Certifications - especially the globally accepted, accredited ones - are like the icing on the cake for qualified software engineers. It’s another explicit way of stating that you care about improving your current skills and staying updated on industry trends. While there are plenty of interesting software engineer certifications doing the rounds for both new as well as experienced developers, you need to pick the most relevant certification that will improve your marketability in the job market.
What exactly is a Software Engineering Certification?
Generally speaking, Software Engineer Certifications are certified courses or study programs that help tech professionals build and enhance their knowledge in the software realm. Several certifications are available for software engineers in the form of video lectures, quizzes, assignments and guided projects, among many others. Software engineers who set aside time to enroll for relevant certifications tend to gain a wider understanding of skills that are in demand. This is in comparison to those who do not have any certification related to IT or software development. Though not mandatory, obtaining more than one certification can improve the chances of getting the desired job role.
Top 10 Certifications for Software Engineers
For professional growth, a software engineer or developer needs to possess multiple skills in project management, data structure and algorithms, databases, programming languages, problem-solving and SDLC, among many others. The right certification for software engineers can work wonders, increasing a professional’s overall value in the job market.
Given below are the 10 best certifications for software engineers that will help reinforce a professional’s current knowledge base as well as skillset. The certifications listed below are extremely valuable and worth a mention in the professional resume as well as LinkedIn profile.
1. Google IT Automation with Python
This certification is offered by one of the most popular companies, Google. With the curriculum comprising 6 courses, it is a great choice for beginners as well as freshers and can be completed within a span of 6 to 8 months.
This professional certification for software engineers can help professionals gain in-depth knowledge in Python, troubleshooting, debugging, automation in real life, cloud and so forth.
Platform - Coursera
Rating - 4.8/5
2. Intro to Data Structures and Algorithms
Data Structures and Algorithms is an important skill for programmers and developers. It teaches how to handle data and where to apply them.
This is an intermediate certification offered by Google with 8 lessons and 1 practice interview. It can be accessed for free and completed within 30 days. By watching the visually-rich lessons, professionals can gain key points on technical interview queries while at the same time apply each in the practice interview session using Pramp. This software engineering certification helps to absorb information about graphs, trees, sorting, searching and algorithms.
Platform - Udacity
Rating - 4.5/5
3. Relational Databases and SQL
Databases are associated with the back-end of the system. This certification is designed for software engineers who love working with SQL or Databases.
This tech certification is provided by one of the most reputed universities, Stanford and can be completed within 2 to 3 weeks. Skills such as OLAP, semi-structured data, recursion, SQL, etc can be obtained easily upon successful completion of this certification for software engineers.
Platform - edX
Rating - 4.5/5
4. Software Development Lifecycle Specialization
SDLC represents the flow of the software cycle. Deciding the requirements, designing, developing, coding, testing, debugging and maintaining the system as well as budgeting are all the different phases in SDLC.
Dealing with risks and providing solutions to problems are necessary for any IT industry. This certification from the University of Minnesota will provide you with the essentials of SDLC. It consists of 4 different courses which can be completed within 4 months.
Platform - Coursera
Rating - 4.6/5
5. Introduction to Artificial Intelligence with Python
If you are an innovative person who loves creating new technologies then this AI certification for software engineers is a great pick for you. This software certification is 7 weeks long and is offered by the world's Number One university, Harvard. It helps expand the knowledge base on AI principles, optimization, reinforcement learning and intelligent systems.
Platform - edX
Rating - 4.7/5
6. Become a Certified HTML, CSS, JavaScript Web Developer
For all the web enthusiasts out there, this web-development certification is one of the best certifications for software engineers. It is being offered by highly qualified instructors from Udemy and can be completed within a month's time.
This certification provides much-needed exposure to multiple web development languages such as HTML, PHP, CSS, jQuery and JavaScript.
Platform - Udemy
Rating - 4.6/5
7. Introduction to Operating Systems
The purpose of the operating system is to manage Software and Hardware thereby providing services to computer applications. Hence, this certification can benefit all software professionals. It is an intermediate certification for budding software engineers and is offered by Georgia Tech, designed in such a way that it can be completed in 2 months.
Platform - Udacity
Rating - 4.5/5
8. Object-Oriented Programming in Java
OOPS in Java can be put to use while dealing with complex problems. It helps in the easy development of software thereby focusing on the maintenance of the system.
For all software developers, this specialization certificate is offered by Duke University and can be secured after undertaking 4 courses for a period of 5 months.
By the end of the course, you will have a great understanding of Java, logic programming, linked list, cryptography and OOPS, among many others.
Platform - Coursera
Rating - 4.7/5
9. Machine learning
Being a subfield of artificial intelligence, machine learning relies on data, algorithms as well as the efficiency of a system or software.
Georgia Tech's intermediate machine learning certification is designed for a period of 4 months and guarantees to impart skills on neural networks, decision trees, regression, clustering and game theory.
Platform - Udacity
Rating - 4.5/5
10. Google Project Management
Project management plays a crucial role in every organization. Its purpose is to build, plan and manage a project by fulfilling all the business strategies or goals.
Without project management, a lot of problems would arise. Hence, this certification by Google is built to deliver all the potent information on project management. It comprises of 6 courses lasting for 1 month each and imparts expertise in organizational culture, risk management, strategic thinking and agile project management.
Platform - Coursera
Rating - 4.9/5
Becoming a Certified Software Engineer
The ICCP-Institute of Certification of Computing Professionals is a great platform that conducts professional certification exams for engineers.
To become a certified software engineer, one must take the CERTIFIED SOFTWARE ENGINEER (CSE) test. This exam would benefit all creative software developers and software engineers by helping them stand out in their field.
The CSE exam is classified into 3 sections:
Information Systems Core Exam
Software Engineering Exam
?Object-Oriented Analysis & Design Exam
The payment for this exam is about $400 and is distributed in 3 parts – membership fee, exam fee and proctor fee. For study materials and help from the ICCP website, one needs to make an additional payment.
HiCounselor makes career dreams come true for job seekers as well as recruiters. While job seekers benefit from HiCounselor’s career accelerator program along with the coaching services from industry leaders employed at FAANG companies, recruiters join hands with HiCounselor to empower their hiring strategy and zero in on the best candidates. Learn more about HiCounselor here and reach out to us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.
https://discord.gg/GUPad7ETad