DEVOPSdigest

Are Kubernetes certifications the right thing for you? Maybe certifications are just worthless pieces of paper with a high price tag and hours of studying things you will never practically use on the job.

I often hear arguments for and against certifications in the technology community.

To be clear, there is never an entirely right or utterly wrong answer. Instead, a proper answer will always contain the phrase "it depends."

Why Get Certified at All?

One cannot argue against the fact that certifications are precisely that: something you can put up on your wall and frame. They do not always reflect real-world experience and expertise. Furthermore, there are countless dump sites out there on the web that, for a fee, claim to provide you with actual test questions and answers.

Then there is the other side of the coin: Many companies use the certification process not as a way to validate their users' skill sets on their products but instead turn certification itself into a product.

Kubernetes seems to be no exception to this rule. The Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF) has created at least 5 certifications related to Kubernetes — CKA, CKS, CKAD, KCNA, KCNS — and while one can argue that the more entry-level certifications may be necessary for people who do not need to become deep experts in technology, it is hard to understand their decision to reduce the validity of their certifications from three years down to two. Reminder: in the past, only the CKS was a two-year certification, and the justification for that was related to the fact that the security landscape changes much more frequently than, say, the administrative one.

This would only be an annoyance if it were not for the fact that these certifications come at a steep price. The CKA, CKS, and CKAD are $395 USD, which is not affordable for many people. To be fair, the Linux Foundation often offers discounts, with Black Friday being one of the best, with 50% off sometimes offered. Nevertheless, for students or people whose companies won't pay for the certification, this is still not always an option.

The CNCF does allow people two shots at the exam. Not long ago, following suit Red Hat started offering this second chance as well, perhaps under the influenced of CNCF.

Lastly, having IT or Kubernetes certifications is no guarantee that you will instantly become employed. I have seen many posts from people who became certified, only to find that they are still on the job market for long periods of time seeking employment.

Did That Convince You? Hold on a Minute!

I purposely addressed all the negative aspects associated with certifications. Now, there should be no illusions about the cost and, at times, the questionable value of getting Kubernetes certifications from a career perspective.

However, if your goal is to become a stronger professional and a well-rounded specialist, then I highly recommend getting certified. On-the-job experience is priceless, but often, you are locked into working with only a certain group of technologies, and while you will no doubt become an expert in these areas, it does narrow your knowledge. By studying and practicing to pass a certification exam, you will undoubtedly have to venture into areas that you do not work with on a day-to-day basis, thereby expanding your plateau of understanding.

Another aspect of the certification process is the development of proper planning, scheduling, and study skills. To pass a certification exam like the CKA, you can't just show up and attempt to wing it. Like the two other CNCF exams, the CKAD and the CKS, it is a performance-based exam. You are given a problem, access to the command line, and then you have to create a solutions.

Time is another restriction, and the pressure of beating the clock to solve a CKA exam question is like pressure situations in production, where your boss keeps glancing over your shoulder and asking, "Is it fixed yet?" When production is down, you never get a multiple-choice question; you always have to figure it out now and fast.

So, it is not the piece of paper that you should celebrate or be proud of; it is all the work and repetition in getting past that finish line that has not only enhanced your character but solidified your foundation as a true all-around expert.

Ok, I Will Become Kubernetes Certified, but Which Certification Should I Choose?

Once you have decided to take a Kubernetes certification, you are faced with a choice. The CNCF not long ago introduced the KCNA and KCSA, which are seen as entry-level associate certifications. Unlike the CKA, CKAD, and CKS, these are multiple-choice.

KCNA

This is an entry-level certification. Great for people just starting or for those who want to be aware of Kubernetes but not take the deep dive of a CKA.

KCSA

Another entry-level certification, but this time focused on security.

CKA Certified Kubernetes Administrator

This is the gem of all Kubernetes certifications. It is a tough nut to crack, but you have two chances at it. The exam was even harder before the CNCF introduced the CKS exam.

CKAD

The Certified Kubernetes Application Developer certifications name is somewhat misleading as one might think that you are actually being tested on programming but that is not the case, instead this is focusing more on how to run your applications properly in Kubernetes.

CKS

The security exam. To be eligible for this one you need to have passed the CKA. It is a deep dive into Kubernetes Security.

Conclusion

IT certifications and Kubernetes Certifications are by no means the golden egg when it comes to your career or even your reputation as a top professional. However, they do provide significant value from a growth and learning standpoint. If you ask me "Should I get certified?" My answer would be an unequivocal yes!