Are you contemplating going back to school to get another degree? It crosses all our minds from time to time. Questions arise like, “Will this help me advance in my field?” or “Will this make me seem more credible?”
It’s hard to ponder when you know the cost of another degree. It goes beyond money, it is time spent in lectures, working on projects, completing homework, and studying for exams. It adds up.
Choosing to go to grad school is a deeply personal choice, but before you make that final decision, here are other options that can help you gain credibility and advance in your field at a much lower cost one of which is pursuing an Esri Technical Certification.
An Esri Technical Certification can help you gain confidence and establish credibility that fuels personal, professional, and business growth. It can enhance a résumé, differentiating you from peers, and validate your technical skills.
Here are 5 reasons why you could benefit from an Esri Technical Certification instead of going to grad school:
1. Industry-Recognized Validation of Skills
These certifications are focused on your expertise and ability with ArcGIS and its capabilities. They show that you not only know how to use the industry’s leading software, but that you know best practices and are highly skilled in using it.
2. Career Advancement and Credibility
A certification can help establish professional credibility and significantly enhance your career trajectory. We have seen that Esri-certified individuals often experience increased confidence and recognition in their roles from earning a certification. Check out our certification success story!
3. Cost-Effective
Certifications are more affordable than graduate school (currently priced at $275). They can be completed in a much shorter time frame. This makes them a great option for young professionals looking to validate their expertise and skills without the commitment of a degree program.
4. Time Efficient and Flexible Learning/Preparation Resources
You can earn a certification on your own schedule. Esri Academy has hundreds of trainings to help you prepare for the technical certification exam, and you can complete them on your own timeline and at your own pace. This can help you accommodate for your current personal and work life as a young professional.
5. Tailored to Experience Levels
Certifications are offered at three levels—Foundation, Associate, and Professional. You get to select which certification exam matches your skill level and career experience. As you progress through your career, you can take more certification exams to continue to validate your experience wherever you are at.
Before you commit to attending graduate school or getting another degree, explore the Esri Technical Certification program and see if there is one that can help you reach your goals!
If you’re interested in pursuing a certification as a student or young professional, here are a few great options for you:
If you want to begin studying or just see the skills you are expected to know for a certification, check out these learning plans:
If you want to stay up to date on all certification updates and future versions of the exams, check out this place in Esri Community.
