Katie,

As with any certification, most of the benefit is yours, rather than your
employer's. if the certification is not required for your current job, or
the next job in your career path with your employer, most employers will
see the benefit as accruing solely to you, likely for your next job with
another employer. While that may seem a somewhat cynical response, it is
true in many organizations. That said, if you are client-facing or if
certifications are a big deal for your employer, then the organization may
find value in encouraging you to get a certification or three.

In general, the process of preparing for any certification will generally
enable you to refresh key concepts in the discipline, then demonstrate
mastery of the knowledge of those key concepts. Certification maintenance
ensures that you will stay reasonably current in the profession by
continually attending educational events.

Certification usually does not translate to increased compensation unless
the certification is required for promotion. In most cases, you're doing
the exact same job on the Monday after you get certified, so there is
usually no reason to pay you more.

For many organizations, certification is a costly endeavor with little
upside. First, the organization has to pay for the certification process,
then the organization has to pay for educational conferences in order for
the employee to maintain certification. The employee is typically looking
for increased compensation, or leaves for another opportunity where the
certification is valued.

Again, that is a cynical viewpoint that is often taken by organizations
with a severe focus on the bottom line. What you need to look at is
two-fold: first, does your organization value employee growth and
education? Second, what personal investment are you willing to make in your
career? Relative to the first question, the answer to that is found when
you have a career development plan that you have worked out with your
manager. You have set out the educational goals, as well as the performance
goals that will take you on a path to your next opportunity in your career
growth. Certification may not necessarily be a part of that plan, but
should be something that you and your manager carefully consider, including
the need for ongoing certification maintenance and a plan to ensure that
you meet those requirements. Relative to the second question, if your
employer and manager do not work with you on a career development plan,
then you need to invest in your self. That may mean paying for
certification and education out of pocket. But look very carefully at any
certification that your are interested in. What are the requirements to be
accepted into the process? Most require a combination of relevant education
and experience. Some are very specific about what can be counted. What is
covered in the examination and what sort of exam is given? What assistance
is given to familiarize you with the exam? What are the certification
maintenance requirements? What counts towards those hours? Is there a
minimum requirement every year? Is there an annual cost to maintain
certification? And most importantly, what does it do for your knowledge
base and how does it help you be a better employee? Certifications are not
magic. I've met plenty of people with various certifications that couldn't
do the job in the field they were certified in. I've met people with
certifications earned in "boot camps" that had no practical experience in
what they were certified to do. And the converse is also true -- many, many
people who have chosen not to be certified who are brilliant in their field.

For someone new to a profession, certification is often a stepping-stone to
show that you are serious about your craft and that you have some basic
level of knowledge and commitment to the profession.

At the end of the day, any certification is an investment in your
professional growth. If your employer is willing to make that investment,
that's great; but you should always be prepared to make that investment on
your own -- it is, after all, your career.


Patrick Cunningham, CISM, FAI

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