Optimum Time, The utility of professional certifications.
Colonel Dr James N Phillips Jr., LT, SC, USN Ret
Founder - Remember Veteran Grave Markers, Inc., Navy Veteran, Kentucky Colonel, The Contracting Guy, Chevalier SMOTJ, Brand Ambassador, Son of Confederate Veteran, Son of American Revolution, Social Media Influencer
What good are professional certifications if employers don't value the actual certification??I'm not referring to professional licensing or certifications on new technology, rather I am addressing the certifications created by professional associations for its professionals. ?As for Value, I mean the employer is willing to compensate the professional MORE, for achieving a higher level of professional competency as suggested by the certification and its requirements for re-certification.?
This is an empirical study. In my 30 years of experience, particularly with the Federal Government, I find that the NCMA, ASQ, or even PMI certifications have a passing value for individual esteem and intra-professional association growth but fail to be meaningfully acknowledged by the Government Employer. ?
There have been many attempts over the years "to normalize" or synthesize the professional certification to achieve some Governmental acknowledgment, but it usually has ended up not useful.?This is also true in that DoD did not recognize the FAC-C Level III as equivalent to the DAWIA Level 3 in Contracting.?Odd, since many of the classes exactly the same, I digress.
It is my position that there is an optimal period in which professionals will benefit from a professional certification see the model.?Note the brackets for Knowledge and for Experience. Knowledge is between 25-45 (mean 35) and early in their career up to a point where they still are accumulating knowledge.?Conversely, a professional early in their career may not substantially benefit as they lack experience, and someone achieving the EXPERT level of knowledge will win opportunities no expertise, not certifications. ?
Conversely, a professional early in their career may not substantially benefit as they lack experience, and someone achieving the EXPERT level of knowledge will win opportunities no expertise, not certifications. This study is limited by my professional experience and observations. It does not suggest that everyone fits into this Model as presented. ?People change, and so do professions and employers. The Model does however convey a perspective, its utility is in discussion with Professional, employer, and Professional Associations.
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1.????For the Professional, When is the optimum time to get a Certification?
2.????For the Employer, When would you consider professional certifications most valuable (remember what Value means).
3.????For the Professional Association, What grouping of professionals would benefit from the Association's membership and its knowledge transfer as evidenced in the Certification????
Founder - Remember Veteran Grave Markers, Inc., Navy Veteran, Kentucky Colonel, The Contracting Guy, Chevalier SMOTJ, Brand Ambassador, Son of Confederate Veteran, Son of American Revolution, Social Media Influencer
2 年The value of this is that it serves as a starting point for discussion. I strongly subscribe to Professional Certifications (CFCM, PMP, etc) however, from experience I have never received an GS 1102 or GS 343 position in the Government that required THAT CERTIFICATION. It may have required the underlying skills though! In the end, I did it for me, with the hopes that eventually it would find utility within the Government or with the Private sector. This is not to say that amongst my peers in the Association, that it wasn't valued. Bottom line is that a Certification has a sweet spot and there is a point when it is no longer useful. (Total Cost of Recertification weighed against Employer Value).