Do you want to take a step up in your life and enroll in a certification program? That’s awesome! Maybe you want to progress in your career, change industry, or just learn something new. Whatever the reason is, you’re doing a great thing. But before you start, you must know certain things. No certification program is the same, so it’s very important for your experience and success which one you will choose. We want to help you with this part of life, so here are 8 important steps to take before enrolling in a certification program. There is no need to waste a lot of time and money, so let’s get started!
Decide What Is Your Main Goal
Before you go to Google and start making your top list, breathe and take some time. What is your main? Why do you want to be certified? Do you want to advance in your current career, switch to a completely new field, or just learn something new? This is an important question to ask yourself, as it’s the only way to find a program perfect for your vision. For example, if you’re in Australia and want to start a career in education or training, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is what you should look for. This certification is very popular among people who want to become trainers or assessors in vocational education. However, if you have a different vision – for example, you want to work in IT or healthcare, this is not the right choice. As you can see, it’s very important to decide what you want. It will save you a lot of time and energy.
Start Your Research Properly
Once you know your main goal, it’s time to start your research properly. Remember that no certification is the same, because some hold more value in specific industries than others. For example, if you want to get a certification in project management, you should research if it’s approved by the industry or company you want to work for. Research if a certain certificate is a requirement for the job you’re looking at. Also, research if it will give you an advantage over other candidates. How to do so? Look at job postings, talk to people who work in that field, or even reach out to professional organizations. It’s very important to check if the certificate is worth your time and money.
Check the Accreditation
This is a very important step. Before you make any decision or enroll, check if a program is accredited by a responsible organization. Accreditations are there to tell you that a program meets the required standards and that your certificate will be accepted by companies and institutions. For example, if you want to get certified in IT, the program should be accredited by Microsoft, CompTIA, or another recognized institution. Remember, if they don’t have the accreditation, you will get a worthless certification. Don’t skip this step!
Compare Costs
Different certification programs have different costs, so compare them before enrolling. What should you eat? Tuition fees, materials, exam costs, membership fees… Always remember that the price doesn’t guarantee anything – the most expensive program isn’t necessarily the best one and vice versa. If your budget is tight, check if there is any financial support available. A lot of programs offer scholarships or affordable payment plans. The government or your employer can even subsidize some of the programs, so always explore your options.
See How Much Time You’d Need to Dedicate
Certification programs can last from a few weeks to a few months, or even years. Before enrolling, you should calculate how much time you’d need to dedicate and if it aligns with your schedule. First of all, check if the program is self-paced or if there are fixed deadlines. This is important because if the deadlines are fixed, you will need to take time off work or change your daily routines. Always be honest with yourself about how much time you can dedicate to this. If you have a full-time job, family, or hobbies that you want to continue, you should choose a program that has time flexibility (for example, they offer part-time or online learning).
Read Reviews
The best way to see if a certain certification program is a good one is to read reviews of people who’ve already completed it. Pay attention to what students loved or did not love about the program and whether they feel like it prepared them well for future careers. You should also pay attention to what people say about the instructors. For example, were they supportive and well-prepared or not? If you want even more experience, you can reach out to alumni on LinkedIn or other professional networks. Reviews and experiences are important for any field, as you will see how certain certificates helped (or did not help) people in their careers.
Think About Your Learning Style
Every person has different learning methods, and this is normal. You should always choose a program that matches your style and methods. Do you want to have more practice, or you’re good with just lectures and reading materials? Do you want a traditional classroom, or do you want online learning and flexibility? Remember, there are tons of different programs available, both online and in-person. It’s always better to choose the one that matches your style 100% and where you’ll feel comfortable.
Plan the Future
Last but not least – you shouldn’t just choose the program that feels attractive at this moment. Instead, you should think about the future. Will this program open doors for you? Will the certification stay relevant over time? Will you need to renew it at some point? If you plan, you will choose a perfect certification that will keep your skills up to date.
Always take some time before hitting the “enroll” button to do some research and planning. Certification programs will take some time from you, so it’s important to choose the one that will be worth it. Good luck!