Are you a certified LabVIEW developer?

[Rodéric]

I'm not a CLD yet, but since I got CLAD as a student, it helped me get my first job/my company is an alliance partner (preparing for CLD for fun)

[JÞB]

I may have a unique point of view on this subject.  Some of you may remeber that my signature used to provide my title and company.  It changed for the simple reason that I no longer work for that employer - in fact no LabVIEW developer, certified or not, is currently employed there.  I looked in the want-ads, spoke to knowledgeable recruiters, asked questions of my local NI support team and spoke with the Minneapolis LabVIEW User's Group members.  The NEED for high quality LabVIEW Developers in Minnesota far exceeds the local talent.  As such, I made the intentional decision to print new business cards and resumes PROMINENTLY displaying my CLD Logo and seek out contract employment opportunities.  The CLD Logo certainly gets attention and interviews.  The word of mouth and referral letters from delighted customers generate excitement in the contract houses and the CLD is often mentioned in contacts when the subject comes up, as it invariably does, "Yeah we've had LabVIEW guys in here before but the project <Insert shortfall here>".  I USE the facts that the employer did not have a Certified Developer, and MY clients are all extremely satisfied to differentiate myself from the class of LabVIEW users that have limited understanding of software design (while lamenting the fact that this is a large percentage of LabVIEW users.)  The first contract had scope creep from "design a test" to "design a test framework and implement for project X". It completed on time and under budget. It overlapped by two weeks with the current contract which completes under time and budget tomarrow. I start the third Monday.

There are several key takeaways:

• The need for certification has never been greater - customers want to use this "new LabVIEW thingy" but, trust in the skill sets of LabVIEW user's is lacking...for good reason.  As a community the LabVIEW forum members have achieved a level of knowledge about best practices and methods that put LabVIEW on par with (or better than!!!) any development environment. but the percentage of certified developers (and the learning of good programming skills that goes with it) hampers LabVIEW adoption.  We can overcome this by continuing to contribute to the forums and help those members become more skilled.  Good for every LabVIEW developer and the primary reason I contribute! (And of course I learn every day)
• Certification criteria needs to remain high! "Yeah, I took the CLAD and passed does the CLD actually mean something?... " was a question asked me during an interview.  At the close of the contract the same CLAD had a goal of the entire department achieving CLD or better to emulate my skill set.  I did blush.
• Programming is a growth employment market.  LabVIEW is a major player in test automation and a skilled CLD with good electronics technician skills can expect to keep the rain off their heads and soup between sternum and spine.

Now for the kicker- what every job seeker wants to know.  Post CLD my compensation has raised 20-30% (at some cost of job security which has not yet been a issue in reality)

[JÞB]

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@LV_Pro wrote:
James, I'm currently in New Orleans, helping one of my girls move into a new apartment, while she is in graduate school at Tulane.

Hey, if you need any contract LabVIEW work ...

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Are you willing to risk a Minnesota winter?  I'm "beating-em-off-with-sticks" up nord!

[Anil_Reddy]

I missed in my first attempt by 0.9%.................... I scored 74.10% and pass mark is 75%.............I saw little less score in documentation and know where I missed ............preparing for 2nd attempt now..............

[LV_Pro]

Jeff, missed your response as I was travelling. I think that Minnesota winters are probably a bit colder, that my part of New York, but we get a lot of snow. Prairie Home Companion's descriptions of winter sound familiar to us up here, a seasonal snowfall for last winter of 175" + (~4.4m). PM me with your thoughts ((although I was really hoping for New Orleans, Key West or maybe Hawaii)

[Kanhu_Charan_Padhy]

Dear NI Content Coordinator,

                                          Kind Attn.: Ms Jennifer King,

Not yet! However, I am an evaluator for Labview 8.5. May I get be certified as a Labview Developer? Also, I am interested in the Allience partnership programme.

Kanhu Charan Padhy,

Managing Director,

For KCTRONICS Innovative Consultancy Services Private Limited.

Bangalore,KA,India-560093

Tel/Fax:+91-80-25241189,

Mob:+91-9916133982,

E-mail: kicspl@qmsskc.org, kanhupadhy@gmail.com

[LV_Pro]

Certification is dependent on passing a written exam (for the Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer) and a 4 hour practical (developing a program based on the exam requirements) to get the Certified LabVIEW Developer certification. These exams are generally given at designated testing facilities, not sure out of the US. If your most recent experience is in 8.5 you would probably want to get a more recent version, even if only in the evaluation version, and definitely look at the exam study info elsewhere on this (National Instruments) site. Your best bet is to contact your local National Instruments office.  Good Luck

[Freelance_LV]

I was a CLD (LV 8.6). My spouse is a CLA.

The practice I put in for the certificaiton can never leave me during my current projects. I ensure I develop my code as good and neat and legible as possible.

I have not taken the recertification for two reasons:

I am far too behind to reach the level of CLA.

I am confident my ex-CLD has given me enough background to become and stay a better developer.

I did not want to spend the required amount, too.

However, when I see the code developed by people around, which lack the "LabVIEW Developer" thing, I cant resist myself from suggesting the coding guidelines and sharing the details of certificaitons.

Same with the company where my spouse works. We discuss the bad code developed and also how to make good code if we developed it.

As long as there is no recertification, I am happy to keep taking any number of certifications

Mr. Padhy,

You can contact NI Bangalore located at Salarpuria Softtech on Outer Ring Road for certifications. Regarding Alliance Partnership, cotnact the sales people there. You have the phone number in the NI India contact page. I remember that to be 41190000

[LV_Pro]

Well having driven 90 miles through the snow country of Northern New York ( it was a lot worst on the Weather Channel than in reality), I took the CLD-R and passed. I highly recommend going over the example exams, was VERY glad I did!!! Sun was shining when I came out.

[Mark_Yedinak]

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@LV_Pro wrote:
Well having driven 90 miles through the snow country of Northern New York ( it was a lot worst on the Weather Channel than in reality), I took the CLD-R and passed. I highly recommend going over the example exams, was VERY glad I did!!! Sun was shining when I came out.

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Congrats!