Staying relevant in your industry is not only helpful — it is essential in today’s increasingly competitive professional landscape. The workforce has never been more crowded with qualified, hungry professionals who are all competing against other ambition job seekers like yourself.
So, how can you stay relevant in your career? What kind of academic program will upskill you without disrupting your already busy life?
Let’s talk about what questions you should ask before choosing to enroll in an accessible, flexible program — like a professional certificate program.
Choosing a professional development certificate program
Before choosing to invest in a professional certificate program, it is important to ask yourself some pointed questions regarding your goals and motivations.
1. Why do I want to pursue a professional development certificate?
Determining your “why” for seeking a certification will help you stay motivated when you find yourself balancing work, school and personal obligations. Think through the benefits of achieving a professional certificate and determine how those benefits will impact you professionally and personally.
By keeping your eye on your long-term career goals, you will have an easier time staying on track when you encounter challenges related to your program.
2. Which certificate should I choose?
Before choosing a specific certificate, start by thinking about your career goals and then work backwards. Once you have identified where you want your career to go, start researching certificate options that align with those goals.
Take the time to understand the individual learning outcomes that the program will provide to give you a better understanding of the skills and knowledge you will emerge with.
3. How will this certification equip me to boost my career?
If you are going to invest your time, money and energy into a certificate program, then you obviously want to know if that investment is going to pay off.
Research shows that professionals with more academic credentials are more eligible for promotions, higher salaries and job security, so you can rest assured that your completion of a certificate program will result in a career boost.
4. How do I prepare to succeed in the program?
To ensure success in any academic program, it is important to prepare yourself for a shift in responsibilities. You will have to set aside time for classes, homework and studying — so evaluate your schedule and determine your availability.
Whether you have been out of school for years or whether you are starting a certification program right after your last academic program, it is crucial that you are intentional about your time management, organization and communication skills.
5. Will the certificate courses count towards a bachelor’s degree?
If you don’t yet have a bachelor’s degree, you might consider choosing a certificate program that will count towards an undergraduate degree (should you decide to pursue one). The traditional bachelor’s degree requires 120 credits, so if you earn 15-20 credits through a certificate program, you will have already knocked out a semester or so of college credits.
Learn more about the Mount’s Professional Development Certificate programs!
Advance your career with an online certificate. Earning a certificate from Mount Saint Mary’s University can help you build on your professional skills, cultivate your credentials and advance your career. The Mount offers a variety of certificate programs that are designed for driven professionals looking to advance their career.
If you want to invest in a Professional Development Certificate program in either Data Analytics, Human Resources Management or Digital Marketing, then we encourage you to take the next step today.
Now is the time to invest in your future, so start your online application!
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