I am torn apart for several months now. My boss and coworkers are amazing people, projects are quite fun and interesting, workplace is close to home and they pay for my exams (step by step reaching for MCSD certification), but...
The salary if fcking low (you could probably earn same ammount while working as a waitress of normal restaurant). Not only for me of course, but still :( Now I am thinking of running to some bank and doing boring programming job coding same tasks again and again, but getting payed very well

So opinions: should a software engineer get certifications? I mean, to me they seem like pointless wastes of money, but my coworkers don't seem to think so. I design and write code, why do I need MCSD or whatever? Follow up, if you feel they are useful: which ones and why?

IT'S ON!!! Booked my MCSD 483 exam for mid July. GAME FACE!

Microsoft certifications... worth it or not?
MCSA (web applications, universal windows platform, MCSD (app builder), etc...
Currently I am stressing myself out for these certifications and all people around me either say it is worthless or it is VERY valuable. I hate exams, it makes feel sick, is there other ways to prove that I am a good dev? (I know I know... create your own apps, participate in interesting projects, but I do not always have time and enthusiasm for that. I want to have my evenings and weekends free from programming)

Started my company with a professor of the department, a month later I get a great contract and the prof says:

"I do not allow it, you have to obey me"

Here I am, between developing the thing I love, earning a shot ton of money and the crazy ass prof who I thought was smart and would help me.