Certifications

If you’re still exploring your career options, certifications are a great way to help establish professional credibility. In the process of attaining one, you’ll gain a lot of information and familiarity with the field in question, not to mention bolster your resume.

What Is a Certification?

At its simplest, a certification is a document that recognizes and validates your skills and expertise in a specific field or profession, and is typically given out by relevant public/private organizations or industry associations. To be awarded a certification, you’ll need to demonstrate proficiency in the skill or field in question, usually by completing specific training, passing an exam or both. There are three types of professional certifications:

Corporate Certifications

As the name suggests, these are issued by companies and corporations to certify that you possess the skills and knowledge to perform a specific role or task within that company or corporation. They’re a great way for companies to train and develop talent and ensure their workers are up to an identified set of standards.

Product-Specific Certifications

Again, the name says a lot. Manufacturers or service providers award these certifications to verify and validate your experience using a specific product or technology that they offer. Think Adobe Creative Suite or Microsoft Office.

Industry Certifications

These certifications go beyond the scope of a specific company or its products, are typically given by professional associations, and are recognized by a range of companies within a given industry, like accounting, IT or security.

Difference Between Certificates and Certifications

Before we go any further, it’s important to note that we’re actually talking about two different things here: There are certificates, which are awarded upon completing a course or program and don't need to be renewed. Then there are certifications, which generally require a higher level of working knowledge and need to be renewed after a specific period of time (which can vary from certification to certification). Naturally, the latter carries a little more clout than the former, but both can be immensely valuable.

Service as a Steppingstone

Military-earned credentials can go the distance! And Kyla's positive that her military certifications will open doors in the civilian workforce. Using tuition assistance, she's pursuing a cloud architect certification and aiming to leverage it in web development after she concludes her commitment to the Air Force. Kyla Bruno | Senior Airman| Air Force

Did You Know?

One of the best places to earn certifications in different specialties is in the Military — not just to enhance your service career but to also give you a competitive edge if you plan to transition to civilian jobs. One such initiative is the Credentialing Opportunities On-Line program, or COOL.

Learn More About the DoD COOLProgram

Not Sure Where To Start?

If you’re looking to forge your own path, but you’re not sure where to begin, you’re in the right place. Remember, the future is full of possibilities, and we’re here to help you figure out the best one for you. For starters, try taking our quiz to get a better sense of what you’re into.

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