Are you the type who won’t invest time and money into something without first calculating the return on investment? That’s understandable.
After earning an education and finding a good job, you might wonder whether or not to pursue professional certifications. While doing so won’t drain your wallet the way a multi-year degree program will, it’ll still cost you something. It might also mean revising your work and personal schedule to make time to complete the certification requirements.
If you’re sitting on the fence about professional certifications, here are seven reasons they’re worth it.
- Enhances Career Growth Potential
Earning professional certifications can facilitate career growth. If you have plans for your career and want to continue climbing the corporate ladder, committing to continuous learning is one way to achieve your goal.
You’ll continue adding more skills that position you to take advantage of opportunities that help you fulfill your career objectives.
- Establishes Industry Recognition
You can also achieve industry recognition by earning professional certifications. Depending on the industry you’re in or want to break into, professional certifications can be game-changing in their impact. Earning them could open doors since these designations will set you apart.
- Provides a Competitive Advantage
Sometimes you need a competitive advantage to get ahead — something that sets you apart from other candidates. If you’re applying for a job and have the same general qualifications as other top candidates, you might need something that differentiates you from the rest. One way to do this is by earning professional certifications in your field.
- Validates Your Expertise
Have you ever heard the saying, “Show me — don’t tell me”? The sentiment applies when considering the workforce. It’s one thing to tell a prospective employer about your skills. Anyone can do that. But it’s another thing entirely to produce proof backing up your claims.
As long as professional certifications come from reputable bodies, a prospective boss can be reasonably certain the earner of the professional certifications is the real deal and knows their stuff.
- Expands Career Opportunities
Earning professional certifications is another way to expand career opportunities, whether at your current employer or elsewhere. Job listings sometimes specify certain required certifications. In other words, some businesses won’t accept work experience as a replacement for a degree or professional certification. So, the more skills you add through professional certifications, the more career opportunities will open up.
The good news is many professional certifications can be earned quickly without jeopardizing the learning experience. For instance, if you work in a facility and want to earn a forklift certification, you can do that within an hour. Whether you go that route or choose a professional designation in another field, it doesn’t have to take forever to gain the skills required.
- Validates Industry Knowledge
Do you want to be a thought leader in your industry? Being a thought leader means you have a deep knowledge of your industry and can be counted on to share your reflections and ideas.
Earning professional certifications in your industry can strengthen your credibility in that space. The right certifications will demonstrate you know what you’re talking about and are uniquely qualified to be a leading voice in the industry.
- Promotes Lifelong Learning
Yet another reason it makes sense to pursue professional certifications is that it can be part of a lifelong learning plan. It’s important to continue learning since the more you learn, the better you’ll be at what you do and the more prepared you’ll be to seize opportunities.
It’s worthwhile to pursue professional certifications in whatever profession or trade you’re in. In addition to helping you build a strong career, going this route will help keep your mind active and engaged.
