Zend Certified Engineer

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The_Anomaly
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Location: Tirana, Albania

Zend Certified Engineer

Post by The_Anomaly »

Hey guys,

It's been a while since I've been on these forums, due to my undergrad applications and a pretty severe course load during my Sr. year of HS. I just got accepted to Case Western Reserve University today, so I'm pretty excited. Anyway, I've been trying to think of ways to help pay for the tuition, which leads me to the reason I'm posting.

I've been working in PHP for the past year or so, and in web programming in general for about three years. If any of you guys remember my posts from a while back, I'm not an expert at the language, but I've constantly striven to improve my code, techniques, and OOP usage. I've currently developed several sites (ex: http://www.vertovita.com ), and work as a security/design consultant for an Albanian company known as amtek. However, when I move to university, I wont' have a job at Amtek anymore, so I'm wondering about getting a part time job in the States.

Since I don't have any university training at the time, I'm wondering how I can make my job application a bit juicier. I have a bit of a portfolio, but I was thinking about certification. So, I ask, how much meaning does Zend Certification have for a potential employer? Does it really prove to the guy that I'm more than an amateur coder who's read a few php books? Or is it just more of an ego thing to post on your blog and show off.

Basically, how much will a Zend Certification help me if I were to try to get a job during university?

Thanks.

EDIT: Please note that I'm referring to the Zend PHP 5 examination, not the Framework certification.
alex.barylski
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Re: Zend Certified Engineer

Post by alex.barylski »

Basically, how much will a Zend Certification help me if I were to try to get a job during university?
I have never heard nor have I known anyone that got a job on that merit alone. On the contrary I have known most developers to find work based on past open source projects and previous work experience.

Start a library...project, etc...I wouldn't waste my money on any certification in software development...it proves nothing really except for an aptitude to remember syntax and API. Nothing I (or anyone else) couldn't figure out by:

1. Searching PHP.net
2. Trying the code

Cheers,
Alex
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John Cartwright
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Re: Zend Certified Engineer

Post by John Cartwright »

I would definitely start an opensource project, or better yet, contribute to an existing one (preferably one with some weight/significance).

I have interviewed a few people that have received their Zend certifications, and oddly enough have yet to be impressed by any of the candidates. Personally, I could care less whether they have a certification or not.
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The_Anomaly
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Re: Zend Certified Engineer

Post by The_Anomaly »

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to look for an OS project I can work on. Does anyone have any recommendations?
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onion2k
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Re: Zend Certified Engineer

Post by onion2k »

Get a job in a bar. You'll pull loads of women.
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Luke
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Re: Zend Certified Engineer

Post by Luke »

I have always had the same opinion as the other posters here, but recently I was offered a position by a very prestigious PHP API development shop and they require that you either have a degree or are certified, so I am studying up right now to get certified. So far everything I have read in the study guide is stuff I already know, so I would say if you are a good programmer and you've been developing real world applications in PHP for a few years, you'll pass the test with even the most minimal studying. I'll probably be taking the test in about a week or so and if they hire me I'll be reimbursed.

After I take the test I'll let ya know how it goes.
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