If there is one thing that my career has taught me, it is that the absence of a certificate does not equal the absence of competence. For the longest time, I believed that professional growth was measured in printed paper as every industry conversation seemed to revolve around the number of certifications a person carried. But I learned early on that the paper did not matter as much as the practice. So, I do not hold a single certification in my career path.

Back in the days when Microsoft offered its Microsoft Certified Architect (MCA) program, one of the toughest, most elite certifications available and I set my eyes on it. I applied, studied and dug deeper than I ever had. I genuinely wanted to earn that certification because, at the time, it felt like the pinnacle of validation. But somewhere along that journey while walking this intense path, I stumbled upon something that completely shifted my direction.

Discovering the Microsoft MVP Program

As I connected with a few architects who had gone through the MCA program, I discovered something else- the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) program. Unlike most certifications, the MVP was not about passing an exam or proving theoretical knowledge within a controlled environment. It was not about checking boxes or memorising topics. It was all about real-world impact. That distinction struck me deeply. So, I made a choice. I decided to skip the certification and chase the value. And the result? I have been honoured as a Microsoft MVP for three consecutive years since 2010. Not because a board tested me, not because I memorised content for an exam but because I chose to contribute, to create, to engage and to share. And that decision reshaped not only my career but also my philosophy about learning.

For most people in tech, certifications are the milestones that validate skill, commitment and progress in their career. And for years, I believed that too. But the realisation of choosing purpose over paper took me further than I expected.

The Never-Ending Learning Curve

The world of technology is moving faster than ever, where trends are shifting overnight. What was cutting-edge last year has now become a foundational knowledge this year and certifications, while valuable, can only keep pace to a certain extent. Certifications are beautiful milestones as they bring clarity, structure and recognition. But they are not the only path, and they are not the path for everyone. Some people thrive with official learning frameworks and while others by building, experimenting and reinventing. Both the approaches are valid. But what’s important is knowing what works best for you and not what works best for someone else. Sometimes, the most impactful decisions are not the loud ones but they are the quiet shifts in one’s mindset and the moments where you realise that a single paper does not define your potential.

Learning, however, has no limits. So, I never stopped learning. Even today, I continuously study AI/ML through research because in tech, learning is survival.

Less Paper but More Purpose

The mindset of valuing practice over paper never left me. The truth is that the absence of a certificate does not equal the absence of skill. And the presence of a certificate also does not guarantee the presence of expertise. What truly matters is the learning, the practice, the application and the value you create. This realization did not come to me instantly. It came through exploration, conversations with other people in the industry and choices that eventually reshaped the direction of my professional life.

The MVP program recognised something else entirely:

• Contribution
• Industry impact
• Knowledge-sharing
• Thought leadership
• Real-world innovations

Instead of asking, “What do you know?” the MVP program asked “How have you used what you know to make a difference?” So, I made the unconventional choice of stopping to pursue the certification not because I could not do it but because I realised it was not the most meaningful measure for my career path.

The deeper I go, the more I realised that the true competitive edge in tech is not certification, it is curiosity. And curiosity does not need a certificate to be valid. A certificate may get you noticed. But your work, your ideas, your leadership and your impact are what keep you relevant. And for too long, many professionals have thought themselves to feel lesser because they lack certain certificates. But one thing you need to know is that you can be uncertified but brilliant and you can also be certified but unprepared for real-world challenges. You can succeed in your career with one, with many or with none.

What is one realisation that has changed how you view your career path?

Often, that single insight is all it takes to unlock a future you never imagined.