Tip #21 - Get a Professional Certification
How do people in your profession establish credibility? Years of experience? Higher education? Professionalism? Knowledge of your industry? All of the above?
What “tickets” do professionals in your field need to “get punched” in order to be counted in the upper echelon of your field? Accountants sit for the CPA or CMA exam. Lawyers have to pass the Bar Exam for the state(s) in which they practice law. Project Managers can get a PMP certification. Human Resource managers can go for the PHR, SPHR, or GPRH. For some professions these certifications are required. In other fields they are a way of gaining status. Sometimes these certifications require education and a certain number of years in practice. Others can be achieved straight out of college or grad school. Do you know the certification requirements and opportunities for your profession?
Many professions REQUIRE continuing education or advanced certification of their members. Professional certification is a great way to keep up on the changes happening in your field. It’s a way to learn more about what’s happening in your industry or profession, and a it’s also a GREAT way to distinguish yourself from others who do the same thing you do.
You should note that there is a difference between certification and certificates. Many universities have certificate programs for anyone who wants to enroll. They provide a certain level of knowledge about a profession, and they sometimes will help prepare students for taking the certification exams. Certification, on the other hand, is usually provided by the profession itself. Certification is often a more rigorous process and is more widely recognized among the members of the profession granting certification.
If you want to advance your career, look into obtaining a professional certification.