Licensing And Certifications: How To Power Up Your Career Potential

Most people work hard in their careers with hopes of moving up the ranks, and at one time, when workers spent more time with a single company, this was often possible through sheer persistence.

In today’s professional settings, though, the best way to progress is often by pursuing additional qualifications that will set you apart from others at your company or in your applicant pool. If you’re considering what’s next for your career, one of these licenses or certificates could help you get just the professional edge you’re seeking.

Advance Your Cisco Knowledge

There’s always demand for individuals with technology and communications skills, and because the industry advances and evolves so often, there’s always room for growth. If you’re interested in boosting your IT credentials, then, one option to consider is taking the Cisco 300-075 exam, which focuses on Cisco’s Video Communications Servers and related functions. Passing this exam comes with the title Cisco CCNP Certified Specialist, which will open doors to jobs involving multisite IT management.

Become A CPA

While some industries, like IT, have a seemingly endless assortment of possible qualifications, others offer just a few critical ones – and one industry that falls under this latter umbrella is accounting. Though there are a number of different accounting specialties and designations, you can definitely build an entire career on one key exam, such as the CPA exam.

If you’re interested in qualifying to become a CPA, you’ll need to apply to your state board of accountancy, which will determine whether you are qualified to register for your CPA exam. There are several parts to the exam, but if you pass them all, you’ll be qualified to begin your new career as a CPA.

Look To Local Government

Some career-related tests are administered by private organizations, such as those related to Cisco systems; others are run by testing-specific companies, and some are organized around regulators like the local or state government. In fact, just as you have to apply to the state board to be able to take the CPA exam, in some places you need to be tested and licensed to work as a landscape architect, interior designer, or land surveyor. States or cities often administer tests for teachers, firefighters, and other public employees.

Top Tier Professions

People contribute to society in a variety of ways, but two careers often viewed as being at the top of the social hierarchy are doctors and lawyers. Both jobs that require extensive education, doctors and lawyers are also required to take important exams in order to be fully certified and practice in their respective fields. Recently, COVID-19 has delayed testing, which has strained both students and employers who are seeking to hire recent graduates. The strain may be even more significant on lawyers than newly minted doctors, as pass rates are notoriously low on the bar exam, but because these exams protect the integrity of the field, they can’t be skipped or ignored.

Every professional license and certification is different, relying on different types of foundational education and driving advancement in an array of careers. What’s important for individuals is to identify which tests offer the greatest potential benefits and commit to preparing for it, either in the short term or in the coming years. That’s how you climb the ranks, whether you’re an entry level IT professional, an architecture student, or a future accountant – you have to prove you know you’ve put in the time and effort and you’re ready to take the next step.