Date:         Wed, 23 Jul 2003 11:50:02 -0600
Reply-To:     Michael Murff <MurffMJ@LDSCHURCH.ORG>
Sender:       "SAS(r) Discussion" <SAS-L@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
From:         Michael Murff <MurffMJ@LDSCHURCH.ORG>
Subject:      Re: Preparing for SAS Advanced Programmer's certificate
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

 
The value of SAS certification should simply depend mostly upon the extent to which exam preparation incentivizes one to learn how to program. SAS syntax is pretty easy to get a handle on; what is more difficult to measure is one's acumen for programming, ie. the logic and analytics of problem solving. Learning the syntactical rules of SAS, C, or Java is a relatively trivial matter of knowing where to look things up. What is much harder is learning how to approach a computing problem, how to break it down into smaller components, and how to implement a logical solution with code. If classes and tests can aide in this latter aim, then they are probably worth the money. 
 
What's more, degrees and certifications are a way for applicants to _signal_ employees about their true (unobservable) productive ability. Imagine a job with 100 applicants (not too far-fetched in the current economy); when the HR folks are sifting through the pile they will probably view cert. as a _marginal_ advantage, all else equal. That is, cert. applicants stand a better chance of getting an interview in the first place? From an economic perspective, certification seems to make sense. From a programming perspective, however, it probably is a very crude measure indeed.
 
Finally, the knowledge and economic value arguments for cert. probably do not apply to senior positions which are staffed by gurus and seasoned experts. Such jobs are probably won more for one's cache as a programmer, one's contacts and recommendations, and other intangibles like "fit." If one is a serious candidate for jobs like "Senior Research Scientist" or "Data Analyst IV" one has sufficient experience and expertise to perhaps (rightfully) scoff at cert. I think this is why a lot of the more experienced, vocal guys on the 'L' are pooh-poohing the idea of certification. 
 
Mike Murff'
SLC, Utah


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