Why the Monkeys Wouldn’t Climb the Pole

It’s a tough world out there. In this competitive environment of converging markets, stark competition and demanding employers, the need to be at the top of one’s game has become even more crucial.

Globalization has turned the world into an open job-hunt zone, therefore, confirming the reliability of international recognition over the sometimes more restricted national credential. Consequently, employers demand the right to be harder to please. And, in fact, they are. Requiring high standards of achievement from prospective team members, employers insist on no less than masters of the trade, a high level of professionalism and a commitment to continuing professional education. Typically these demands suggest two words: getting certified.

What prevents those individuals from taking that final step and sit their exam?

They have completed their studies, have all the required knowledge but a large percentage do not sit an exam to provide evidence of their understanding in their chosen field.

As humans beings we decide what is acceptable and ‘normal’ by looking at the people around us. Our parents, teachers, and friends exert huge influence over what we believe is possible in our lives. The upside is a feeling of belonging but the downside is that if we try to break out of those accepted paradigms we invariably meet resistance.

There is a famous experiment involving monkeys that illustrates this very powerfully. Scientists put several monkeys into a large enclosure. In the middle of the enclosure there was a tall wooden pole with a bunch of bananas on the top. When the monkeys tried to reach the bananas they were blasted with a high-pressure water hose. Although it didn’t hurt them, it was obviously not an enjoyable experience and eventually all the monkeys stopped trying to get to the bananas.

Then they removed one of the original monkeys and added a new monkey to the group. Although accepted by the group, as soon as he spotted the bananas and went to retrieve them, all the remaining monkeys pulled him off the pole – even though this time there was no water hose. They had been conditioned to believe that climbing the pole equalled pain so they were saving the new monkey from harm.

Soon, even the new monkey stopped trying to climb the pole. Eventually all the original monkeys were replaced one by one until none of the monkeys in the enclosure had witnessed or experienced the actual water treatment and yet none of them would make any attempt to go up the pole and get the bananas.

Like those monkeys, we judge what is acceptable by those around us.  If you lead an unhealthy life and your family or friends also lead an unhealthy life then it can’t be that bad – right. Actually yes it can, but it’s very possible that even if you recognise it and try to change it those around you will try to ‘pull you off the pole’. This is partly because they don’t want to see you fail and partly because they don’t want you to succeed either – otherwise they may have to change also. If you make an attempt to change the status quo you are likely to meet some resistance. Sadly, it is often those who supposedly love us the most who discourage us the most.

Perhaps those who don’t sit the exam and get certified are like the remaining monkeys in the enclosure. They don’t want to change the status quo, or, are afraid of failing, or possibly it is due to peer pressure. Maybe it’s all three.

There are over 1 million certified CompTIA certified professionals worldwide.

Why CompTIA?

As the global IT industry association, CompTIA builds vendor-neutral certifications that measure foundational skills. They show employers you have the skills to do the job, regardless of the vendor of the hardware or software product. Many of these exams are also prerequisites or electives for more advanced vendor certifications. It really is the starting point for a career in IT. Plus, earning a certification not only proves you have the right skills, but also the dedication and commitment to your career to continue learning.

CompTIA certifications are trusted because they are such an accurate predictor of employee success. When developing an exam, CompTIA engages international focus groups and recruits subject matter experts from around the world to define programs, write, review and participate in beta exams. CompTIA certifications are built with the knowledge of experts and industry leaders from the public and private sectors, including training, academia and the government.