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CSWP - Are you Certified?

CSWP - Are you Certified?

CSWP - Are you Certified?

(OP)
If so, how long have you been using SW and when did you get certified in relation to your learning curve of the program.

How much time and $ did it take for you to be CSWP.  Do you feel like it was worth the time and effort?

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Quote:

Do you feel like it was worth the time and effort?
My question: "Are you making more money or landing better quality work as a result?"

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

(OP)
I couldnt tell you, im not CSWP.  But i have a pretty good job in a large and well known company.  I wouldnt mind making more money of course. who wouldnt right?

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I meant to add to your question & get answer from CSWP's.  Sorry.

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

No change in job status.  Took the CSWP exam for free during the (still going till July) online offer last October.  Been using SW since 98, off and on during school until 2001 where I have been using it day in and out till now.  Based on the test, I believe I would have been capable of passing it within a year of working with SolidWorks full time.  Assuming you work in an environment where in-context design is occuring (I did).

I too am curious to hear others inputs regarding the value of the test in this regard.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

BTW,
Worth time and effort... Yes, it really wasn't any effort, just 2+ hours to take the exam.  It was free for me, but I would pay $100 to take it.  It is a feather in the cap and demonstrates a certain level of competence is using the software.  Prior to becoming certified, I was only able to tell prospective employers that I was good.  Now I can at least wave a piece of paper in their face.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I started out with a CSWP back in 2001. I had been using SW since its release in 95-96. Now I support it and have gotten my CSWST and working towards my PDM certification. Who knows what the future holds for me, but I know this CSWP got me through a few doors when I started out. Now my reputation is high and hopefully it stays like this for a little longer.

I think the CSWP helped me out when I was just starting into this software and pretty much this field. I have just graduated college about year prior to SW's release.

Regards,

Scott Baugh, CSWP pc2
www.scottjbaugh.com

Quote:

"If it's not broke, Don't fix it!"
FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I got certified in '05, about 7 years after I started using SWx. The test, as I recall, was pretty pricey then, maybe ~$400. I waited that long because I couldn't justify spending the money. When I went to a new company, they paid for it. Being certified has definitely helped my career.
Also, when I took it, you did it in a classroom at your VAR and it was 6-8 hours.

You youngsters have it easy these days. Did I mention I had to walk uphill, both ways, through the snow to get to the exam? smile

Jeff Mirisola, CSWP
Certified DriveWorks AE
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/jeffs_blog
Dell M90, Core2 Duo
4GB RAM
Nvidia 3500M

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I have been using SolidWorks since 98, but just recently became certified when they started with the free offer.  But as Shaggy said, it's easier to show a potential employer the credentials, than to just talk about them.  

CSWP
SolidWorks 2007 SP5.0/2008 SP0.0
2xDual-Core AMD OPTERON 280 / 8GB Ram
Quadro FX3450
3DConnexion SpaceNavigator

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I started with SW 97 and used it exclusively up until 2004-2005, I switched jobs and now work only with Pro-E. In my observations the CSWP is more valuable in competitive job markets.

Last year I took advantage of the free offer from SW and took the CSWA which I passed. I then reviewed for a few weeks and took the CSWP, which I failed.

Can I do everything required in the CSWP? Definitely. Can I review the material, evaluate the requirements and implement the most effective design scheme within the 180 minute test, No.

This does not mean I know less than those that have passed. All it means is that I take more time to develop my approach. Working with the software is only part of the equation. Design experience outweighs software proficiency more ofthen than not.

Having said that, I do plan on re-taking the CSWP at some point. As Shaggy said "it's another feather in the cap"

Eholmes

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

JMirisola - Try that without BOOTS like I had too!

eholmes - I agree with you. For me the test was all about speed modeling. Something that is less of a requirement than designing.

---SolidWorks 2008 SP3.0---

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I've been certified for a while.  I think that the cert seems to mean more to people that aren't too familiar with the software.  Luckily this includes most potential employers.  It does signify a certain amount of proficiency, or at least it means that you were proficient when you took the test, or maybe you are good at taking tests, or maybe you just got lucky...come to think of it, I don't know what it means...

Would you beat someone else out of a job just because you're a CSWP?  Who knows, but it couldn't hurt.

Dan

www.eltronresearch.com

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Passed the old 8-hr proctored CSWP exam at SWW '07 after using SolidWorks part time since r2001. I think it was $150 at SWW.  It counted as points in our salary system.

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

My Opinion of the Online Test - If you knew only what was asked of you on the test then you really don't know much about SW. SW refer to the test as "CORE" but in reality it just scratches the surface. I do agree it has value. Great for you if you're are CSWP.

---SolidWorks 2008 SP3.0---

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I recently passed the CSWA test without much difficulty (other than the worrying about taking the test itself.)

Also, I just got a promotion with a new job title (unfortunately not related to the test). Now I will probably need new business cards & I was wondering out of those who have passed the tests & gotten cool .jpg's saying how cool we really are...does anyone actually put their certification on their business cards, & if so where?

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

eholmes and BARM--same thing happened to me.  I didn't finish the weightier questions and thus missed the passing points mark.  Although every question I answered I got 100% on.  Just from that I know I could pass the CSWP at a VAR with no issues.  The new online tests only say "yes I know the software well enough to burn through a quick concept phase".  But I see SWX angle at offering these tests to a wider audience getting their name out there.  Too bad it comes at the expense of the 'old guard' that had to toil uphill, both ways, with no boots, AND wolves chasing them down to steal their lunch on the way to the VAR CSWP test.

Tony Murschel, CSWA
Dual Xeon 5160 10GB RAM
Nvidia Quadro FX 4500
SWX 2008 SP3.0 x64

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I have been using SW for 6yrs now. I took the old 8hr CSWP this past September right before they switched to the on-line format. That test at our VAR was $300.00. After taking the old test and seeing the new format, I strongly believe the old format was more thorough in testing your knowledge.

I took the exam to make myself more marketable. My opinion is that these exams help employers gage the knowledge of current or prospective employees, and somewhat aid jobseekers in establishing their knowledge of the software.

As for myself, it certainly does help having passed this exam come review time..

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I took the test last week. Without even thinking I started the test without review and not even knowing what to expect. Needless to say I failed. But next time I will be better prepared for it and I will pass it. I have been working with SW for 2 years and should have passed but I tried to hurry cause of the time limit. I was told by the hire ups that they would give me a raise and they would reimburse me the testing cost if I brought them a CSWP for me. So whether or not they are going to pay for it I would have still taken it until I passed just so to back me up in the future.

"But if it is from GOD, you will not be able to stop these men; you will find yourselves fighting against GOD.
                  Acts 5:39

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

A lot of good posts here talking about the CSWP/CSWA programs.

I've been using SWx since 97 ... and even used it to design my home addition.  It's a fantastic software ...

After hearing about the previous versions of the "test" I was too chicken to take it (even though I was told by VAR's and others that I'd easily pass).  My other reason for not taking it was that it probably wouldn't have meant a thing to the companies I had worked for.

Why did I do it now ... for one thing it was for FREE (everybody loves free stuff).  And I wanted to prove to myself that I was as good as I thought (and was told).

Compared to the "old" test, I consider this version to be more like a Jr. CSWP ...

But it has been mentioned before, "A feather in your cap is better than no feather at all."

As far as a salary increase because I'm a CSWP now ... that's a funny one.

Brian Mazejka, CSWP
Documentation Control Manager
Microline Pentax, Inc.

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Ha, ha... I can't see anyone getting a raise if they pass the CSWP exam. It just doesn't jive. Great for you if you do. Perhaps you could explain to us how you did it.

---SolidWorks 2008 SP3.0---

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I am now looking to hire 2 new design engineers in my team (no no please dont send resumes). Of the 33 resumes we got, only 7 have the solidworks certification. I am calling these 7 for interview. Will let you know if the certification means anything about expertise in solidworks.

Regards,
DLT

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

The fact that you are calling those seven already means something.

For that reason alone, I recommend getting the certification.  At the very least, the certification helped them get the interview.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

All it really means is he didn't the resumes in depth.  Sad but simple fact of the hiring process.

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I passed the "old" test a couple of years ago not long after I started out in my current job.  I'm an AE for a SW VAR so the cost was free.  At the time, I already had 8 years on SW and in the end I found that the anticipation was far worse than the actual experience of taking the test which was really "fish in a barrel" for me so to speak.  I think I was finished in half-a-day or so.  

Being that I work for a VAR it is a requirement (at my place of employment at least) that all AE's have to pass this certification along with the tech support test as well (a longer version of the old written test).  We have to pass a bunch of other certs as well but that's another story.  Anyhow, a small percentage of my salary is actually tied in with the certifications that I hold (first among those being CSWP).  I don't know how "in demand" the certification actually is but can tell you before it went all on-line we were running the test probably on a quarterly basis and never filled our class to capacity.

Cheers,

Chris Gervais
Application Engineer
CSWP, CSWST

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Tick,

That is exactly what I was thinking.  He didn't bother to even review the resumes in any great depth.  Went the easy way and looked at the CSWP.  Unfortunately there are probably very skilled candidates that will not get an interview that in all likely hood are as talented or better then the CSWP's.

Over the years I have been given expert help, in whatever CAD system we were using at the time.  Sadly, they couldn't design their way out of a paperbag.  Certificates are a small portion of a person's skillset and talents.

For our company it is a very minor factor in hiring.

FWIW,

Anna Wood
SW2008 SP3.0, Windows Vista SP1
IBM ThinkPad T61p, T7800, FX570M, 4 gigs of RAM
http://designsmarter.typepad.com/solidmuse
http://www.phxswug.com

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Anna ...

I couldn't agree more ... the certification should not be the basis of an interview.  But don't get me wrong, it is something to be looked at.

If I had to interview two people who had similar career paths and skills and one of them was a CSWP ... I'd pick the CSWP.

But that's just my opinion ...

Brian

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Tick, Anna, and Cheeseburger,

I can't agree with your comments more, but the fact is, those users with the CSWP got that interview, whereas some users (probably more skilled at SolidWorks and design in general) missed out.  The CSWP may not do a great job of demonstrating competence in design (or even the software package) but it is something that can make a difference and is worth the $100.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Let's not be too quick to condemn DLTguy for his hiring practices.  When hiring someone myself, I also would prefer someone with solid mechanical design/engineering skills over a  "CAD rat".  That, however, is what I need in a new hire.  It just may be the case that DLT has a whole team of skilled, experienced mechanical design people who don't know $hit about Solidworks and need help in getting their expertise translated into a digital medium.  To each his/her own, it seems.

In any case, looking for a job is all about marketing yourself correctly and the 7 people who listed CSWP on their resumes did it better than the other 26 in this particular instance.

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Gotta have a lot of faith in certification of that sort to make hiring decisions (one way or the other) with that as a basis.  I don't--mostly because I've not taken it and cannot put any personal insight behind it.

To me, it's sort of like a degree.  In my case, I've never even been asked about my degree.  Neither have I ever been asked about the CSWP.  And I doubt it much matters to any client of mine.  I get gigs based on trusted word of mouth or demonstrated capacity to design stuff--not on impersonal authorities such as SolidWorks or Arizona State University.  I think some jobs can make use of those things fairly well--industrial design gigs cannot.

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
What did you dream?  It's all right--we told you what to dream.
    --Pink Floyd, Welcome to the Machine

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

This might be enough to get me off my butt and get the CSWP.

Really, it just reinforces something I learned a long time ago: no one reads resumes.  Hiring managers are busy, HR and recruiters are sloppy.  This leaves hiring managers time for skimming through a pile.

I restructured my resume some time ago so that all relevant info is in the first section that I call "Key Skills".  Hiring manager sees everything he needs to know without even unfolding the first page.  Details about education, employment history, etc. come after.

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I agree with you Jeff, but I don't recall DLT saying that any hiring decision would be based on the applicants having a CSWP.  Using the CSWP as an initial screen doesn't seem unreasonable by any means.

I'm not saying that I would use the (lack of) CSWP as a filter if I were looking to hire someone; I'm just trying to point out that everyone's hiring needs are unique, or at least have the potential to be.

For the record (not that anyone cares), I'm not a CSWP and have no plans to become one for the simple reason that I don't see any personal value in having the certification, all evidence to the contrary.

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Well, I've got perhaps a little different scenario than most here in that:
1.  I'm an industrial designer
2.  I'm a consultant/contractor

As such, I rely heavily on a good portfolio--what I've actually designed--to get design gigs.  Being a consultant also means I've got lots of exposure to lots of companies and the way they do things.  Seeing the way so many businesses are run--using a cheap indication such as the CSWP as a filter of almost any sort--means you don't know what you're really getting.  You either filter in the CSWP people or filter out the non-CSWP people (whether it's an initial screening or not)--and you do so without really considering additional information.  Regardless, the limited scope of qualifications of candidates will ultimately bite the hiring company.

However, if the primary duty of the candidate is to drive SolidWorks (and not necessarily to creatively solve problems through design), the CSWP might be a useful hiring tool.  Certainly such jobs would exist.

Jeff Mowry
www.industrialdesignhaus.com
What did you dream?  It's all right--we told you what to dream.
    --Pink Floyd, Welcome to the Machine

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

That was my only point - that the position DLT is hiring for might very well be a CAD jockey where a CSWP could be important.  Just giving him the benefit of the doubt, that's all.  I happen to agree with the opinions that were voiced about the practicality of using the CSWP as a screen but I don't have anywhere near the required amount of information to comment on DLT's situation...

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Quote (DLTguy):

I am now looking to hire 2 new design engineers in my team"

In my book a "design engineer" and a "CAD jockey" (although often symbiotic) are very different animals.

cheers

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

CBL,

My book reads the same as yours, but my whole point in entering this discussion was to point out the fact that only DLT knows for sure - in this particular instance.

Out.

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I started using SW back in 98 and certified last year. I find that companies are more likely to  judging candidates on the  years of experience more than there certifications.Saying that, I have found that being certified has help me get more contract work outside of my 9 to 5.  

As far as the test, I do not believe the test really gives a good indication of expertise in the program but it’s more about efficiency with the program

CJ Goodrich
Product Design Engineer
Leatherman Tool Group
Portland, Oregon

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

And naturally "...efficiency with the program." is a good thing. Unfortunately the current CSWP test doesn't go too deep.

---SolidWorks 2008 SP3.0---

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Just to expose a potential flaw in the value of the CSWP-CORE as selection criteria, a recent thread in forum.solidworks.com posted by a CSWA, CSWP holder posed the question; (paraphrased because I can't find it now)

"What is the difference between "Save as" and "Save as copy"?

cheers

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Ouch!

I still maintain that it is better to have it than not.  The person doing the hiring (resume filtering) may not be aware that the certification isn't all that solid.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I don't have the cert and don't have plans to persue it. Between staying up to speed on the new releases of SW, there's the Add-in's that are updated as well. New materials, new processes, new production methods, blah, blah, blah. I have a lot of respect for the people that master any aspect of thier job and are able to pass a certification test to show it but CSWP does not look like a pressing need for me.

Harold
SW2008 SP3.0 OPW2008 SP0.1 Win XP Pro 2002 SP2
Dell 690, Xeon 5160 @3.00GHz, 3.25GB RAM
nVidia Quadro FX4600
www.lumenflow.com

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

If my posts are to be edited then please correct my grammer and spelling....

Harold
SW2008 SP3.0 OPW2008 SP0.1 Win XP Pro 2002 SP2
Dell 690, Xeon 5160 @3.00GHz, 3.25GB RAM
nVidia Quadro FX4600
www.lumenflow.com

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Harold,
Are you saying your post was edited? That would normally only happen by request (Red Flag) or if site management felt the content was contrary to forum policies/etiquette.

cheers

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Yes, that is the case. My post was edited. As was yours I do believe. Did yours not say "Save" and "Save as Copy" origonally? The basic intent of my comment is intact but it gives me concern that my posts are edited without request and without cause. I certainly didn't say anything meriting a flag, nor would I. I have my company site attached to my signature and I use my real name.

Harold
SW2008 SP3.0 OPW2008 SP0.1 Win XP Pro 2002 SP2
Dell 690, Xeon 5160 @3.00GHz, 3.25GB RAM
nVidia Quadro FX4600
www.lumenflow.com

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I submitted a Red Flag against my own post requesting that correction. To my mind there is a big difference between "Save" and "Save as", and I wanted that distinction to be clarified.

The Red Flag is not necessarily a negative function. It can also be used for the positive. But should never be used for the frivolous.

Without repeating what was edited out, how was yours edited?
ponder I guess that's kind of impossible isn't it ... "Tell me what was edited without telling me what was edited." lol

cheers

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

I understand. I wish there had been an email notification that your requested edit effected my post. Like I said, my basic point is intact. The edited section was a correction to your post and a passing comment as to the nature of the complexity of the referenced question. Lets not let this issue get the post off topic any further. Thanks for your concern CBL.

Harold
SW2008 SP3.0 OPW2008 SP0.1 Win XP Pro 2002 SP2
Dell 690, Xeon 5160 @3.00GHz, 3.25GB RAM
nVidia Quadro FX4600
www.lumenflow.com

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

(OP)
anyways, I took the test and didn't pass it.  The questions are not hard but it seems to me the test is more like a test of how to model stuff fast.  Being an industrial designer I have never made it an emphasis to model things quickly as I have to take many factors into consideration.  Also, you are basically copying a part and replicating it into 3D which in my case is not something I ever do, the total opposite I have to do stuff from scratch and with my own criteria.  

Oh well, I can sit here and rationalize all the reasons why I didn't pass it but I guess the bottom line is that I suck!! hahaha.

Anywas, I took screenshots of all the 18 questions, If someone would like to try them out let me know and I will host them and post them in this thread.

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Quote:

Anyways, I took screenshots of all the 18 questions, If someone would like to try them out let me know and I will host them and post them in this thread.

I don't think that is a good idea... Not that I think SW will come and get you or anything.  Its just that I don't think the questions are different for anybody else... Maybe they are, but when I took it, a friend took it shortly after and we discussed it afterwards and the problems were the same... maybe different numbers, but essentially the same.  At best, there are a limited number of modeling problems.

I agree with your observations.

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Quote:

Anywas, I took screenshots of all the 18 questions, If someone would like to try them out let me know and I will host them and post them in this thread.

Please DO NOT post the questions here ... or anywhere else for that matter! They will be immediately Red Flagged for removal. Posting the test questions would totally invalidate the CSWP certification. The whole idea of the test (however flawed it may be) is to show a level of proficiency with SW ... not the level to which you can sink by cheating.

Several threads have already been removed from the SolidWorks forum because they gave too much information.

cheers

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Quote (uGlay):

The questions are not hard but it seems to me the test is more like a test of how to model stuff fast.
I agree with uGlay. The pictures are hard to read and you can easily miss something. I wish SolidWorks would offer a couple of practice tests before spending my money on the real one.

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

They do....sort of.   There's a sample CSWA on the website.  I didn't really see much more in the CSWP other than a bit of in-context stuff.

-handleman, CSWP (The new, easy test)

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

When I was looking at the requirements for a Wisconsin P.E., I came across a page listing requirements for P.I.  Now there's a cool business card: "Tick: P.I.P.E."  With a P.I. license I'd also be eligible for a concealed weapon permit.  That could make design review meetings much more interesting...

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Has anybody bothered with the CSWPCDES yet?

Joe Hasik, CSWP
SW 08 x64, SP 3.0
Dell T3400
Intel Core2 Quad
Q6700 2.66 GHz
3.93 GB RAM
NVIDIA Quadro FX 4600

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Quote (SolidWorks):

Redeemed coupons tests must be completed no later than July 31st, 2008.
I think it used to be June 30, 2008.

RE: CSWP - Are you Certified?

Quote:

Has anybody bothered with the CSWPCDES yet?

Not yet.  I used the coupon to redeem that one as well, but haven't taken it yet.  I plan to go through the samples to see what to expect.

There was a thread on the SW message board pertaining to the CSWPCDES.
https://forum.solidworks.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=8&threadid=10775

 

-Dustin
Professional Engineer
Certified SolidWorks Professional

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