During the job hunt, differentiating yourself from the competition can be difficult. While highlighting both your years of relevant experience and diverse skill set is certainly beneficial, many employers value applicants who show a vested interest in continuing to learn and grow in their careers. But with a work-life balance that is already out of whack and a schedule that has seemingly little wiggle room, many wonder how they can demonstrate such a commitment.
This is where certificate programs come in.
Professional certificates —commonly available through accredited colleges and universities and national associations — can equip you with the most up-to-date knowledge and abilities in a chosen field. While certificates aren’t necessarily for everyone, they are for many. When it comes time to weigh your options, use these 8 questions to determine whether or not a professional certificate is right for you.
The first, and arguably most important thing to understand is the difference between a certificate and a certification. The Institute for Credentialing Excellence makes the following key distinction about certificates vs. certification:
In essence, a certificate is a program you can enroll in to learn about a new topic or skills
or to enhance your knowledge about a given field. A certification, on the other hand, is taken after you have gained new skills and knowledge, and is used to demonstrate a certain standard of competence in that given discipline.
There are a few common misconceptions around professional certificates that, once more completely understood, actually highlight the upside of certificate programs. Here are a few myths — and truths — about certificate programs.
Download eBook: Top 32 Tips to Stay on the Cutting Edge in Your Business Career
There are numerous benefits you can expect when enrolling in a professional certificate program — increased earning potential, for starters — that make certificates a worthwhile endeavor. Here are a few of the biggest upsides of pursuing a certificate.
Deciding whether or not to pursue a professional certificate is no small feat, so when the time comes ask the following questions to ensure you’re selecting the right option for you.
Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few potential certificate programs, weigh your options based on the following four questions. These will serve to guide you toward a certificate that best fits your schedule, your budget, your expectations and your goals.
At the University of San Diego Division of Professional and Continuing Education, we are proud to offer a diverse catalog of certificate programs that check the aforementioned boxes. Our certificates are both challenging and thought-provoking while also being flexible and designed for the modern professional. Whether you’re in healthcare or education, business or engineering, we have a certificate that suits your current role and aspirational career path. Please contact us today to learn more about any of our online certificate offerings.
A professional certificate is “an educational or training program that is used to teach learning objectives and assess whether those objectives were achieved by the student.
The short answer is yes, professional certificates are worth it. Just a few of the many benefits of earning a certificate include gaining a competitive advantage over peers in your field, obtaining new skills to leverage in your current role, increasing your earning potential and demonstrating to your bosses a passion for and commitment to your craft.
A quick online search will turn up a long list of certificate programs. However, the most reputable ones will most likely be available from accredited colleges and universities, so begin your search there.
Learn practical skills from expert instructors to boost your resume or succeed in your current role.