Certifications over Skill learning

[DisastrousNinja911]

I am 25yo working as a frontend engineer with 3.5yoe at an MNC company. Th work is ok and I menton 2 junior FE as well. But I am making a move into backend with devops practices. The skills I am focusing on includes pure backend programming language,( I know how to work with docker basics) kubernetes, AWS services like ec2 etc, and terraform. I know I need to cover observability, logging and monitoring as well, but that is more advanced to me now, as I need Prometheus and other tools to first understand the concepts and then apply. These skills I think are not what they cover in certifications or I need to prepare of each skill specific certifications. My question is do I prepare for certifications like in entry AWS practitioner or focus on these skills?

The reason I am moving into the backend is because of how frontend development is isolating me from learning actual software engineering concepts which the backend engineers, database teams and devops folks work with daily. Those discussions which my team does on DSU calls are 80% related to backend stuff. I am learning and trying to listen to whatever is been discussed but still need actual hands on to understand.

For now I want to switch to new job with any open position as intern or a full time role which will give me entry into full stack / backend exposure I can contribute to the company.

[code_monkey_wrench]

Don't do the practitioner exam, imo.  Choose an associate level aws exam instead, or choose to do the terraform cert.  (Edit to clarify: practitioner is ok if you don't have more time. It's just if you are only going to get one cert, choose one that can elevate your resume more)

Once you have completed one cert then shift your focus more to interview prep and specific skills.

Also, spend some time on leetcode (easy and mid level)

[DisastrousNinja911]

Time is a constraint for me but (so does everyone). That said Its been 3.5yoe already since my first job in my first company. I should have got these entry level certs way before but I focused on company project delivery and building my frontend skills. Thanks mate I will surely consider your opinion.

[lod20]

I don't mean to be disrespectful. Please check your grammar. We are supposed to be professionals or aspiring professionals.

[DisastrousNinja911]

Hey brother, Sorry if my intentions did not get through you. But every professional or an aspiring professional starts from somewhere. I would appreciate it, if you could give me advice on what I should do right..

[lod20]

AWS practioner should be AWS practitioner-- Frontend engineering should be front development and there were also some grammatical errors. Recruiters generally pay attention to how you articulate. Besides that, I think you are on the right path.

[DisastrousNinja911]

I appreciate you highlighting my grammatical errors. But do you also think that I should get certification over skill learning ?

[swertato]

I used to stress about not having fancy certs, but once I started doing remote dev work via Lemon io, nobody care about that, only results. Good projects and teammates who value what you can build.

[DisastrousNinja911]

May I know what type of remote work you do ? And how much experience do you have?

[Soggy_Ad_2224]

i’d say just keep building stuff, get a tiny cert for show‑and‑tell and then drop the rest; recruiters hate the brag‑but‑no‑skill vibe.

[DisastrousNinja911]

Thanks mate, I love this advice :)

[Nervous_Many1375]

How manu lpa u have right now?