When it comes to big data, Apache Spark is certainly a favorite and as we see more and more companies turn to big data, the demand for Apache Spark developers increases. Spark is an open-source, which means there are endless online resources available to improve your expertise.
Companies will require a good level of practical working knowledge of Apache Spark, nevertheless, they will tend to hire developers with Spark certifications over those who don’t. If you are considering a career change or advancement, there are some great qualifications out there, but first, let’s take a look at why it’s good to have Apache Spark certifications.
Why Should You Become a Certified Apache Spark Developer?
There are plenty of advantages to gaining Spark qualifications. We have narrowed down the top 4:
- If your career has anything to do with big data, you will need the best Spark certification because of its sheer popularity.
- Certification is a way of proving your competence to companies and will increase your chances of getting hired.
- There are a variety of ways to gain Sparke qualifications and the process is straightforward.
- Having a certification in your pocket gives you a competitive edge over other Spark developers.
5 of the Best Apache Spark Certifications
- HDP Certified Apache Spark Developer
The Hortonworks HDP certification is one of the best on the market. You will be tested on Spark Core and Data Frames. More importantly, the exam requires you to use the skills you have learned, rather than just a multiple-choice test. It takes just 2 hours and costs $250.
- Databricks Certification for Apache Spark
To do well in the Databricks certification, you will need an understanding of Scala or Python too. Additionally, you will be examined on your overall knowledge of Spark and programming. You will have 90 minutes to pass the exam which costs $300.
- O’Reilly Developer Certification for Apache Spark
This is a similar certification to Databricks as it has been created by the same company, along with O’Reilly. O’Reilly played a key role in the media input. It’s a great choice if you want to stand out from your colleagues. It takes 1hr and 30 mins and will cost $300.
- Cloudera Spark and Hadoop Developer
As the name suggests, as well as Apache, the Cloudera certification includes Hadoop technology. It’s perfect is you want to showcase your skills of two tools working side by side. The exam is rather in-depth, covering Flume, HDFS, Spark with Scala, Python, Avro, Sqoop, Avro, and Impala. It is not a multiple-choice exam! You will have 2 hours to complete questions based on programming aptitude and costs $295.
- MapR Certified Spark Developer
The MapR certification is suitable for Apache developers, programmers, or engineers and will assist with the evaluation of your Apache skills. The exam concentrates on programming related tasks using production-level Spark. You will need Java and Scala programming experience to get through the 60-80 questions in 2 hours. The certification costs $250.
In Summary
Although these are all Apache Spark qualifications, all but one test other skills. If you are only interested in Apache, the HDP Apache Spark Certification is the way forward. The choice between the other 4 may be down to the additional skills you would like to test.
These certifications will cost you, so it is essential that you make sure you are prepared. Take an online course and practice your newly learned skills as much as possible before the exam. Even if you are a seasoned Apache Spark developer, it would be worth brushing up on your skills before investing in one of these qualifications.
