There is no definite answer to whether IT certifications are worth pursuing. Some professionals are of the opinion that experience matters the most and certifications do not add much value to their array of skills. On the other hand, others believe that the IT industry is highly dynamic and one needs to do something unique compared to the crowd to stand out and grab the best opportunities available in the job market. The latter ones consider certification as the best way to demonstrate their newly developed technical skills.
Now when we talk about programming languages, developers are spoilt for choices. Today, a number of powerful programming languages are evolving and offer various advanced features to meet the needs of businesses. But if you look at the top of the programming languages pyramid, you will find Python leading. It has surpassed many other popular languages to become the most widely used language among developers. Today, you will find many aspiring software developers taking a Python certification course to become proficient in using it and become job-ready.
Now, as mentioned in the beginning, if you too are skeptical about achieving a Python certificate, then this article is for you. We will give you the top reasons why pursuing a Python certificate is worth achieving for better career growth. But first, we will make you familiar with the different types of certifications available for Python programming.
Different Python Certifications
Python certification is a kind of credential or acknowledgment of your skills in this language. Similar to how one is awarded a graduate degree by completing a full-time college program, a Python certification is awarded to a candidate who takes an online/offline Python course as proof of one’s developed skills. These certificates can be used by employers to decide whether to hire you or not.
Now one of the ways people achieve a Python certification is by completing an online course. Edtech firms like Simplilearn, DataCamp, edX, Coursera, and Udacity offer comprehensive online training programs on Python. Such courses usually require a candidate to complete all the video lectures covered in them and complete the necessary assignments or industry projects at the end. When the project work is successfully evaluated, candidates are awarded a Python certificate.
Now, apart from the courses, Python certificates are also awarded to professionals who clear a particular exam and demonstrate their Python expertise. Some of the popular ones are:
- Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer (PCEP)
- Certified Associate in Python Programming (PCAP)
- Certified Professional in Python Programming (PCPP)
The exams for the above certifications test your knowledge in Python fundamentals, operators, looping, control statements, fundamentals of OOP, Python libraries, file processing, metaprogramming, and so on. The exam duration is 45 minutes for PCEP, and 65 minutes each for PCAP and PCPP. The passing score for all of them is 70%. You get certified upon passing the exam successfully.
Reasons to Achieve a Python Certificate
Here are the top reasons why achieving a Python certificate is worth your time and effort.
- Python consists of a large number of features and no person can claim to have mastered it entirely. A certification limits your Python syllabus and you learn only what is required for different jobs. For example, a web developer doesn’t need to know about Python libraries that are dedicated to machine learning or data science.
- A certificate demonstrates your seriousness towards the job and increases your credibility. Employers will count on you whenever they get projects that involve using Python language.
- When you are looking for better career opportunities, a Python certificate will help you gain a competitive edge. Hiring managers use a certificate as the first screening tool and your odds of getting hired will increase.
- Companies are having a hard time finding the right candidate for their Python developer positions. Many professionals claim to be well-versed in Python but fail to convince the employers during interviews due to their limited knowledge. In such a case, a Python certification will convince employers that you have already gone through a rigorous process of getting certified and gaining the right skills.
- A Python certificate can improve your salary prospects as well. Python developers already command high salaries. With a certification, you will be better positioned to ask for a pay raise and promotion on the job.
- Lastly, a certification is a great motivator for self-improvement and self-development. It gives a chance to an individual to know where they are in their learning process.
Wrap Up
The above-mentioned reasons are enough to lure you into pursuing a Python certificate. If you are working in the IT industry, you need to keep on updating your skills and demonstrate them. Then why not learn a language that has a bright future and polish your skills through a certificate program. Both the options of getting certified discussed in this article are good for your career and you can choose any of them based on your specific learning needs. With an online course, you will not have to look for study materials and start your learning right away.
