Right decision? Build portfolio instead of getting "webmaster certification"

[paulm86]

Hi everyone, new to these boards but so far very impressed with the friendly people an masses of knowledge an expertese. I recently enquired with a company called <edited> about doing a CIW <Certified Internet Webmaster> course with them after talking to alot of people an reading as much as i could i decided not to go ahead with the course mainly due to the large financial output an have decided i shall teach myself an instead use a hopefully impressive porfolio to get myself a job. Just wondering what people think have i made the right choice?

[edited by: tedster at 7:51 pm (utc) on June 28, 2006]
[edit reason] No specifics, please [/edit]

[kevinpate]

a willingness to learn, combined with careful reading and a critical eye toward what you choose to trust and what you choose to pass over, can serve you well.
There's an advanced degree's worth of information on this site alone. Dive in, and apply what you learn, ask questions when you're stumped, as contrasted to aksing folks to do things for you in lieu of learning, and you'll be building a nice portfolio before you realize it

[tedster]

In the current state of the web, I do not care one hoot about any certification when hiring. I want to see what you've done and, if possible, hear from your happy clients. So I definitely think you made the best choice.

[le_gber]

in one word: YES

[topr8]

i'm a very small company so it may be different with the big boys, but i employ based on enthusiasm and willingness.

[JKMitchell]

As everyone else has said, learn as much as you can, build a portfolio showing what you are capable of and then look for a job (although you may decide to go it alone if you are making money from the portfolio sites - having said that pleaser think very carefully before going it alone as you are very dependent on getting new work).

Good luck.