On Tue, 27 Sep 2005 09:20:55 -0400 Paul Edwards <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


> In my email inbox recently was the message shown below from the
> HP Certification Program Manager and a similar message
> concerning my HP Star certifications. 
> 
> 
> ********************************************************
> 
> Dear HP Certified Professional: We show that you currently hold
> the following certification: · MPE/iX System Administration This
> credential has been expired, which means it is no longer
> recognized by the HP Certified Professional Program and will no
> longer be maintained. ACTION ITEM If this is the only credential
> you hold in the HP Certified Professional Program, you will no
> longer hold the title of "HP Certified Professional". We highly
> recommend that you pursue one of the active credentials currently
> supported by our Program....
> 
> Regards,
> Rich Gossman
> Manager, Americas HP Certified Professional Program
> 

Which demonstrates exactly why pursuing commercial certification of 
ones professionalism is a fools game.  A commercial entity can 
always change the rules to suit their immediate interests, and if 
that interest is extracting more money from those that exalt 
meaningless pieces of paper than that is what they will do.  Better 
to get a B.Sc. or B. Eng. or a community college diploma than to 
pour money into a designation that (in my experience) is frequently 
viewed with considerable skepticism.

I can only comment on my somewhat dated experience, but having 
examined the portfolios and C.V.s of over 1300 candidates for 
programming positions I was singularly underwhelmed by the 
qualities exhibited by most, and ALL of them had MS certified 
designations of one form or another because the firm I was engaged 
by made it a requirement.

In fact, that sad experience brought to mind a phrase I once wrote 
in a previous existence: "The presence of this individual in the 
service calls in to question the rigour with which intake and 
performance requirements are applied at our recruiting and training 
centres."

Sincerely,
Jim

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James B. Byrne                Harte & Lyne Limited
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