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Certifications and designations

Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by Baraka_Guru, Apr 3, 2013.

  1. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    Certs, yo. Or "certifications" for you staid folks.

    What are they worth?

    I know you tech folks rely on them substantially. I know you finance folks do too. You want to do something as a speciality? You get a cert. Simple.

    For me as an editor? Not so much. I'm going to guess that many of you didn't even know that certification was an option for me. It is. However, it's not necessary at all. Heck, any retired high school English teacher can (and many do) put up a website and call him or herself an editor in a matter of minutes.

    The Editors' Association of Canada (EAC) offers certification tests for either $425 or $800, depending on whether I want to do tests for both copyediting and stylistic editing. The question is whether it's worth the time (studying) and the money. These tests will give me certification in those types of editing. In 2014, two more tests are available: proofreading and structural editing. All told, the four certs will give me the lofty Certified Professional Editor (CPE) designation.

    What's this for? It's to ensure a standard of quality and knowledge according to the Professional Editorial Standards as set by the EAC. It's essentially the biggest step an editor in Canada can take towards professionalization. This certification is viewed as a tool to increase an editor's marketability. This gives potential clients, whether an individual or an organization, the peace of mind that the editor they are hiring has passed a minimum of standards as established by his or her peers.

    But do I really need it?

    Technically, no. But I could use it. I did consider pursuing this a few years ago, but I was comfortable in a full-time salaried editorial position. I'm now 100% freelance. The benefits of certification in addition to increasing my marketability would also be to give myself the peace of mind of knowing that I pass a certain standard.

    I mean, am I even any good? I need to decide soon, as registration this year happens in July.

    Let me know what you think. Also feel free to share your own experiences or thoughts about certifications and designations in your field.
     
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2013
    Baraka_Guru, Apr 3, 2013
    #1
  2. Remixer

    Remixer Middle Eastern Doofus

    Location:
    Frankfurt, Germany
    I don't put any value to Management/Operations people with a long list of certifications attached to their CVs.

    The only semi-worthwhile pieces of paper I can think of is proper university degrees.

    Other than that, it's all up to how they handle the interview and proof of past work they have done.

    I would think proof of past work and authentic references would be more important to the Editing/Publishing business than an array of certifications. The EAC certification would probably be a nice thing to add to your personal website, if you have one.

    At any rate, I have yet to see anybody in the Publishing industry who was worth his/her money based on any paperwork. Most Grade A employees are Grade A because of their work experience and having a high amount of experience with difficult projects.

    Which is what I would tell you: Spend your time taking on difficult projects. The skill-polishing you get from that will reflect in your conversations with potential clients.

    The parameters may differ for you, since you now rely on Editing as your main means of income. How does your regional market operate?
     
    Remixer, Apr 3, 2013
    #2