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What are the key differences between certification and education?

In today's changing skill development landscape, both certification and education play important roles. It's helpful to understand how they differ and relate to each other for your career growth.

Education: A Foundation of Knowledge:

Education serves as the cornerstone of learning, incorporating formal teaching and the growth of knowledge through schools, vocational programs, or online courses. It allows us to grasp essential concepts in different areas.

The educational journey encompasses classes, lectures, tests, and degrees, which together create a solid foundation of knowledge and improve critical thinking skills. In the end, it nurtures flexible professionals who make valuable contributions to their fields.

Other examples of certificates under Education;

  • Traditional certificates from academic institutions (BSc, MSc, etc)
  • Udemy certificate
  • Data Camp Course completion certificate
  • Coursera certificate of completion
  • CodeSignal
  • Cursa
  • ALX

If you have completed courses with either of these institutions, it is best added under the “Education” section on Andela Talent Cloud.

Certification: Specialized Validation of Skills:

Certification validates specific skills and industry standards, proving proficiency in a specific area rather than providing broad education.

These programs are practical, often involving assessments or hands-on demonstrations. Many professionals pursue certifications to confirm expertise, enhance job prospects, and stay updated in fast-paced fields like IT, project management, healthcare, and technical sectors.

Benefits of Tech Certifications:

  • Validation of Skills
  • Career Advancement
  • Industry Recognition
  • Current and Relevant Knowledge
  • Global Recognition

Examples of recognized Certifications:

  • CompTIA A+
  • Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect
  • Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect
  • Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
  • Project Management Professional (PMP)
  • Salesforce Certified Administrator
  • Certified Kubernetes Administrator (CKA)
  • Oracle Certified Professional (OCP)

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