Six Sigma is a concept launched by Bill Smith in 1986. Smith worked as a senior engineer and scientist at Motorola, and he intended on creating a standardized approach to focus on concerns related to the effectiveness of processes in all areas of an organization. Since the concept’s introduction, it has been used by many global organizations to scale their operations and improve business performance.
Since it was founded in 1986, Six Sigma has helped countless businesses—and business leaders—find new and innovative ways to solve modern business problems. And while Six Sigma may sound like a Greek fraternity, it is actually a tried and true standardized approach to solving process problems on a grand scale, regardless of industry. So, does improving processes, tackling complex problems and leading a business sound appealing to you? Then earning a Six Sigma Certificate might just be for you.
Six Sigma is a “methodology that utilizes statistical tools and concepts to identify variations or defects in a process.” These tools and concepts are designed to help organizations increase their performance to ultimately reduce error, increase profits and improve morale and production quality.
The ultimate benefit of having a Six Sigma certificate is that it A) demonstrates your complete understanding of Six Sigma methodology, tools, and concepts and B) shows your commitment to helping the organization improve in nearly all facets of operation. What’s more, because Six Sigma is a renowned organization, it is quickly recognized on resumes and is widely respected across industries.
All formal Six Sigma Certifications are described by a “belt,” meaning the further certifications you earn, the more belts or higher belts you will earn. Six Sigma Certification is structured very similarly to karate, where beginners earn white belts while proficient members are recognized with a black belt.
Here is a breakdown of the formal Six Sigma belt levels:
Earning a six sigma certificate will at a minimum give you new knowledge and skills that you can apply in your day-to-day work. While this is an important benefit, it’s not the biggest appeal of getting your certification. Here are the top benefits of earning your Six Sigma certification:
With a Six Sigma certificate, many doors will open for you in terms of what jobs are available and at what level you can work. And, these opportunities can translate across industries, making the benefits of Six Sigma that much more. To help break down the correlation between belt level and job title, here is a quick comparison of jobs commonly held by each Six Sigma certificate.
Many businesses, including Fortune 500 companies, require those in certain positions to hold Six Sigma Certificates. Here is sampling of some of the top organizations that seek members of Six Sigma:
Deciding whether or not to pursue a Six Sigma Certificate comes down to what your ultimate goals are for your career. If you aspire to be a leader, a problem solver and an invaluable asset to your company, then Six Sigma is likely a wise choice. There are many variables to weigh, though, and you want to invest in the right areas of your professional development.
To help inform your decision, here are six reasons that might persuade you to pursue a Six Sigma Certificate:
If you’re interested in a Six Sigma Certificate, consider earning your Lean Six Sigma Certificate from the University of San Diego Division of Professional and Continuing Education. This program is available online and provides participants with an understanding of the strategic importance of business improvement, the need for fact-based management and how to deploy these tools in different sectors and organizations.
If you’re still doing your research, here are few more resources for Six Sigma:
A Six Sigma Certificate demonstrates one’s comprehensive understanding of the Six Sigma concepts, tools and methodologies. Six Sigma itself is “methodology that utilizes statistical tools and concepts to identify variations or defects in a process.”
There are many benefits of earning a Six Sigma Certificate, but the top ones include:
The average salary of a Six Sigma Certificate holder will vary from industry to industry, but research has shown that members can earn upwards of $115,000 per year, especially in leadership positions.
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