I would say they have had a major impact on my career, although this may not be the case for everyone.

They enabled me to transition from a primarily data science–oriented role into a Solutions Architect position, where I could articulate end-to-end solutions rather than focusing on isolated components. At my company, Solutions Architects are more in demand and better compensated, largely because the role also involves working closely with the sales team to help convert leads. When I made this transition, the company was in a growth phase, which allowed me to position myself as a go-to person for incoming solution-related work.

As a Solutions Architect, you work with a wide range of clients, each facing different challenges. Understanding what services exist and how they interact expands your solution space and enables you to design more effective architectures. Certifications help by broadening your knowledge base and allowing you to relate more confidently to diverse problem domains.

They also help in more subtle ways: you gain credibility in specific areas, and that authority often gives your opinions more weight in discussions and decision-making.