Imagine earning a degree in technology in the 1990s—considering the technological leaps over the past three decades, making much of the content and technology obsolete today. Modern-day hardware, software, programming languages, and how information is exchanged are completely different.
What then does this mean for a working professional who’s concerned about their career progression and earning potential? Does a change in the times necessitate a return to academia to get up to speed on what’s current? Not exactly.
Employers can’t reasonably expect their workforce to return to the classroom every few decades, but they do expect employees to take advantage of the educational resources and training that keep their knowledge base and skill set relevant. Continuing education coursework has proven effective in this regard. In this article, we’ll break down some of the main benefits of continuing education, and then explore how certificates can facilitate a person’s career progression and increase their salary.
Are Professional Certificates Worth It?
Certificates demonstrate to employers that a candidate possesses skills and knowledge in a specified area. However, individuals must invest time, effort, and sometimes money. Naturally, people new to the field of continuing education want to know if professional certificates are worth it.
The value of a certificate is dependent on a few factors, including the following:
- Level of education of the candidate
- Career progression goals
- How essential the skills and knowledge taught in the certificate program are to the job role
- Cost of the certificate program vs. the return on investment
- Job market competition
Some of the core benefits of certificate and continuing education programs are explored below.
Certificate Programs Are a Viable Alternative to College Degree Programs
According to College Board’s 2023-2024 data, a four-year in-state public degree program costs approximately $11,260; a four-year out-of-state degree program costs approximately $29,150. For an individual who wants to learn about a single subject or develop a specific competency, degree programs are demanding in terms of cost and time.
Professional certificates afford people the opportunity to learn the skills and competencies they need for their job role at a fraction of the cost and without the four-year time commitment. For example, the Suffolk Center for Continuing & Professional Education (CCPE) offers certificate programs for less than $1,500. Additionally, some employers will reimburse their employees for certificate program expenses.
Professional Certificates Demonstrate Skill and Experience to Employers
Most people include a skills section on their resume or professional profile. However, listing a skill doesn’t communicate the candidate’s level of proficiency to employers the way that a professional certificate does. A significant advantage of earning a professional certificate is that it easily conveys to employers that the candidate has earned their knowledge and skills from an institution.
Professional Certificates Can Facilitate Career Progression and Salary Increases
When a position opens up within an organization, employers typically have two main options. They can either promote a candidate from within or go with an external hire. The advantage of promoting from within is that it demonstrates to other employees that career progression is possible within the organization. Furthermore, employers already know that an internal employee is a good culture fit.
If the organization needs a project manager, for example, it may already have an employee in mind for the position. The only caveat is that the candidate must get up to speed on certain project management competencies and skills before they can be effective in the role. Taking advantage of a project management certificate course results in a win-win.
First, the organization successfully fills the project manager position with a qualified candidate who’s already known and trusted. This also allows the organization to save on recruitment costs. Second, the employee earns a professional credential that yields a promotion and salary increase.
DEI Students Recognize the Value of Certificates
Discussing professional certificates in a theoretical sense demonstrates their value to an extent. To fully articulate the value of earning certificates, we’ve curated some quotes on the subject from students who completed the Suffolk CCPE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) certificate program.
“Having this credential will undoubtedly impact my career. I believe it will enhance my professional development opportunities, and it will make me a more attractive candidate for future leadership positions. With the increased focus on DEI in today’s workplaces, having a credential in this area will provide me with a competitive edge and help me to better serve our students and colleagues. I highly recommend the DEI Certificate program to anyone who is committed to advancing DEI initiatives and enhancing their career opportunities, and I especially commend Dr. Joyya Smith for her excellent instructional leadership.”
—Aprilis Diaz
Director of Career & Professional Development, Eastern Nazarene College
“Now, with the Suffolk University CCPE certificate, I am pivoting to what I am calling my Third Wind, like the feeling one gets at the end of a gym workout telling oneself there’s more in me to do another round. My timing is great as more companies are seeking DEI Managers. I am very enthused by this CCPE certificate, not only for the new learning and skills, but also for confirmation that many of my prior experiences were valid in the sense that this learning described specialized practices and skills that I had been performing, and now named and packaged these to readily transfer to growing opportunities with many companies.”
—Wil Soltysik-Española
Sr. Employee Relations Partner, Mass General Brigham
“I am so excited to have completed Suffolk University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certificate. It was the perfect amount of information and homework while employed full time. I gained more knowledge on DEI, including strategic planning and the ‘call in or call out’ method I frequently use. Joyya Smith is a wonderful educator, and I enjoyed our face-to-face class discussions. I would recommend this program to anyone who is looking to build capacity in the DEI arena.”
—Jenny Perez Parker
Director of the Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Nichols College
Invest in Your Career Progression with a Professional Certificate
Employers in virtually every industry use metrics such as education and experience to gauge the viability of candidates. Even if a candidate looks good on paper, the risk remains that they aren’t as proficient in a certain area as the employer hopes.
Professional certificates remove much of the guesswork from the assessment process, helping employers feel confident in their candidate’s skills, abilities, and knowledge. Credentialed candidates have enhanced credibility, demonstrate that they’re current with industry standards, and illustrate their commitment to their area of specialty.
Those who’ve been searching for ways to jump-start their career progression are encouraged to explore Suffolk CCPE’s professional certificate courses. The Suffolk CCPE features various certificate programs in areas such as technology, leadership, DEI, design, and marketing.
Learn more about our certificate programs so that you can see how they’ll facilitate your career progression and make you more competitive in today’s job market.
Recommended Readings:
Communication Etiquette in Business: Dos and Don’ts
Sources:
College Board, Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2023
Indeed, What Are Professional Certificates? (With 10 Certificates)
LinkedIn, “Why Professional Certificates Are Vital for Career Advancement and Promotion?”
MassMailer, How Much Does a Salesforce Certification Cost?
National Conference of State Legislatures, State Approaches to Nondegree Credentials
Yahoo Finance, “10 Certifications That Can Boost Your Salary”