I'd like to support ar0n's point of view.
Despite being a Saint, I know a bunch of monks with a better, Perl knowledge than I have.
Some even have better programming skills than I.

As you can earn XP (and hence status) by asking question, or posting node, or voting
or even just connecting; the Status is by no way an indication of your Perl knowledge...

But if I may add my comment : it's true for a lot of diplomas/certifications...
Being Brainbench certified only mean that somebody (some people ?)
answered correctly to a test (possibly randomly).
Having a diploma only means that you manage to pass exams.(Whatever the mean ;-)
I'm not saying that diplomas/certification are useless, I'm just saying that they are only indication,
and that you shouldn't base ALL your opinion on it...
Skill isn't TIED to diplomas/certification Even in the *other* way :
One of the best coder I know don't have much diplomas/certification...


Furthermore, I'd like to underline that often technical skills aren't enough to be a good/useful coder.
I mean a recruiter, usually seek someone to work in a team, able to stand pressure, respects deadlines,
adapt to job constraint and code fast...
With those needs even a 'Technical God' with no social/communication qualities,
unable to work properly when stressed proposing THEORICALY perfect solutions coded wouldn't last long...

If I should resume my thought :
Be proud of your monk status, but not too proud as it doesn't PROOVE* anything...

* Oh my god ! Now I'm using this word too ;-)

"Only Bad Coders Code Badly In Perl" (OBC2BIP)