Mala Gupta

Imagine you need to undergo a robotic surgery. The surgeon is experienced and qualified but has no credentials with robotic equipment for surgery. Would you still move forward with the robotic surgery with that surgeon? Unless I was convinced of the surgeon’s skills on robotic equipment, I wouldn’t.

Taking the analogy further, how would you ascertain a candidate’s skills before adding them to your critical projects? A university degree in computer science is not enough. The gap in skills gained through a university curriculum and a job’s requirements is wide.

Independent skill training organizations are stepping in to bridge this gap. But it is not enough. Who would measure the quality of their content and how? This is where the industry steps in.

An apt metaphor would be the touchstone—the wonderstone used in ancient times to measure the purity of gold and other precious metals that were used as currency. A metal coin was rubbed against a dark siliceous stone like jasper, and a colorful residue would be indicative of the metal’s purity.

Organizations like Oracle have defined these benchmarks in the form of professional certifications, to play the role of touchstones, measuring IT skills in a standardized manner.

People often ask whether these professional certifications are necessary for computer science graduates or postgraduates. Has the university curriculum covered the content already? Here one needs to put the short-term and long-term objectives in perspective. Graduation or postgraduation in computer science at a university can be a strategic choice to chalk out a long-term career path, whereas earning professional certifications are tactical choices to gain proven skills in technologies that need to be applied in immediate projects and achieve short-term goals.

Professional certifications in Java by the Oracle Corporation are in great demand. They are awarded when a candidate meets the defined requirements. Depending on the certification, a candidate may be required to complete a course or project, or pass an examination. The purpose is to establish that the individual is qualified to hold certain types of positions or work on certain projects. Certified skills bridge the gap between their existing skills and skills required by the industry, resulting in a higher rate of success on projects. These certifications are regularly updated.

Oracle offers multiple options in Java certifications, which define topics and a pathway to be followed by developers. Developers can choose the right certification as per their interest.

Validated skills establish the credibility of an individual’s ability in programming in a particular language or their understanding of a platform, methodology, or practice to prospective employers. They help professionals to clear the initial hurdle of résumé reviews and selections for interviews.

Java certifications help an individual advance in their career. When people are searching for jobs and organizations and teams are trying to find talent with verified skills, these certifications can be a first step.