[thelist] CIW Web Certification

Steve,
Thanks again for all of the useful feedback!

>From my perspective the certification doesn't mean much. I say this because
I've never met anyone who has it and never seen an job posting asking for
it.
Yes, I'm aware of this, though I've been hearing more and more about
companies that want professionals with more of a "standard" fundamental
knowledge that is generally accepted, so that they don't waste their time
hiring, then training the wrong people.  I could be wrong.  PCU isn't the
only school to offer the CIW, but currently (in my area) offer more than one
track.  The other school, Executrain
(http://www.executrain.com/html/itpro_et_advantage_cert_fast.cfm), also
offers the CIW, and they have a much slicker website.  I'm wondering what
the Evolters think about it, so please take a look.  If you scroll down on
the referenced page, you'll find the information about the CIW.

>>What I would be more concerned with is whether or not they can deliver on
>>the promises they are making to teach you:
I got a good feeling about the people that I spoke with at the school during
and after the seminar, and I've gone back another time to clear up some
confusion I had about the curriculum.  They claim to go beyond teaching the
material, but making sure that you come out with a *skill* level knowledge.
I haven't decided anything 100%.  I am now swaying toward taking classes at
our Johnson County Community College.  They offer several classes that would
be useful for a much lower price, but it's also synchronized with the
college semester and would take a while to get through.  And, they don't
offer "certification" (smirk). It's all relative, I suppose.

> Server-side Scripting and Database Connectivity

>>(What type of scripting and Database Connectiivtiy? is it coiuld fusion,
>>PHP, ASP??)
The following is listed under the heading in my reference material,
 "Server-side Scripting and Database Connectivity"

Client-side and Server-side Scripting
HTTP Gateways
HTML Forms and Form Processing
CGI
CGI Alternatives:
  Server Programming Interface, Proprietary Scripting Solution and Java
Servlets
Databases
Database Connectivity
Database Connectivity Implementations

>>Jeff and Ryan made good points. Look at the way in which their own web
site
>>was constructed. Pretty shabby. Really it's like applying to to work at a
>>newspaper and mis-spellig every word in your resume.
I completely agree with Jeff and Ryan.  I'm thinking of a way to tactfully
let them know.  I don't think the instructors have anything to do with the
site, though I could be wrong (again).   I mean,...really.  They get money
to teach classes outside of their regular professions.  The marketing
department is probably responsible for the site.  Not a good thing, I agree.

>>This isn't a bad curriculum. Again, though I'm concerned about the time
>>line, the pacing, and whether or not they can deliver.

>>I think the only way you will know for sure is to question people who have
>>attended to school and maybe the HR people at a company where you might
want
>>to put these skills to the test.
Thank you for this advise.  I hadn't thought of contacting an HR person at a
prospective company at this point in the game.


> "The CIW Internet skills certification program is recognized and endorsed
by
> the top three Internet professional associations:
> ?        International Webmasters Association (IWA)
http://www.iwanet.org/

> ?        Association of Internet Professionals (AIP)
http://www.association.org/

> ?        Internet Certification Institute International (ICII)
http://www.association.org/
I haven't really checked out their sites, yet, but tomorrow I plan to do
just that.  It was nice and easy finding their sites in a simple search, so
I left them here for you and everyone to check out.  I would think that
everyone on this list would want to see them since these are people
supposedly setting a standard for others to follow.  The internet is in
constant motion, so perhaps this all part of the natural evolution...geez, I
don't know.  I'd love to hear what you think.

I've never heard of any of these organizations (should I be embarassed,
folks??). I do think it is funny that they have to explain that endorsement
by these groups is a good thing. It's like saying, "Go see Mission
Impossible 2, Jeff Singer who knows a lot about movies says you should."
=)
By the way, I've been using the evolt.org site more than ever, though I
haven't reviewed the discussion mentioned about certification.  I'm sorry if
I brought up an already discussed subject.  Aardvark busted me again.  It
seems I'm always breaking some rule on this list I so adore!  :)
Best regards,
Janet