Every so often the “is getting my CSWP worth it?” question crops up in one forum or another. Granted, should a potential employer gloss over the fact that a candidate has earned their CSWP, or not understand what the CSWP certification means, the whole question becomes moot, but let’s make a couple of assumptions so that I can continue with this post, ok? Good. The assumptions are that the employer knows, or finds out, what the CSWP is and the employer puts some stock into the CSWP. Yes, I realize that my conclusions will end up being lopsided, but if a potential employer doesn’t know anything about the certification or, worse yet, doesn’t put any stock in it, then there’s no point in going any further with this post. Right? (Then again, the CSWP only costs you time for the most part. At least that’s the case now. Back when I took it, it cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $500 and 8 hours of your time. That’s when the whole “is it worth it” question really had merit. At the most, you may end up having to pay $99 if you flunk it the first time around. Chump change, but I digress. )
The more I think about it, the more I question whether there’s actually an answer. I know that for me, having the CSWP has opened doors, especially where I don’t have a degree. I realize that all it says is “this guy is a CAD jockey”, but when it’s coupled with my other experience it helps me to rise up.
Rodney Hall, the celeb du jour of last year’s SolidWorks World, had this to say about the CSWP:
“I now work for a very large company as their CAD Administrator and manage over 100 seats of SolidWorks and would almost certainly not have been offered the position without CSWP Certification. My management now only prefers to consider CSWP as first choice when booking interviews with job candidates. I also teach SolidWorks at a local community college and being a CSWP again iced the cake when they considered me for the position.
I would recommend certification to anyone who is serious about keeping or advancing any career that involves using SolidWorks to bring home the groceries.”
Ok, so Rodney is only one person. Add me to the mix, and you get two people who wouldn’t be doing what they’re doing without the certification. I’m willing to bet that there’s more of us, too.
That all being said, I don’t think it’s possible to make a definitive statement one way or the other. It’s strictly related to people’s perception of it. Nothing more, nothing less. If you ask me or Rodney, we’d say it’s very worth it.
What say you?
View Comments
Mike says:
January 28, 2010 at 8:34 PM (UTC -7)
Jeff,
I recently was forwarded a job listing that Disney has for a cad administrator, and in the job listing, having a CSWP is required to be considered for the position. I would say that's a pretty good gage of a large company recognizing the value of the CSWP certification!
jeffmaddin says:
January 29, 2010 at 4:23 AM (UTC -7)
good blog, although I don'y have a CSWP I would tend to agree with you, however I got made redundant about two years ago from a company I'd been at for 18 odd years, and when I looked for new employment, no employers where asking for the certificate (in UK).
I did seriously think about going for it though, as a confidence booster when applying for jobs, but I decided against spending the money as I seemed to get work ok. Are you saying that the CSWP is now free?? if it is…I didn't realise that, and will look into doing it, because I do think its a 'badge' of achievement and proof of skill level…and who knows…could be the key to my next job!
Chris Serran says:
January 29, 2010 at 6:26 AM (UTC -7)
The way I look at it is, it doesn't hurt you to have it so why not get it.
JeffMirisola says:
January 29, 2010 at 9:08 AM (UTC -7)
Excellent point!
JeffMirisola says:
January 29, 2010 at 9:11 AM (UTC -7)
Jeff,
It's free if you're currently on subscription. You might be able to work something out with a local VAR if you're unemployed. Also, it's only USD$99, so not overly expensive.
JeffMirisola says:
January 29, 2010 at 9:12 AM (UTC -7)
I'd have to agree with you on that , Mike.
PS – You want to send that listing my way?
Sonicson says:
January 30, 2010 at 7:24 AM (UTC -7)
I think many companies do not feel that a Solidworks certification of any kind is a good measuring stick to judge a potential new hire. Most judge someone by their education and work history/experience as deciding factors.
I agree that having Solidworks certification can do nothing but help someone, it still comes back to their experience. Speaking for myself as I only have a CSWA at the present time, the company I work for could care less that I'm a certified associate. My salary did not change but I did not expect it to. The reason I want the certifications is that it sure looks good on my resume. Also, there are companies that value certification and maybe one day I will be working for one of them.
It is funny but there are other designers at my work that I have discussed certification with only to hear them bad-mouthing it. After they discovered that I am now a CSWA, they ask me questions regarding the exam. I told them that you can always Google it and get the answers because I did not have time. Then I remind them of their comments they made to me about certification…..some have very short memories!
Take it and you might slip up and pass, just like I did.
Anonymous says:
January 30, 2010 at 3:24 PM (UTC -7)
I think many companies do not feel that a Solidworks certification of any kind is a good measuring stick to judge a potential new hire. Most judge someone by their education and work history/experience as deciding factors.
I agree that having Solidworks certification can do nothing but help someone, it still comes back to their experience. Speaking for myself as I only have a CSWA at the present time, the company I work for could care less that I’m a certified associate. My salary did not change but I did not expect it to. The reason I want the certifications is that it sure looks good on my resume. Also, there are companies that value certification and maybe one day I will be working for one of them.
It is funny but there are other designers at my work that I have discussed certification with only to hear them bad-mouthing it. After they discovered that I am now a CSWA, they ask me questions regarding the exam. I told them that you can always Google it and get the answers because I did not have time. Then I remind them of their comments they made to me about certification…..some have very short memories!
Take it and you might slip up and pass, just like I did.