Summary: Education is a normal part of preparing for a career. But not every educational path goes through a traditional college or university. Some paths are better served with professional certification training. Do you know what is right for you?
Choosing a career and an education path to get you there go hand-in-hand. The choices are not always easy, but nothing worth having is. Here is the big question: what is the life you are imagining for yourself 5, 10, or even 20 years down the road? You might need a college degree to get there. On the other hand, certification training might be the better path.
The decision between a traditional degree and professional certification sets the stage for how you pursue your career. Here it ProTrain, we believe that education should be the bridge to a better life. It should never be an entity unto itself. So whether you choose a degree program or professional certification, make sure your choice puts you on the path to creating the kind of life you want for yourself.
A good truth to get you started is this: there is no one-size-fits-all path for employment training. The right path for you is the one that gets you where you want to go the fastest, in the most direct way, and without leaving you unnecessarily saddled with a mountain of debt.
A Traditional Degree Program
The traditional four-year degree has been the gold standard in employment training for generations. Degree programs offer a broad-based, theoretical foundation that covers the full spectrum of a given career path with limited detail. Truth be told, some career paths require a degree program. There is no certification training to become a surgeon, for example.
Degree programs tend to offer:
- Holistic Knowledge – Degree programs usually address the ‘whys’ rather than the ‘hows’. You learn why things work the way they do. You learn how to do the work once you graduate and get a job. As such, degree programs are more holistic in the type of knowledge they offer.
- Support – Colleges and universities are well known for providing excellent support and networking. Schools develop strong communities that help students throughout their educational careers. Some students continue to draw on that support even after graduation.
- Personal Growth – Degree programs lend themselves very well to personal growth in the sense that students invest at least a few years learning, taking responsibility, and so forth. Earning a degree can be quite transformative to how a student sees the world.
College degrees have a lot to offer. But they also have downsides. One of the biggest is time commitment. Four years spent earning a degree adds up to four years not working and earning. It is four years that you are not working directly on your career. Instead, you are preparing to do so.
For some careers, like IT and medical coding/billing, a multi-year degree program keeps you out of the workforce for longer. The amount of knowledge gained from that degree program will likely not be commensurate with the time and money you put into it.
Professional Certification
Professional certification is a completely different educational tool. It isn’t designed to provide a broad and holistic skill set. Rather, it is designed to make you job-ready by teaching the skills you need to succeed in the workplace. All the knowledge imparted is practical and useful. Little to none of it is theoretical.
Professional certification tends to offer:
- Speed and Flexibility – Certification training occurs much more quickly. Certificates can generally be earned in under a year. Training is also flexible. In most cases, you can train when it fits into your schedule. You are not locked into a schedule dictated by the school.
- Industry Recognition – Certification programs are built on industry standards. Many of the certificates our students earn actually come from national accrediting organizations recognized as an authority within the industries they serve.
- Proof – Certifications on your resume act as proof that you possess the knowledge and skills employers want. Unlike a degree, you cannot earn a certification without learning job-ready knowledge and skills.
- Affordability – Because certification training is skill-specific, courses can be priced reasonably. It is quite possible you could earn all the certifications you would ever need for your job while still spending less than you would on a four-year degree program.
If there is a downside to certification training, it would be that some career paths simply cannot be accommodated with professional certifications. Some career paths absolutely require a multi-year degree. But if your chosen career isn’t one of them, professional certification training has a lot of upsides.
Evaluating Your Ambition and Path
Now that you know the basics of both degree programs and professional certification training, how do you decide which path is right for you? Start by determining what type of career most interests you. Right off the bat, plan on a degree program if you want to be a doctor, lawyer, chemical engineer, or something else that requires a degree.
If your chosen career doesn’t require a degree, ask and answer the following questions:
- What is my timeline? – If you need to get to work as quickly as possible, professional certification gives you the shorter timeline.
- What is my budget? – Professional certification training is more budget-friendly. If you need an education but cannot afford a degree program, consider certification training.
- How do I best learn? – If you learn best in a classroom under a live instructor, college might be right for you. But if you learn better with a flexible training program that you can work around your schedule and from home, professional certification seems more suitable.
Professional certification isn’t right for everyone. But it is right for many of the students whose career goals can be achieved with certifications. How about you?
If you are ready to take the next step in launching your career, please call us on (844) 292-8641 to speak with one of our career counselors. You can also send a message to enroll@protrain.edu if you are ready to get started and you know which courses you want.
Either way, the ProTrain team is ready to come alongside and help you accomplish your goals. You can do this. We want to help you.
FAQs
What is the difference between a degree and a certification?
A degree represents a broad, theoretical knowledge base. A certification represents more specific knowledge and skills. Certifications equip students with job-ready skills.
Is ProTrain a college or university?
ProTrain is an accredited college that offers professional certificate and certification training across a variety of career fields. We do not offer degree programs.
How long does certification take?
Most of our programs are designed to be completed in 12 months or less. Those structured as self-paced courses can be completed at whatever length of time is most comfortable for the student.
Are courses available online?
Yes. ProTrain courses are offered online. Many are self-paced while others are self-paced and mentor-supported or live online with an instructor.
Can I apply for a job immediately after getting certified?
You can apply for a job at any time. As soon as you earn a certificate, it can be included on your resume to demonstrate that you possess the associated skills.
