Re: Certification: My Personal Survey

[Eric Haddock <ehaddock -at- ENGAGENET -dot- COM>]

I had gut reactions to two things mentioned:

1. Certification is what defines a profession, not only who has the skills but
what the skills are and what contribution they make to industry and society.

   I'm sorry--I do _not_ need a piece of paper to tell others what I contribute
to society. That's the most snobbish, grandiose, myopic statement I've heard in
months.


2. Certification not only encourages preparation before entering a field but
also a continual development of professional skills.

   What? How does certification _encourage_ someone to participate? Who chooses
a field because there's certification for it? I can just imagine giving a
career day lecture at a high school. What would be the reaction if I said: "And
you have to get a certificate before you can become a technical writer. It may
cost as much as $1000?" What about if I gave that lecture at a university? Oh
boy, more studying. More hoops, and of course, more expense that I would guess
financial aid wouldn't cover.
   Certification _encouraging_ people to enter our field? How? Why?




Regards from beautiful Wisconsin! :)

  Me --> http://www2.pitnet.net/moonlion   mailto:moonlion -at- full-moon -dot- com
Work --> http://www.engagenet.com          mailto:ehaddock -at- engagenet -dot- com

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