| Certification |
|
|
What is a certification?
A certification, or just "certificate" as they are sometimes
known, is an official test or document that certifies a person's
competency in a given trade or field of study. Some certifications
may involve a simple test at a government office, such as a food
handlers' permit. Others can involve very specific, very thorough
training in a particular process or trade, such as a journeyman
electrician's license.
What kinds of certifications are there?
There are thousands of certifications available today. In almost
any given career field, there is some form of certificate proving
your competence in your chosen trade. A certification is not the
same thing as degree, as most degrees require study in a range
of subjects. Certifications typically focus on a single field
or even a single process within a field.
How do I obtain a certification?
The process to obtain a certification depends on what the certification
is for. If you are looking for a certification to become an inspector,
for example, you may only need a certain amount of experience
in your field. Most city or county offices can give you information
on inspectors' licenses and the necessary process.
If you are looking for a certification that is more specialized,
such as computer programming, you may need to enroll in a training
program in a technical school and go through months of study.
After the study, some schools offer a comprehensive exam to actually
receive your official certificate.
Some large companies have their own training programs or schools
within the company itself. Others may be willing to reimburse
you for the cost of the certification, if it is of benefit to
them. Some companies encourage their employees to receive training
on a regular basis to keep their job skills up-to-date.
Are certifications necessary to obtain a job?
Many people can obtain an entry-level position for nearly any
given company without needing a certificate or degree. However,
in today's competitive job market, many companies will insist
on an employee gaining a certain level of training and certification
in order to advance in position in the company. Experience is
always a plus, but without formal training, it can be difficult
to compete in an ever-changing global market.
What is the cost to certify and how long is a certificate good
for?
The cost for a certification varies widely. It depends on the
amount of training necessary and how comprehensive the exam is.
Many government licenses can be less than a hundred dollars. Very
specialized certifications can cost thousands of dollars. The
length of time a certificate is good for also varies. Some require
a single test, others must be renewed frequently.
Is it worth it for me to get a certification?
There are a few questions you must ask yourself when considering
a particular certification. Is it directly involved with your
career field? How serious are you about continuing in your field?
Also, consider the cost. Will the cost of the licensing and possible
renewal fees be more than the benefit to your career? For example,
if you do freelance computer work on a part-time basis, it may
not be worth it to get a computer certification, as you will not
use it often enough to justify the fees. However, if you are working
for a computer company and looking to advance, or looking to get
a better job with another company, getting that certification
may put you ahead of the pack. It shows you are serious about
your career and keeping your skills sharp and updated.
|
|
