LabView Certifications

[jon_mcbee]

This may not be the right place in the forum to ask this question, but do you see the LabView certifications as being worth while.  I am looking into getting certified and have noticed that not very many people are (atleast in Colorado where I work).  Is this because certifications do not hold much weight, because being certified cost $$$ or because there is such a high demand for labview programmers that being certified is more of a luxury than a necessity?  Any thoughts?

Cheers!

[tbob]

I think that there aren't that many jobs that actually require certification.  So if it isn't required, people tend not to pursue it.  However, some companies will require certification, or the ability to obtain it.  I think if it came down to you and someone else for a great position, the one with the certification would win out over one without cert.  So in my opinion it is worth while.  I am taking the test next week.  I hope I don't blow it.  I've heard it takes most people 2 or 3 tries.  I know about 6 people who have the developer cert, and only one of them passed on the first try.

[jon_mcbee]

Wow, it seems to me that you are correct.  It also seems that as more people start to learn LabView being certified will become more and more of a necessity.  Is it true that before you can become a certified developer you must first become a certified associate developer?  I am guessing that the difficulty between CLAD, CLD and Architect is exponential, how hard is the CLAD exam?

Cheers!

[Matthew_Kelton]

The answer is it depends.  If you can find employment without the certifications and it is not holding you back, then you may have no need to get it.  If Colorado does not have a large supply of certified developers and architects, then, more than likely, you're not going to have too many companies requiring it, as they would be hard pressed to find local talent.  But, if you could find yourself at a disadvantage if a CLD or CLA was applying for the same job you were.

I had been thinking for some time to get my CLD, but the reason I ended up getting it is that NI requires Alliance members to have at least one certified employee.  Now, if I were to be hiring someone for the company and that person wanted top dollar and claimed to have the experience, they better be a CLD or CLA.  I would be willing to hire non-CLD/A people, as there are many talented individuals without certification, but would be extremely hesitant to give them top pay until I knew they could do the job.  I would probably require the CLAD for anyone.

I once did a contract with someone who claimed to have 10 years experience with LV.  He was the worst LV programmer I have ever worked with.  I think I was writing better LV code 6 mos. after I started.

NI certifications are not yet to the level of Microsoft/Cisco/etc. certifications, where almost all employers will expect it.  Whether it's because the certification program hasn't taken off yet, or employers don't know about it, I have no clue. 

[Matthew_Kelton]

As part of the CLD program, you must take the CLAD first and pass it.  It is a multiple choice test.  You can find an example test and take a free online test here.  Anyone you has programmed in LV more than a few years should be able to pass it with little effort.  If I recall correctly, you only have to get 70% of the questions right to pass.

For the CLD, they have guide and sample tests here.  I would suggest doing the sample tests.  If you struggle with those, you will have trouble passing the exam.

I haven't taken the CLA, but info about it is here.

[jon_mcbee]

I appreciate your info.  I am just beginning to prepare for the CLAD exam, my company bought the text for the LabView Basics 1 and 2 courses.  I have been programming in LabView as my job for the last three years and going through these books is painful.  I think I will huntdown that practice exam and see what it is like, if nothing else it well help me to concentrate my studies on areas that need it.  My end goal is the CLD certification, as you mentioned having the certification is the only way for a prospective employer to compare you to other candidates.

Cheers!

[Dennis_Knutson]

jmcbee,

Where in Colorado are you? I'm working in Boulder. Actually, I'm only working in Boulder for one more day. Any openings where you are? See this. I have something else lined up but it's a bit of drive. Appreciate any leads you might have.

[Matthew_Kelton]

One thing to remember for the CLD is NI's guide to programming.  If you have adapted it to your own needs, or hate it and don't program that way, you need to accept that for the exam, it is what they expect.  You can write a VI that works but still fail the exam.

One thing to NOT do - change the monitor resolution at the Test PC.  I always use the highest resolution possible on my monitors, and the test facility has their monitor at 800x600.  I changed it to 1280x1024 and went to work.  I guess the NI grader didn't have that monitor resolution, because I was docked points for my block diagrams not fitting on the monitor.  They did fit on the one I wrote them on.

[jon_mcbee]

Dennis,

I am working if Fort Collins.  I am not sure what our needs are for labview programming as I am not the high man on the totem poll, you are welcome to check out the company website.  Sorry I cant be of more help.

Cheers!

[jon_mcbee]

I do appreciate all of the tips!  Did you take any of the offered NI courses or are you going at armed with nothing but your own programming experience?  It seems like the courses NI offers, while expensive, may shed light on what to expect for the exam.  Of course there are always the practice exams.

Cheers!