I've been paying for Codecademy and noticed they offer certificates for completing courses. Do you think these certifications hold any value on resumes, or are they just like those macaroni art projects we put on the fridge? I'm really trying to get a better understanding of programming and want to know if it's worth it to showcase these certificates when looking for a job.
5 Answers
These are basically just participation certificates. Sure, you finished a course, but that’s about it. Employers typically see a certificate as a rough gauge of your abilities, and it often isn’t a good indicator.
Honestly, they’re pretty much worthless. The only certificates that matter are from recognized institutions or big tech companies. You're better off taking free courses with solid content instead of paying for Codecademy. Those certs won’t help you land a job.
From my experience, those certificates aren’t very meaningful. Employers usually care more about actual projects you’ve worked on rather than just having a piece of paper. They want to see what you can build.
That’s good to know! I’m just trying to get a jump start on programming since college feels overwhelming. I’m still really interested in it, though.
I think it’s important to note that while Codecademy certificates may not carry weight on their own, the skills you develop through the courses absolutely do. I’ve been hiring developers for over a decade, and what matters is whether you can actually build things. Completing the courses shows you’re dedicated and willing to learn. Just make sure to showcase any projects you've done based on what you've learned.
Codecademy is great for getting the basics down but those certificates? Not so much. They're a good first step, but you really need to apply what you learn to real-life projects if you want to impress employers.
Paying for Codecademy can still be beneficial if you're really new to programming. I got them for free and found them helpful for learning new languages, but the certificates themselves don’t carry any job value.