[gaius]

The value of a (good) certification is that Rumsfeld’s Law applies: you don’t know what you don’t know. Even if you never finish the programme you will at least pick up an idea of what you need to learn, the common vocabulary etc.

[tptacek]

If you want to pay for a forcing function, that's fine, but be clear with yourself that that's all you're really paying for.

Certainly I would push back hard on the idea that a certification of any sort is something you need to obtain a first job in the field.