Career and Software Industry

When we dream about starting our career insoftware industry. Even when we meet in a social
software industry, we think of landing up in agathering and come across a friend, we generally
programming or development role. Some of usask a question "Which language you are working
start learning programming languages like Java,into?" By making this perception and assumption,
JSP, EJB, .Net. VB etc and some pursuewe ignore many other valuable job functions in
certifications like SCJP (Sun Certified Javasoftware industry in the absence of which the
Programmer), MCSD (Microsoft Certifiedprobability of getting an interview call becomes
Software Developer), SCJD (Sun Certified Javavery low. Here are a few important job functions
Developer) etc. many of us speculate about(other than programming/coding)o Software
forthcoming so called "Hot Technologies" andQuality Assuranceo Software Testingo System
make effort to learn the skills required for thisNetwork Administrationo Server Administrationo
new technology. After all this hard work andOnline Marketingo Web Mastero Web Designero
effort which consumes significant amount of timeFlash Developer
and money, we start applying for a suitable jobThe above mentioned job functions have a very
for a programmer or developer position. Resumestrong potential and huge growth opportunities.
is circulated among friends, friends of friendsThe salary packages are also decent and
& relatives networks. Resume in all thesometimes higher than their programmer
famous job search portals like or is posted andcounterpart.
regularly updated. The regular updating is done toNow after choosing the right direction to go
ensure that our resumes stay in top in all theahead, we should have strong skills and
employer searches. Only very few of us arecompetencies. Having globally recognized
fortunate enough to get interview calls and finallycertificates like CSQA (Certified Software Quality
make it to the desired job. What happens toAnalyst), CSTE (Certified Software Test
others? Why do the rest of us not receive anyEngineer), MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems
interview call? Is there anything wrong with ourEngineer), CCNA (Cisco Certified Network
resume?Associates), RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer),
Any Guesses....?CIW (Certified Internet Web Professional),
For those who thought of "attitude" and "being" ofMMCPs(Macromedia Certified Professionals) etc,
the person who is applying have got the rightgreatly enhance our chances of being short listed
answer. The second thing is the perception ofand filtered out. If we have strong programming
going in to "Programming" field. Well for all myskills and have demonstrated that in some of our
programmers' friends or those who have gotprojects, then having certifications like SCJP (Sun
strong programming skills and mindset, I would likeCertified Java Programmer), SCWCD (Sun
to tell that I am not against programming. ICertified Web Component Developer), MCSD
myself started my career as a Java Programmer(Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer), IBM XML
and produced extraordinary results. My only ideaDeveloper, IBM UML and many others will
of writing this article is to educate those whodefinitely add value to our portfolio. The process
need a start or those who are struggling inof preparing for the certification and getting
getting a job such that people get a faircertified itself, adds a lot of value to our career.
understanding of what is available in the softwareI hope I have communicated my message. In my
industry and which field they should take in whichnext articles, I would write about the way to
they are passionate and have the potential toprepare and achieve for some of the prestigious,
produce breakthrough results.respected and worldwide recognized certifications
To take forward the perception of Programming,Looking forward for the comments/suggestions
we think that this is the only respectable job infeedbacks.