{"id":8479,"date":"2019-01-10T09:00:47","date_gmt":"2019-01-10T14:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.spcollege.edu\/careers-internships\/?p=8479"},"modified":"2024-01-30T14:18:29","modified_gmt":"2024-01-30T19:18:29","slug":"industry-certification-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.spcollege.edu\/careers-internships\/industry-certification-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"Industry Certification Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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If you are\nlooking for ways to differentiate yourself in the job market, adding industry\ncertifications (alongside your college degree) may be just what you need. Many of\nour students pursuing Associate in Science degrees at St. Petersburg College\nare already earning certifications free<\/strong>,\nthrough federal grant funding. Some of those certifications include CompTIA\nSecurity+, Adobe Certified Associate Photoshop, and Autodesk Certified User\nAutoCAD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have featured\na few of their success stories on the blog:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Career Changer: Sports Medicine to Cybersecurity<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

MSP:In Step with the New Economy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

#GetCertifiedSPC- Cybersecurity<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

SPC Titan Alumni:Where Are They Now? \u2013 Emily Varjassy<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the\ndifferences between a certification and a traditional college course exam are\ntoo often confused. This confusion sometimes results in students who sit for\ntheir first certification exam unprepared. Let me explain industry\ncertifications in depth, so you can arrive to your certification exam as\nprepared as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is an industry certification and\nwhy should you care?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

An industry\ncertification is a voluntary process where individuals are assessed by an\nindependent, third-party certifying entity, using predetermined standards for\nknowledge, skills, and competencies. When a certification exam is passed, it results\nin the award of a credential that is nationally (and sometimes internationally)\nrecognized. Some examples of certification entities are AHIMA, Autodesk,\nCompTIA, and Cisco. Industry certifications are valuable to employers because\nthey verify a job candidate\u2019s technical skillset. By having earned the\ncertification credential, an employer can safely assume that the candidate has proven\nknowledge and skill in a particular subject. Industry certification exams are\nrigorous and unlike any exam you have ever completed. Although certification\nexams are difficult, many can still be earned with short-term training, before\ngraduation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That is why SPC has aligned over 30 courses in our Associate in Science and certificate programs<\/a> with industry-recognized certifications. We also have many reciprocal agreements called articulations,which award free college credit<\/a> toward a particular degree program for valid certifications you earn even before you become a student with us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knowledge gained\nin the classroom lays the foundation for the practical skills you will apply\nwhen taking a certification exam. Some classes at SPC include industry\ncertification exams as final exams. However, make no mistake, additional preparation outside of the\nclassroom will be necessary before you get ready to certify<\/strong>. Before I\nexplain how you can prepare, let\u2019s dive further into the two ways industry\ncertifications are classified.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is the difference between an\nEvergreen and a Terminal Industry Certification?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Most certifications are referred to as evergreen <\/strong>and require the credentialed individual to meet continuing education (CE)requirements to maintain their certification over time. Think of the nurturing it takes to keep an evergreen tree alive. Comp TIAA A+ is an example of evergreen certification.  If an individual does not actively seek continuing education (nurturing) during the period of time their certification is valid (typically 1 to 3 years), the credential may lapse and they would have to sit for the certification exam again. The good news is that CE units are oftentimes free through the certification entity when you participate in their live events, serve on advisory panels, or watch a webinar. A great way to ensure you are notified of these options is to join their certification-specific mailing list. You may find yourself automatically receiving these updates once you are certified! Although not as appealing as free CE units, some entities offer lower-cost recertification options to keep a credential valid. CompTIA\u2019s CertMaster<\/a>,is a great example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A termina<\/strong>l certification (time specific)\nfocuses on a software specific skillset and includes the year of the product\nexam.  For example, I hold a QuickBooks\nCertified User (QBCU) 2015 certification (time driven so terminal). As\nQuickBooks software improves and new versions are made available, I could\nchoose to earn the latest version and ensure my skillset is \u201cof-the-moment.\u201d  Nevertheless, my terminal QBUC 2015\ncertification remains valid and does not require CE.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to prepare for an industry\ncertification exam           <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

After surveying\na group of our certified students, I found that they had a few things in common\nwith the way they approached their certification preparation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their proven\nframework will help you take your next step along the path to certifying:<\/p>\n\n\n\n