Certified Usability Analyst - Is It Worth It?
I just received an email from Human Factors International promoting their 3-day touring seminar, The Science and Art of Effective Web Design. It’s part of a series of courses that can be taken in order to become a Certified Usability Analyst.
The seminar looks like it contains great information, but is it worth the steep cost? I’m also wondering if their certification is as useful as they claim. Is a Certified Usability Analyst as recognized as a Microsoft Certified Professional?
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Comments
Was the e-mail unsolicited? If so, the decision is easy.
Jack on 14 Aug 02
I signed up for their seminar annoucements about four months ago. So, yes it was requested.
Joshua on 14 Aug 02
Gee that title is familiar…sounds a little like a book by Jeff Veen!
And no, a certified usability analyst is recognised by no-one other than HFI.
Donna Maurer on 14 Aug 02
Let’s talk about certificates.
MCSE certification. I don’t care that you read some MCSE books and took a test. When the network goes down, I don’t want my network engineer running to a book to figure things out. Experience matters more than certificates. I can test experience with scenario questions.
When hiring an administrative assistant, I would steer clear of anyone with who has passed a Microsoft Office certification at the local community college. Anyone can take a test. I want someone who has used Office day-in and day-out. Experience. I can test experience by observing the person completing tasks in Office.
One paper document that would matter to me is a degree in psychology (or related field). That implies at least academic experience and I can ask about what research the person has participated in.
Now, if you’re applying for a job and they’re not requiring a degree, then maybe certification will help. They either can’t afford someone with a degree, or operate on different standards.
Jack on 14 Aug 02