This was my response to a post on the Python-Brasil list about the importance of certifications.

A few years ago, I hired over 100 IT professionals… developers in C++, Java, testers etc. During this period, I learned not to trust any diploma whatsoever.

I hired people from private universities who were better than those from federal or state universities, although this was not the rule, but an exception. If the person hiring is the same one who will work with you, for example your future boss, he looks for someone who can solve his problems, and leaves the diploma and certificate to the HR department to check. I knew many good people who didn’t have a university degree, but that was rare and not the norm. For some IT positions, having a university degree is a luxury… for others it’s absolutely necessary. I know that for network administration, certification is fundamental.

This was my response to a post on the Python-Brasil list about the importance of certifications.

A few years ago, I hired over 100 IT professionals… developers in C++, Java, testers etc. During this period, I learned not to trust any diploma whatsoever.

I hired people from private universities who were better than those from federal or state universities, although this was not the rule, but an exception. If the person hiring is the same one who will work with you, for example your future boss, he looks for someone who can solve his problems, and leaves the diploma and certificate to the HR department to check. I knew many good people who didn’t have a university degree, but that was rare and not the norm. For some IT positions, having a university degree is a luxury… for others it’s absolutely necessary. I know that for network administration, certification is fundamental.