Hi All,

I have a BSc in Computer Science and was looking for a certificate related to interactive physics simulations or realtime graphics besides my daily job to enhance my qualifications in this field. My job is not related to these fields at all. I thought I'd find a "Microsoft DirectX Certification" for example, but couldn't find one, or anyhting similar (not specifically from Microsoft) in physics simulation or realtime graphics, as I have worked for years (nearly ten years, started when I was 13 years old) in these fields as a hobby and now I'd like to enrich my knowledge with a respected certificate in these fields.

I couldn't find any certificates to take though, so any help or suggestions would be highly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Atef Hashem

Create an online portfolio; that would mean a lot more to me than some piece of paper, if I were an employer.

Thanks for your suggestion. But I actually am looking for a certificate to study these fields more academically and gain more knowledge. But of course, an online portfolio would be a great idea :)

I could be wrong; im not sure whats out there in terms of certificates. But ive also been studying these things since I was about 13, which means there isnt much going on between university walls on these subjects that I dont know about. I imagine certificates are more basic than that. Do there exist certificates that say something more than 'I know the basics of the directx api' (in perhaps fancier language?).

Quote:

Original post by AHashem as I have worked for years (nearly ten years, started when I was 13 years old) in these fields as a hobby

Which is, sadly, worth exactly zero. The only thing you can put on resume is paid experience.

The above can be used in two ways:
- as portfolio, showcasing the work you've done
- as a mention of hobby work on resume to show extra dedication (may benefit or harm the application, depending on employer)

Quote:

and now I'd like to enrich my knowledge with a respected certificate in these fields.

Certifications are for standardized grunt jobs. DX and similar are not such jobs.

Physics and real-time systems have certain certification possibilities, but not for programming as such. They are related to actual real Engineering, and may depend on vendors - nothing Microsoft related is real-time. QNX and VxWorks are most commonly encountered (real-time), telcos often provide them (I'm not all too familiar with those). Medical software might offer some, but again vendor-specific.

There is nothing for visualization/soft real-time or graphics APIs and non-engineering simulations. There is no need.

Game school degree would serve such purpose.

The best way to show off without work experience are demos. After all - that is what those jobs require, something that leaves visual impact.

Thanks Antheus. I guess your post gave me a more practical insight. Actually, I was planning that if I apply for a gaming job to show my personal work. I haven't tried yet, as where I live there are no gaming companies around, and I haven't took the decision yet to apply in foreign countries.

I was looking for a certificate to give some academic power to my knowledge, but it seems from the replies (and yours) that there are none.

I guess I will continue studying and writing simulations as a hobby until I decide to take it as a professional career.

I happen to be soliciting for a project tomorrow; I mentioned my informal experience in passing, and they want me to give a brief presentation of my stuff tomorrow. So that actually works for me in practice.

I dont have an online portfolio yet but this occasion has prompted me to start building one; its quite a bit of work to put together a polished representation of your work, and as a good programmer, I want it to be reusable :).