How a Certificate Can Maximize Your Earning Potential
The world of work has undergone, and continues to experience, seismic shifts. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, alongside rapidly evolving technologies and social movements, both workers and organizations are searching for ways to rebound and adapt to the changing landscape. While some professionals strive to acquire new skills that align with emerging innovations like artificial intelligence (AI), others are responding to the call for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.
In the current environment, pursuing a professional certificate has emerged as a compelling opportunity for individuals who are seeking to develop more skills. These efforts to improve employment value are not going unrewarded, as upskilling can be a game changer when it comes to maximizing one’s earning potential.
An Overview of Professional Certificates
Professional certificates are credentials individuals earn after successfully completing a specialized training program focused on a specific industry or skill set. Designed to enhance professional knowledge and validate expertise, these certificates provide tangible evidence of an individual’s commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
Individuals can earn professional certificates from a variety of sources—including universities, colleges, professional associations, and industry organizations. Many reputable institutions and organizations offer certificate programs to meet the growing demand for specialized skills in various industries.
The time commitment involved in completing a certificate program can vary, depending on the complexity and depth of the subject matter. Some certificates may require a few weeks or months to complete. Others may require a year or longer. Part-time or online programs offer flexibility to individuals who are balancing work and other responsibilities.
Typically, certificate programs consist of a curriculum that includes lectures, assignments, case studies, and assessments designed to provide practical knowledge and skills relevant to a specific field. The learning experience may involve in-person or virtual classroom sessions, self-paced online modules, and hands-on projects.
Upon successful completion of a certificate program, individuals receive a credential that validates their achievement. It’s important to note that professional certificates differ from academic degrees. While degrees provide a comprehensive education across various subjects, certificates focus on specific skills or areas of expertise.
Examples of Professional Certificates
Professional certificates can cover a wide range of subjects, catering to the diverse needs and aspirations of individuals across various industries. To find the certificate program that best aligns with one’s career goals, professionals need to conduct a bit of research.
Certificate programs can be earned in fields such as leadership, marketing, business writing, finance, healthcare, project management, human resources, and more.
Consider the following examples of professional certificate programs to better understand the breadth of options available.
Design Thinking
Design thinking is a problem-solving approach that encourages creative thinking. Instead of focusing only on technical specifications or business goals, design thinking involves empathizing with the users to gain insights into their experiences and perspectives.
Adopting design thinking principles can help professionals tackle complex problems and create meaningful solutions that resonate with users. A certificate in design thinking can equip professionals with conceptual and practical concepts that will empower them to contribute to product development and apply user experience (UX) design methodologies.
Legal Innovation and Technology
Technological advances are reshaping the legal landscape. Certificates in legal innovation and technology equip legal professionals with the skills to navigate these changes. With a certificate in legal innovation and technology, individuals can better use technology to enhance legal processes, streamline operations, and improve client services.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
DEI certificates continue to gain significance as organizations prioritize the creation of diverse and inclusive work environments. By earning a DEI certificate, individuals can position themselves as valuable assets in organizations, able to take on roles such as DEI consultants, diversity officers, or HR specialists, among other positions.
DEI certificates explore concepts including unconscious bias, cultural intelligence, privilege, and power. They also prepare professionals to develop action plans for incorporating DEI knowledge into the workplace.
Professional Development through Certificates
When it comes to professional development, earning certificates can open up many opportunities for career growth and advancement. Professionals can explore different paths when pursuing these certificates, including upskilling within their current position and transitioning into roles with higher earning potential.
Upskilling in a Current Position
Earning a professional certificate allows individuals to upskill and enhance their abilities within their current role. Various certificates provide professionals with the opportunity to acquire new knowledge and competencies that directly apply to their jobs.
Staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and best practices can help individuals become more valuable to their organizations. This increased expertise can often lead to greater recognition, expanded responsibilities, and the potential for salary growth.
For example, an individual in a marketing role who earns a certificate focused on customer-centric marketing strategies can gain a deeper understanding of consumer behavior, develop targeted marketing campaigns, and effectively engage with their target audience. This can help demonstrate the ability to generate marketing results that are measurable and sustainable—an achievement that is certainly valued by organizations.
As a result, the individual may receive greater recognition, which can translate into promotions or the opportunity to lead high-profile marketing projects.
Pivoting into a Higher Paying Position or Industry
Individuals who are looking to increase their earning potential or pivot their careers to a different industry can explore different certificate benefits and advantages. A certificate can enable an individual to assume leadership positions within their current organization or in a different industry.
Earning a certificate can provide individuals with key advantages. It enables the development of a concentrated set of skills and knowledge directly relevant to the specific fields they’re interested in, preparing them for career transitions. Consider an individual who has a background in finance and desires to step into a leadership role. A professional certificate in leadership can provide that professional with the essential tools to effectively lead teams, make strategic decisions, and inspire others.
Increased Earning Potential with Professional Certificates
Professional certificates can affect a professional’s salary in different ways. To start, salaries typically coincide with the level of expertise a professional brings to the table. By earning a professional certificate, individuals acquire more specialized knowledge and capabilities that often translate into higher job performance and set them apart from their peers.
Employers recognize the tangible benefits of having employees with advanced skills. So, typically they’re willing to offer competitive salaries to retain and attract these types of employees. In fact, according to a recent Gallup study, salaries increase on average by 8.6 percent after upskilling.
For example, management professionals earning $90,000 a year could see their salaries increased up to $98,000 a year after completing a leadership skills professional certificate. A marketing professional might see their $75,000 yearly salary jump to $83,000 after completing a professional certificate in marketing strategy.
Certificates also can provide access to higher-paying job opportunities that require specific skills or qualifications. Many organizations prioritize candidates who hold relevant certificates when hiring for specialized roles. Like any educational accomplishment, a certificate can be the gateway to high-demand roles and expand a professional’s earning potential.
Unlock Your Earning Potential with the Proper Professional Certificate
Professional certificates can potentially transform one’s career trajectory. By providing opportunities to upskill and build new knowledge, certificates can help individuals deliver greater value to their organizations and simultaneously build a more lucrative future for themselves.
Explore how the Suffolk University Center for Continuing & Professional Education offers a variety of professional certificates that can unlock one’s full earning potential.
Sources:
Bankrate, “Upskilling Statistics: How Online Learning Can Increase Your Salary by Thousands Per Year”
Gallup, “The American Upskilling Study: Empowering Workers for the Jobs of Tomorrow”
Human Resources Director, “#MeToo, BLM: How Are Social Movements Changing Workplaces?”
Indeed Career Guide, “10 In-Demand Career Certifications (And How To Achieve Them)”
World Economic Forum, “The Future of Jobs Report 2023”