Three Strategies for Obtaining Credentials and Propelling Your Engineering Career

The following is a summary of Episode 43 of my podcast, The Engineering Career Coach (TECC) Podcast. I will summarize the main points in this post; however, you can also listen to the show  by subscribing on iTunes or by clicking here. I offer a career-changing tip at the end of each podcast session. 

In this session of The Engineering Career Coach (TECC) Podcast, I discuss why credentials are important in your engineering career and provide strategies for obtaining the right ones.

Credentials are an important component of developing your engineering career. However it is important that when you pursue credentials in your engineering career, you pursue those that are in alignment with your goals. I would define credentials as licenses, certifications, and even publications. Consider these three reasons why credentials are important and learn the three strategies on how you can obtain them.

Here are 3 reasons that credentials are important in your engineering career:

1. Credentials increase your credibility. If you have credentials after your name, you will be looked at differently. Credentials can bring you instant credibility.  It is amazing what the two letters ‘PE’ did for me in my career, when I passed the PE exam.
2. Credentials differentiate you from other engineers in your industry. Credentials can help you to stand out in a crowded industry. They will increase your chances of getting promotions and/or more responsibilities in your current company. They also tell people that you are a motivated individual.
3. Credentials are very helpful in career planning. Credentials can determine whether or not you are going to apply for or get certain promotions, how much salary you can earn, and whether or not you will achieve your career goals that you are striving for.

Here are some helpful tips for obtaining credentials in your engineering career.

1. Do not procrastinate. You will get busier in your career as you get older and by procrastinating pursuing these credentials you may never get them.
2. Become proficient in the exam taking process. The following are tips for mastering the exam taking process:
   • Start with the end in mind and immediately find out the date, sign up for the exam, put it in the calendar, and have study schedule in place.
   • Begin the application process as early as possible.
   • Submit the application ASAP.
   • Don’t go through an exam just to see what it contains. I can’t stand it when engineers tell me they took the PE exam the first time without studying just to see what it was like.
   • Take a review course – NO MATTER WHAT. I am sure you are a busy person, however if you have a review course, it will give you structure and help you succeed.
   • Ask other engineers what worked for them when they passed certain exams.
   • Make sure you understand what you have to bring to each exam.
   • If you do not pass an exam, sign up for the next issuance of the exam.
3. Be sure to take advantage of employer benefits when it comes to credentials. Many engineering firms offer benefits towards obtaining credentials, make sure to take advantage of them.

Have you found this post useful? How have credentials help you to get to where you are now?

Anthony Fasano, PE, author of Engineer Your Own Success, found success as an engineer at a very early age and now writes and podcasts to help other engineers do the same. Visit Anthony’s website at EngineeringCareerCoach.com to access all of the free engineering career resources he has created to help engineers succeed.