As already said Cisco's certification program is becoming like the "official" school for certain IT areas but this definition is it's problem, i mean that a certification is a start-up for a knowledge that you are maturing inside your jobplace and your daily activity instead is becoming more and more as a "i am an expert since i had my certification..." and that's just wrong.
It's almost 10 years i am working for a Telco and this year i should start my CCNP but this doesn't mean that i am not workin on what i will work AFTER my certification, it's added-value. The idea of being certified for having a job is good if applyed to ANY certification AND any experience, in fact in the END company want PROOF

I wish you all a good day