Susan Smith Nash, Ph.D.
A good certificate program led to an immediate $15,000 per year boost in income. That is what more than one person has found out after returning to school to obtain a certificate on top of their associate's degree.
After Marriya graduated with her associate's degree in general studies, she was able to get a job at a document processing center where her job was to scan checks, receipts, deposit slips, and other items from a local credit union. It was not a bad job, but there was not much opportunity for advancement. Someone mentioned to her that a good way to get a boost in her career and find a job with a future was to finish a certificate program.
After looking at several different certificate programs, Marriya decided on a certificate in sustainable business. It seemed a bit vague at first, but after Marriya looked more closely, she began to realize what a positive program it really was.
"It's great, Mom," she remarked as she and her mother were drinking coffee at a local bookstore and perusing a stack of books in the section entitled "Careers for the Future."
"What I like about the certificate program is that it covers so many areas. Sustainability has to do with new regulations, new technologies, and "green" planning -- across the board. For example, the place where I do scanning also has a copying and printing business. They need people who know the laws governing environmental issues and also they need to find ways to conserve energy and reduce costs," said Marriya.
"What did your certificate program require you to do?" asked her mom.
"I took all five courses online. At the end, I had to do a project as well as a brief internship. It was rigorous, but I was able to finish it in one semester," Marriya told her mom.
What Marriya found at her workplace was that her employer had an opening for someone with the kind of credentials that Marriya now had. While Marriya was considering applying for that position, she found another company that managed hotels. They needed a person to help them develop sustainability plans for the hotels they were updating and refurbishing. They loved Marriya's educational background in sustainable business practices and were willing to give her a $5,000 signing bonus, which essentially paid for Maria's certificate program. After deliberating, Marriya accepted the job. She now had a job with potential, as well as immediate benefits. Her new salary was $15,000 higher than before.
Marriya was delighted. She was not alone, however. Two separate studies that tracked the earnings of individuals after college found that for a quick boost to earnings, the best and quickest approach was to obtain a certificate in a program that is in demand.
According to one report, Changing the fortunes of America's workforce: A human capital challenge, certificate programs are key elements in helping workers make the transition from a manufacturing-based to a service-based economy (McKinsey & Company, 2009).
Another study, Pathways to Boosting the Earnings of Low-Income Students by Increasing Their Educational Attainment, found the biggest gains in social mobility were found in individuals from at-risk backgrounds who obtained funding to go to a career college and completed a certificate program centered on a specific job category (The Hudson Institute, 2009).
Marriya sat quietly as her mother leaned forward. She could tell her mother was very moved.
"Marriya, I am so proud of you. You have had a tough time, with the kinds of lives we've had. But, you're fearless and persistent. You are a true leader."
REFERENCES
Jacobson, L. and Mokher, C. (2009). Pathways to Boosting the Earnings of Low-Income Students by Increasing their Educational Attainment. The Hudson Institute and CNA. http://www.hudson.org
McKinsey & Company. (2009) Changing the Fortunes of America's Workforce: A Human Capital Challenge. McKinsey Global Institute. http://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/reports/pdfs/changing_fortunes/Changing_fortunes_of_Americas_workforce.pdf