Business success is rooted in a series of well-considered decisions. At some point in your professional business career, one of those decisions is whether earning a professional certificate is worth the investment of time and expense.
In weighing risk vs. reward, the calculation for earning a professional certificate is straightforward: There is no real downside and a substantial, beneficial upside. For a relatively modest investment in both time and money, you can gain new skills, expand your professional network, and enhance your value proposition with your employer (and in the marketplace).
Benefits of a Professional Certificate
The business world is a dynamic environment. Effective leadership, dynamic decision-making, value creation, and profitable performance require a broad set of skills and insights. Earning a professional certificate is a cost-effective pathway for reaching your full personal and career potential.
Benefits:
- Expand business knowledge and skills: Executive education offers an efficient path for learning new skills or brushing up old ones.
- Build professional credibility: The knowledge and insight gained from a business certificate boost your confidence and credibility.
- Increase earning potential: With a proven, well-rounded skill set and deeper insight into business processes you’ll enhance your earning potential.
- Gain a competitive advantage: Knowledge, skills, credibility, and value all combine to provide a competitive advantage you can leverage throughout your career.
The Right Professional Certificate
The portfolio of professional certificates at the Kelley School of Business is a springboard for professionals ready to advance their careers. With topics including project management, lean six sigma, cybersecurity, and leadership, there is a certificate for everyone.
With various formats, expert instruction from Kelley faculty and subject matter experts, and topics for all, a professional certificate from Kelley is one of the best business decisions you can make for your career.
FAQs
Substantial Salary Growth: The skills and insights gained often translate into significant salary increases, reflecting the high ROI of these programs. Data shows that executive education can lead to salary boosts ranging from 20% to 50%, underlining the economic benefits alongside career growth.
Are professional certificates worth it? ›
Professional certificates are often linked to higher salary potential. Many studies have demonstrated that certifications correlate with salary increases. They provide tangible proof of specialized skills or knowledge in a particular area.
How useful is a business certificate? ›
Business certificates provide dedicated training to hone your strategic business instincts, explore a new industry sector, gain technical skills and learn from top-tier professors with years of experience and insight.
Are college certificate programs worth it? ›
Those who participate in professional certificates and formal certification programs consistently report an increase in salary. Because a certificate demonstrates your commitment to specialized and enhanced training, many employers are apt to reward such behavior.
Is a certificate just as good as a degree? ›
For example, Pena said that a degree, by design, is “a much more expansive educational experience.” In contrast, a certificate is “more targeted and more specific to a particular domain or field of expertise.” It is essential to know that certificates and degrees can supplement your career.
Can professional certificates get you a job? ›
Are you looking to change careers, but don't want to have to earn a bachelor's or master's degree to do it? You may not have to. In today's rapidly evolving employment market, there are many desirable jobs with good pay that you can break into by earning a certificate or other non-degree credential.
Do employers like to see certificates? ›
Certificates Can Help Make Up for a Lack of Experience
In some cases, adding a professional certificate could make up for a lack of real-life experience. “In the eyes of a hiring manager, they want someone who can jump right in, add value right away, and become a long-term employee,” Feldman says.
What is the purpose of a professional certificate? ›
Professional certification shows consumers and potential employers that you are committed to your profession and are well-trained. It gives them confidence in your abilities and knowledge. Certification makes you more valuable to employers, so you can expect to earn more than someone without certification.
Are business school certificates worth it? ›
Benefits of a Professional Certificate
Benefits: Expand business knowledge and skills: Executive education offers an efficient path for learning new skills or brushing up old ones. Build professional credibility: The knowledge and insight gained from a business certificate boost your confidence and credibility.
Can you start a business with a certificate? ›
There is no single certification required for all entrepreneurs or business owners. However, if you want to increase your knowledge in one aspect of your business, getting a certification from a reputable company can give you invaluable tools.
Earning a certificate in high school can not only boost your college application, but it could also make you stand out when you apply for jobs after graduation.
What is the shortest degree to get? ›
Associate's degrees are completed quickly, usually in two years or less (see below) and are often delivered by community colleges that offer affordable tuition rates.
Are executive degrees worth it? ›
If you're interested in taking your career to the next level in a leadership or managerial role, then an EMBA is absolutely worth the investment. An EMBA program prepares you for the realities of this type of work without the timing and scheduling conflicts that often accompany a traditional MBA.
Is a certificate in leadership worth it? ›
An organizational leadership certificate can equip you with the skills to take on the challenges associated with increased scale and scope. It can also demonstrate your commitment to professional development and bolster your resume when being considered for a promotion.
What is the value of executive programs? ›
Executive education offers prime opportunities for networking. Instruction is provided by those recognized as leaders in their field. Participants also meet other influential business owners and their top executives.
What is the best degree for an executive? ›
Economics, business administration, and engineering are the most popular subjects studied by top CEOs. On average, 34.6% of top CEOs have a master's or doctorate degree and. 22.3% of top CEOs have a Master of Business Administration (MBA), 16.4% of top CEOs studied abroad; and.
