Project Management Professional Certification... Is it Essential?

For people that are interested in the area of Project Management, one thing that is brought up a lot is the Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification. But is this certification an essential step for someone who wants to enter this field? I recently read an article that explored this very topic. In this article titled, "Project Managers' Views on the Value of a PMP Certifiction", Andrew Makar explores a little bit of this very topic, as well as getting the opinions from other project managers. One of the things Makar says is, 

However, certification is merely a test; it validates academic competency, but it doesn't prove you have a historic track record of success... Ultimately, I believe long-term career success depends on the person and not the credentials. People, not certifications, deliver projects.

This seems to follow along the lines of a college degree. Certainly there are people who can be successful who do not have a college degree, but it is harder to achieve. With the PMP certification, you are not only learning the knowledge of the PMP framework so that it is easier to communicate what the Project Book of Knowledge (PMBOK) explains, but you are showing that you are capable of completing a project you are passionate about. Because getting a certification in anything can be viewed as an individual project you are taking on. So is the PMP certification essential? No, I don't believe so. Would it be a good idea to get this if you were interested in pursuing a project management role? I believe so, yes.
I thought that this final quote from the article was a very insightful one regarding the certification.

I have found the PMP to be a "door opener" — the minimum requirement for most opportunities. After that, it's about how I apply the information, demonstrate leadership and apply the skills to project challenges that help advance my career.

Now for myself, should I decide to pursue project management, would I work to get the PMP certification? Yes, I would. Even if it isn't essential to have it to become a project manager, I believe it shows that you are willing to put in the extra effort to learn even more about this field. So yes, I would indeed try to get myself certified.