Webmaster Certification

how to go about it?

[petra]

I'm planning to switch careers from my current sales/marketing to being a fully certified webmaster in the UK.

I need your advice on how to go about doing it. Is there an official certification body for the UK? or should I get certified through the World Organization of Webmasters?

How shoud I start the process and where is the best place to go for courses that will help me pass the certification exams?

Your advice and comments greatly appreciated.

[twist]

World Organization of Webmasters, never heard of it. They've been online since 97 yet their forum is empty.

I am not sure what certifications your talking about but I once thought that certifications were the way to go. Took one called CIW (certified internet webmaster) or something. It was helpful to read through the books while studying for the exam. They gave me a piece of paper and charged me ~$100 for it. I couldn't tell you where that piece of paper is now, probably threw it away.

I learned about 5% of what I know about web development from CIW. Another 10% from other books and websites, and %85 from this website.

It would seem that the best way to show people that you are a professional web developer would be to develop professional looking websites.

[petra]

Thanks for that input. The reason I'm looking for certification is to add it to my CV which is currently sales and marketing oriented. So is there there no such thing as an official World Organization of Webmasters?

[twist]

I don't know of any official organization of webmasters or webmaster unions. There are plenty of places that will sell you a piece of paper saying you are certified to do anything computer related including web development. I think even microsoft has one or two. A degree in computer science or database administration would be very well accepted since any large scale website would require both those skills.

A union or organization would be a great idea, if done properly, but I think the TOS of this site says your not allowed to discuss the forming of any of those types of things in the forums and since no one has piped up mentioning a truly credible source, I doubt one exists.

[Leosghost]

Are you sure you come from sales and marketing?, 'cos normally anyone with any smarts in that area might be trying to sell the idea of "an official World Organization of Webmasters" but certainly not even half beleiving in such an entity themselves ..

Stay with what you are doing ..you haven't learnt all there is yet in your present "field of expertise" ..

You can't "snow job" prospective employers with bits of paper from non existant "professional bodies"..in this area the reply is "show your stuff ..not your CV" ..

Hey ..I went to their site ..kewl tacky graphics for a badly done scam ..like twist says ..empty.. except for things to sign up and pay for ROTFALOL ..

[tedster]

I agree with the above -- there is no officially recognized certification body for "webmasters" in any country. In fact, given the diverse skill sets that can be required, I don't think there's even a precise and widely accepted definition for the word "webmaster".

Some colleges and universities offer courses -- they might be of some help getting going if you're not a self educating type. But as Leosghost said, employers will be looking for you to "show your stuff". So the best approach is to find a way to build something and learn by doing.

That said, a marketing background can be a great platform to launch a career on the web. So many web workers bring either a technical background or a graphics background -- someone with good marketing chops PLUS web skills could find themselves in demand.

[petra]

Thanks for that input. I do have work to show, running two successful websites (as a hobby). I just thought that there is such an official organisation and the organisation in the OP seemed to be an official one so I figured I'd get myself certified, I guess it isn't. Thanks for clearing it up for me :)