-203, Databricks DE, Snowflake SnowPro. 2. Data Scientist Perfect for deep learning, ML modeling, and hands-on research. IBM DS, TensorFlow Developer, Google ML Engineer, Azure DP-100. 3. Machine Learning Engineer Focused on deployment, GPUs, and production-grade ML workflows. AWS ML Specialty, NVIDIA DLI, Google ML Engineer, Databricks ML Pro. 4. Data Analyst Covers SQL, dashboards, business insights & reporting. Google DA, IBM DA, Microsoft PL-300, Tableau Specialist. 5. BI Developer For those building enterprise dashboards and analytics systems. PL-300, Tableau CA, Looker Developer, Qlik Architect. 6. Data Architect High-level cloud architecture and enterprise data strategy. AWS SA, Google Architect, Snowflake Architect, Azure Architect Expert. 7. Database Administrator For SQL, NoSQL, and cloud database mastery. SQL Server, Oracle OCP, MongoDB DBA, PostgreSQL Pro. 8. MLOps Engineer Production pipelines, CI/CD for ML, monitoring & automation. AWS ML Specialty, Google MLE, Azure MLOps, Databricks ML Engineer. Choosing the correct certification for your target role can accelerate your career 5× faster than collecting random badges. Certifications do not get you hired, skills + job-aligned proof of expertise do.

Automation careers aren’t hype—they’re built on solid numbers. Here’s what the data shows. 🌍 Market Growth You Can’t Ignore - The industrial automation market reached $196.9B in 2024 and is forecast to grow to $372.7B by 2032, a CAGR of ~8.3% - Another study projects growth from $169.8B in 2025 to $443.5B by 2035, about 9.1% CAGR ➡ Not a fad. it’s a global backbone supporting multiple other sectors. 🎓 What Schools & Certs Are Doing - Community colleges and trade schools continue pumping out mechatronics and automation grads with solid technician-level training. - Four-year degrees in automation or controls engineering are expanding—but often miss emerging topics like IIoT and cybersecurity. Certifications are gaining traction: - ISA CCST (Certified Control Systems Technician): A three-level credential showing mastery in calibration, loop tuning, and control-tech fundamentals - ISA CAP (Certified Automation Professional): A respected credential for engineers covering software, integration, and lifecycle management - Vendor-based credentials (Rockwell Logix, Drives & Motion) combine hands-on training with industry-recognized certification 💵 Pay & Job Growth Electrical Controls Technician: - Median hourly wage: $31.97 (~$66,500/year) as of June 2025  on BLS - Job growth: Technicians generally align with a broader field (electrical/electronics), projected at +3% from 2023–2033 (BLS) ⚡️Electrical/Controls Engineer: - Median annual wage: $111,910 as of May 2024  - Projected employment growth: +9% (2023–2033), about 19,000+ annual openings  🔧 What It All Means - Technician roles are still in demand, fueled by growth in manufacturing and digitalization. - Engineers who bridge PLCs + IIoT + Cybersecurity are particularly sought-after right now. - Investing in certifications alongside formal education isn’t a luxury, it’s a strategic edge in today’s market. 🧭 Bottom Line - Automation is expanding and evolving faster than ever. - Education is catching up but it’s certifications and self-driven learning that fill critical gaps. - If you’re building automation systems and are learning new skills related to the field, you’ll have skills that are highly sought after. #IndustrialAutomation #ControlsEngineer #PLCProgramming #AutomationTechnician #Mechatronics #EngineeringEducation #IIoT #SmartManufacturing #CareerGrowth #Certification #innovation #technology #engineering

I get asked about what certifications are good to pursue in Controls and Automation.. This isn’t a complete catalog, just a guide to help navigate what’s out there and what’s worth the time. Some will say they went an entire 30yrs without them, well thats great for them, but we're talking about YOU. Udemy can be a great place to start if you’re short on budget, but you should always personally budget for your own development. Don’t wait for a company to invest in you. They should, but if they don’t, you push through then find an employer that does. Certifications carry weight, especially when you don’t yet have a large portfolio of completed projects to stand on. They show initiative, validate skills, and open doors, particularly in competitive or specialized environments. And if someone tries to tell you that certifications don’t matter? Stop listening to them. Return to manufacturer. That one's defective. There are a lot of those out there. So here’s rule #1: learn how to discern. 1. SCADA / HMI / Automation Platforms Ignition SCADA Certification (Core, Gold, Integrator) Aveva (Wonderware) Developer & System Platform Certs FactoryTalk View SE/ME (Rockwell) GE iFIX / Cimplicity 2. PLC / DCS / Industrial Control Systems Rockwell Automation Certifications (ControlLogix, Studio 5000, FT View) Siemens Certifications (TIA Portal, S7-1500/1200, PCS7) Mitsubishi, Omron, Beckhoff, Schneider Electric Certs 3. Networking / Cybersecurity (OT-Focused) Cisco CCNA (or Industrial Networking-specific versions) CompTIA Network+ / Security+ ISA/IEC 62443 Cybersecurity Certificate OPC UA / MQTT Sparkplug B training 4. Programming / Scripting Python Certifications (PCAP, PCEP) PowerShell Training – Critical for Windows-based OT environments Command Prompt (CMD) Scripting MATLAB Training (if you're moving toward modeling or simulation) 5. Server / Systems / Virtualization Microsoft Certifications (Windows Server, SQL Server, Active Directory) VMware Certified Professional (VCP) AWS / Azure Cloud Fundamentals OSIsoft PI System Certification 6. Electrical / Safety NFPA 70E Electrical Safety in the Workplace Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) Training TÜV Functional Safety Engineer (SIS or Machinery) Electronics Technician Certification (ETA, IPC, etc.) 7. Design / Drafting / CAD AutoCAD Electrical Certification EPLAN Certification 8. Project / Team Leadership Project Management Professional (PMP) – Gold standard, very useful for large projects Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) – Cheaper, for those with less experience Lean Six Sigma (Green Belt / Yellow Belt) – For process improvement projects 9. General / Cross-Disciplinary Certified Control Systems Technician (CCST - ISA) ISA Certified Automation Professional (CAP) Electronics Systems Technician (EST) OSHA 10/30 Hour General Industry Training NCCER Industrial Instrumentation & Electrical Certifications Robotics Certifications (FANUC, Yaskawa, UR, etc.)

Civil engineering salaries are climbing. With labor shortages hitting the industry hard, firms are raising pay to attract and keep talent. Project managers and licensed engineers are seeing some of the biggest jumps. But here’s the kicker: passing your FE or PE exam can be the single best lever to accelerate your earning potential. Why? Licensure sets you apart in a competitive market. It unlocks leadership roles that carry bigger responsibility - and bigger paychecks. It shows clients and employers you’re serious about competence and ethics. If you’re on the fence about scheduling your exam, remember: the market is moving now. Don’t wait for conditions to be “perfect.” Your license is one of the surest ways to future-proof your career. For those who already earned your PE, how did it impact your career progression - or your paycheck?

Putting Off Your FE Exam? Here's Why You Shouldn't... I just spoke with a talented young engineer who's been delaying taking the FE exam to earn his EIT certification. While he’s bright and capable, not having this credential can significantly limit career growth, opportunities, and perception in the engineering community. Here’s why getting your EIT early matters: ◾ Career Advancement: Earning your EIT sets a clear path toward your Professional Engineer (PE) license. Without it, you're effectively putting a ceiling on your professional progression. ◾ Marketability: Many companies view the EIT as a baseline qualification. Not having it can immediately put you at a disadvantage when competing against peers who have taken this important step. ◾Professional Credibility: Your EIT credential signals seriousness and commitment to employers and colleagues alike. It can affect how you're perceived professionally, potentially limiting trust and responsibility placed on you. If you're an engineer at the start of your career, don't delay your FE exam. Prioritize earning your EIT certification early, your future self will thank you. I'd love to hear from experienced engineers, how important has having your EIT or PE been for your career advancement ?

𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒀𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝑷𝑬? 𝑫𝒐 𝑰𝒕! As a recruiter, I speak to numerous engineer candidates, and one question I hear often is: “Should I get my PE?” 𝒀𝒆𝒔, 𝒂𝒃𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒍𝒚! There are obvious professional reasons to pursue your PE license - such as ensuring public safety and gaining the legal authority to sign and seal engineering documents. These are fundamental aspects of our profession, and the PE reflects a commitment to both technical expertise and ethical responsibility. But for me, the decision to pursue my PE went beyond the professional. As an engineer who obtained my license 10 years after college, it was a deeply personal goal—one I worked hard to achieve. That sense of accomplishment alone made it worth it. Beyond personal satisfaction, the PE license has opened doors throughout my career that otherwise would have stayed firmly shut. While not all companies require a PE license, many career opportunities, especially those involving leadership, project ownership, or regulatory work simply aren’t available without it. 𝘏𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘐 𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘶𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦: * 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭 – shows your commitment to professional and ethical standards, earning trust from employers, peers, and clients. * 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 – Many companies prioritize licensed engineers for leadership roles or specialized projects. * 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 – Whether you want to start your own consulting firm or take on independent projects, the PE is your ticket to independence. * 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 – Beyond the professional perks, earning your PE is a milestone that speaks to your dedication and expertise. If you’re thinking about pursuing your PE, my advice is simple: 𝑫𝒐 𝒊𝒕. Even if it doesn’t feel immediately necessary in your current role, you’ll be glad you have it when opportunities arise later. Trust me—it’s a door-opener you’ll carry with you for life. What’s your take on the PE license? If you’re considering it or have already achieved it, I’d love to hear your story in the comments! #EngineerRecruitingEngineers #PELicense #Engineering