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To jump straight to our growing list of career certifications to browse, click here. A four-year degree may be the first thing to come to mind when we think about college. However, certificate and associate's degree programs actually rival bachelor's degree programs in enrollment and awards conferred. The combined number of certificates and associate's degrees being awarded by colleges — around 2 million per year — is similar to the number of bachelor's degrees awarded, according to Georgetown University's recent report regarding the labor-market value of associate's degrees and certificate programs. And certificate holders within the fields of engineering technologies and drafting are making up to three times as much as those with only an associate degree in a similar field. Career certificates have the potential to catapult you into a new career or equip you with skills to work more competitively within your current job or industry. Read on to discover the value of career certifications and how one can benefit you.  1. Certifications can determine, guide, or supplement your chosen career Certifications can stand alone, work alongside a degree, or qualify you to start in a career by covering job-specific knowledge you didn't obtain in college.  For example, to become a private investigator, you need to possess a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field. But to supplement your knowledge base and experience, Darrin Giglio, chief investigator with North American Investigations, recommends additional undergraduate coursework or certification courses. "It's desirable that you've taken courses in criminology, surveillance, law, and photography."  In some cases, career certifications are a welcome alternative to a four-year degree with generally a smaller investment of money and time. Do you have a degree but want to make a career change? You can enter into some careers with zero experience by obtaining the necessary education and certifications.  2. Niche courses can aid in personal development, not just career advancement Even if you're happy where you are in your job, the added knowledge you can gain from a career development course can give you a new perspective when facing challenges. Having completed formal training, you'll better be able to come up with innovative solutions with newfound confidence.  And sometimes it helps to look out-of-the-box for career development opportunities. Tech product manager Wren Ludlow believes that, in general, a certification won't make or break a hiring opportunity, but certifications can be a powerful supplement for personal development. He has found his Scrum credentials to be valuable in the workplace, and he appreciated his employer's willingness to pay for the course. However, it's the CliftonStrengths assessment that has made the biggest impact on Ludlow professionally. "The assessment has helped me to capitalize on my natural strengths and pursue where I can be most successful," he explains. "What I've discovered is that I like to achieve things and learn, but I do those things in the lens of my first two strengths: communicating and working with other people. This knowledge has helped me pursue projects and growth opportunities that play to those strengths and add a lot more fulfillment to my work." 3. Talking to pros in your industry can help you identify which certifications to pursue Are you seeking a promotion or job change? A certificate can give you the edge over the competition. But do your research before pursuing a degree and/or a certificate. In general, it won't hurt your job prospects to have additional training. However, even free certifications are an investment of time, so put your time where it will help you go the farthest. Consult coworkers to see what they have done, talk to your manager about what skills they'd like to see you gain or expand, and reach out to potential mentors who are two steps ahead of where you are now.  In some cases, in addition to a certification, you need to acquire a degree and/or a certain amount of experience in your field. Here are some pro tips for seeking career certification recommendations within different industries: Finance Wealth advisor and Clear Financial Partners CEO Tim Clairmont, CFP®, explains that a combination of experience, education, and test-taking proficiency go into becoming a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). "The CFP is the pinnacle designation for financial planners," Clairmont says. Requirements for a CFP are as follows: A bachelor's degree 5 years of industry-related experience Adherence to a strict code of ethics Commitment to ongoing continuing education The completion of 7 courses of post-graduate work A passing score on a comprehensive examination Clairmont stands behind the integrity of the exam, which is as close to comprehensive as possible in dealing with real-life financial situations: "The exam covers everything financial planning related: taxes, investments, annuities, life insurance, estate law, ethics, holistic financial planning, and more." Clairmont requires all of his company's advisor trainees pursue and achieve the CFP designation before they are allowed to work independently with clients.  Technology Amazon Web Services One in-demand certification in the software and information technology (IT) industry is the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Developer certification. "AWS is the biggest cloud platform developers can use, which makes this certification so popular," explains Digital Software Products founder Colin Ma.  Ma was studying for the AWS Developer certification and was on track to pass it when he got offered a job. "The CEO was impressed that I had cloud experience and was studying independently for the certification, and it definitely gave her additional confidence to hire me," he explains. The job was at a busy startup so he wasn't able to complete the certification there, but in addition to giving him a competitive edge in hiring, he was able to utilize his AWS expertise in his new responsibilities.  Machine learning engineer Peter Song benefited similarly from his AWS expertise, helping him land his current job. "Some people undervalue certifications, saying that practical experiences are more important, and I agree," Song says. "However, if you want to have hands-on experiences, you first have to prove your knowledge to get a chance. And in addition the knowledge gained, I believe that earning career certifications can prove your passion and interest." The hiring manager told Song that his AWS Certified Solutions Architect certification greatly impacted their decision since the firm was looking for someone with AWS knowledge, which is no surprise given its increasing popularity. In addition to the Certified Solutions Architect certification, Song also recommends the AWS Certified Big Data specialty.  Agile In delivering, Agile Method is rapidly rising as the norm, according to Richard Cheng, VP of Training and Chief Product Owner at Excella Training. The most widely recognized certification in the Agile field is the Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) accreditation, which shows that you have a sound foundation and even a deep-dive understanding of Agile principles and the Scrum framework. Cheng explains that job listings that say "CSM certification preferred" or "CSM certification required" are increasingly common.  "Any organization that is going through an Agile transformation should have a mix of Scrum teams and Kanban teams," according to Cheng. From a Kanban standpoint, the most widely recognized certification is the Kanban Management Professional 1 (KMP1). " While it doesn’t have nearly the number of certificate holders as the CSM, that base is also growing." SOLIDWORKS SolidProfessor applications engineer Patrick Ehrhardt recommends three SOLIDWORKS designations in particular for computer-aided design (CAD) drafters, technicians, and engineers, in order of difficulty to obtain: Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate (CSWA) Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional (CSWP) Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert (CSWE)  Ehrhardt explains that his employees who have these certifications require less time in training and have more time to do their jobs. "I hire a lot of engineering design interns and seeing a CSWA or CSWP on their resume really stands out to me," he says. "It shows that they're comfortable with the software so they can focus their time on the task instead of figuring out how to use the tool. We want them to concentrate on designing, so the less time they spend fighting against the tool, the better off we are as a company."  Having obtained the first two credentials himself, Ehrhardt experiences benefits beyond the hire and beyond project competency. "Earning my CSWA and CSWP has really given me a lot of confidence in my designs and approach. I know that, in the world of solid part modeling, I could build pretty much anything I need to. And going through the process of earning these credentials has also given me a lot of respect and understanding of just how deep the software and design field goes."  CompTIA Security+ Within cybersecurity, the CompTIA Security+ certification comes highly recommended by Will Ellis, IT security consultant and founder of Privacy Australia. He says professionals with this certification are often recognized as having both broad knowledge and a high skill level within the cybersecurity field. Plus, it is globally recognized and respected and is approved by the United States Department of Defense. Ellis explains, "Those who have attained this designation generally have knowledge and skills in cryptography, security infrastructure, threat management, and network access control, so there are great benefits to hiring someone with such a high degree of understanding and experience in network security."  Communications and marketing Google Analytics Aaron Watters, CEO of digital marketing agency Leadhub, looks for candidates who have the Google Analytics Individual Qualification certification, which is comprised of roughly 70 questions drawn from the Google Analytics for Beginners and Advanced Google Analytics courses. The caveat to this certification is that the answers to the test can be found online. To push back against the realities of potential cheating, Watters tests interviewees on certificate-based knowledge to see if they actually know what they are talking about. He emphasizes, "If you're going to put this certification on your resumé, you better have the skills to back it up."  Google Adwords Growth Marketing founder Stacy Caprio says marketing-specific certificates are crucial for digital marketers just starting their careers. "Having a certification shows you at least know enough to click the right answers on a test," she explains. "It shows you have a starting point to jump off from instead of starting to learn on the job from scratch." Caprio especially values Google Adwords for marketing professionals: "It makes a huge difference when people are looking to hire you, especially when you are younger without as many years of direct experience managing campaigns."  Course Combos If you're a digital marketer, these Google certificates are crucial, as most recruiters and hiring managers actually expect to see one or both on an applicant's resume according to Flyparks online marketer Alice Bedward. "Combined, these certifications show that the candidate has some level of competency when it comes to data collection and analysis and understands search engine marketing best practice," she explains. "While it won't open up many job opportunities alone, it will fit well with other digital marketing courses and exams alongside your job training." Plus, it's free of charge and can be completed within a couple of weeks or less.  Bedward also recommends the free courses offered by MOZ, SEMRush, and Hubspot. She says they are easily understandable, appreciated internationally, and can help you to stand out more in a crowded space at a junior level.  SEO  Kelly Diehr, PR and search engine optimization (SEO) coordinator for scavenger hunt company Let's Roam, explains that regardless of the specific course you choose, an SEO certificate is becoming vital for anyone in the marketing or public relations industry. "Platforms that were traditionally word-of-mouth have quickly become digital, and mastering that new frontier can be make or break," she says. "An SEO certification shows you are tech-savvy and can keep up with the evolving industry."  Diehr recommends any SEO certificate programs that provide a knowledge base for the following skills: Keyword research Link building  Landing press exposure Understanding Google ranking methods Event management Lauren Grech, CEO and cofounder of LLG Events & LLG Agency and adjunct professor at New York University, teaches in the United States' first-ever M.S. in Event Management program at New York University's Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality. According to Grech, certificate coursework and training from accredited institutions are going to be increasingly important for event planning professionals as the industry continues to grow and integrate with other sectors, such as travel, hospitality, and tourism. So why is formal training essential in this field?  She explains, "I have traveled all over the world — from Europe, the Middle East, and French Polynesia, to Asia and Central America — examining the global event industry from the perspective of the planner, client, venue and other vendors, uncovering fierce competition; pricing disparities amongst vendors from various professions; and no defined criteria for event execution, causing venues to consistently underperform within their events departments. This is all due to the fact that there has never been any formal, accredited training established within the wedding and event industries as they now apply to hospitality and tourism.  Grech hopes to change that norm for her event management students. With formal event management training, vendors entering the industry will know how to price themselves, know how to define their value, and how to run an event from concept to execution.  4. Employers will often pay for career development courses  Some companies have a professional development benefit built into the benefits structure. But even if that isn't standard at your place of employment, it's worth talking to an HR representative about the possibility. Put together a proposal detailing what the certification is, how much it costs, and how the skills you learn will prove to have a strong ROI for your team and for the company as a whole.  Product manager Deric Lambdin has taken several courses over the span of his career from e-learning companies like Codeacademy, edX, and Linda, and in some cases, his employer has helped cover the costs. Lambdin says that through online courses, he has been exposed to new principles and has deepened his understanding of concepts surrounding his real-world experiences, enhancing his on-the-job training — and these benefits are all assets to his company.  "I feel like employers are better recognizing the value of helping expand their employee's education," Lambdin explains. "Instead of being scared that employees will leave after receiving that type of education, they want to stay and apply the principles they learn within the company."  5. Not all certifying organizations are worthy of your investment When you're going to invest time and money into a certificate course, do your research on the certifying organization itself by consulting customer reviews. Reviews can alert you to red flags about a career certification company or highlight strengths that one organization has over another.  Career certification courses If you're curious about some of the certification courses and designations available in your industry or want to consider alternate career possibilities, we've got you covered.  We've divided these certifications into industry-based categories, but be aware that some certifications can be beneficial across several job types, while others are highly specific.  While some designations and courses listed here are offered only by one certifying company or body, there may be similar certifications across several certifying organizations.  Arts & Design Automotive Business & Finance Communications Construction & Engineering Education Emergency & Medical Services Fitness & Beauty Home Services Hospitality & Leisure Legal Outdoors & Environment Personal & Pet Production & Maker Real Estate Public Safety Tech Transportation Arts & Design Adobe Illustrator Adobe InDesign Adobe Photoshop Avid Certified Media Composer Avid Certified Mixer Board Certified Art Therapist Certified Applied Poetry Facilitator Certified Eating Disorders Creative Arts TherapistDigital Arts Certificate Digital Video Editor Marketing Design CertificateMultimedia Arts Certificate Music Therapist Registered Drama Therapist  Automotive Automobile Technician Automotive Parts Specialist Certified Auto Glass Master Certified Master Dealer Diagnostician Electric Vehicle Technician Light Vehicle Diesel Engines Master Collision Repair and Refinishing Technician Rebuilder Specialist School Bus Technician Undercar Specialist: Exhaust Systems Vehicle Maintenance Management and Inspection  Business & Finance Accredited Tax Preparer Associate in Personal Insurance Associate in Risk Management Bookkeepers Certification Certified Accounts Payable AssociateCertified Advertising Specialist Certified Associate in Project Management Certified Brand Manager Certified Business Intelligence Professional Certified Collegiate Retailer Certified Employee Retention Specialist Certified Event Rental Professional Certified Facility Manager Certified Financial Planner Certified Financial Risk ManagerCertified Insurance Service RepresentativesCertified International Tax Analyst Certified Investment Management AnalystCertified Manager Certified Merger and Acquisition Advisor Certified Payroll Professional Certified Pension Consultant Certified Public Accountant Certified Relocation Professional Certified Risk Management ProfessionalCertified Sales Professional Chartered Financial Analyst Master Financial Planner Microsoft Excel Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Professional in Human ResourcesTen Key  Communications & Marketing Advanced Google Analytics Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Certified Digital Radio Broadcast SpecialistCertified Level Sign Language Certified Medical Interpreter Certified Translator Google Adwords Hubspot Content MarketingNational Interpreter Certification Registered Broadcast Captioner Registered Professional Reporter Sirius Decisions Construction & Engineering Certified Composting Program Manager Certified Construction Manager Certified Design Drafter Certified Pump Installer Certified Recycling Systems ManagerCertified Well DrillerConstruction Site Safety Technician Enterprise Architect Fellow Highway Design Hydrologic Technician Master Certified Green Professional Mechanical Certified Drafter Mechatronics Certification Test Petroleum Engineering Certification Pipeline Construction Inspector Product Safety Design Engineer  Education Certified Career Counselor Certified Master Resume Writer Certified Personal and Family Finance Educator Certified Professional in Learning and Performance Grant Professionals Certification Microsoft Certified Educator Nationally Certified School Psychologist School Nutrition Specialist Teaching English as a Foreign LanguageTechnology Literacy for Educators  Emergency & Medical Accredited Traffic Accident Reconstructionist Board Certification in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork Biomedical Electronics Technician Certification in Allergy and Immunology Certification in Anesthesiology Certification in Long Term Care Certified Dental Technician Certified Eating Disorders Registered NurseCertified Emergency Disaster Professional Certified Flight Registered Nurse Certified Genetics Counselor Certified Healthcare Billing and Management Certified Healthcare Emergency Professional Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant Certified Medical Office Manager Certified Pharmacy Technician Chemotherapy Certification Correctional Behavioral Health Certification Cytotechnologist Dental Assistant Direct Support Professional EKG Technician Emergency Fire Dispatcher Emergency Medical Dispatcher Emergency Police Dispatcher GerontologyHome Care Certification Medical Assistant Medication Aide Certification MRI Technologist Nationally Certified Medical Assistant National Reflexology Certification Neonatal Intensive Care NursingOccupational Therapy Assistant Orthotic Fitter CertificationPediatric Primary Care Mental Health Specialist Phlebotomy Technician Phlebotomist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Registered Sleep Technologist Certification Sartech (National Association for Search and Rescue) Sexual Assault Nurse ExaminerSterile Products (IV) Certification Technologist in Blood Banking  Fitness & Beauty Aquatic Fitness Instructor Certification Certified Aesthetic Laser Operator Certified Athletic Trainer Certified Cancer Exercise Trainer Certified Personal Trainer Fitness Nutrition Specialty Certification Group Exercise Instructor Holistic Nutritionist Certification Indoor Group Cycling Certificate Kettlebell Specialty Certification MMA Conditioning Specialist Pilates Certified Teacher Registered Dance/Movement Therapist Sports Injury Specialist Water Ski Instructor/Coach Weight Management Specialist Certification  Home Services Air Conditioning Installation Technician Carbon Monoxide Safety Certification Certified Carpet Master Installer Certified Flooring Installation Manager Certified Interior Designer Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler Certified Master Locksmith Certified Mold Professional Certified Satellite Installer Certified Ventilation System Inspector Certified Vinyl Installer Electrical Certification Fiber Optics Technician Gas Heat Certification Grouting and Reinforced Masonry Certification HVAC Efficiency Analyst Registered Piano Technician STAR HVAC Mastery Universal Design Certified Remodeler Wireless Systems Installer Technician  Hospitality & Leisure Accredited Cruise Manager Certified Cruise Counsellor Certified Hotel Concierge Certified in Exhibition Management Certified Pool/Spa Operator Certified Restaurant Server Certified SPA Supervisor Certified Special Events Professional Certified Tour Guide Gaming and Vending Technician ServSafe Alcohol Travel Agent Executive Legal Certified Paralegal Board Certification in Criminal Trial LawBoard Certification in Family Law Trial Law Certified Legal Video Specialist Estate Planning Law Specialist Professional Legal Secretary  Outdoors & Environment Board Certified Entomologist Certified Agricultural Irrigation Specialist Certified Caddie Certified Casting Instructor Certified Consulting Meteorologist Certified Crop AdviserCertified Environmental Drycleaner Certified Forester Certified Green Purchasing Professional Certified Grounds Technician Certified Irrigation ContractorCertified Master ArboristCertified Park and Recreation Professional Certified Renewable Energy Professional Energy Efficiency Management Certificate Program Erosion and Sediment Control Seasonal Equestrian Staff Certification Stable ManagerTrail Guide Instructor  Personal & Pet Board Certified Autism Technician Board Certified in Animal Food Science Board Certified in Animal Genetics Certification in Cognitive Therapy Certified Addiction Specialist Certified Childcare Professional Certified Corrections Officer Certified Group Psychotherapist Certified Farrier Certified Funeral Service Practitioner Certified Labor DoulaCertified Lactation Counselor Certified Manager of Animal Resources Certified New Parent EducatorCertified Postpartum Doula Certified Professional Dog Trainer Certified Professional Pet Sitter Certified Sex TherapistChild Development Associate International Board Certified Lactation Consultant Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator National Certified Master Groomer Residential Child and Youth Care Professional  Production & Maker CNC Milling Certification Concrete Construction Special Inspector Certified Baker Certified Decorator Certified Floral Designer Certified Food Safety ProfessionalCertified Garment Care Professional Certified Gemologist Certified in Production and Inventory Management Certified Metalworking Fluids Specialist Certified Personal Chef Certified Therapeutic Shoe Fitter Certified Watchmaker of the 21st Century Certified Welder Concrete Sawing and Drilling Operator CertificationMachiningMaster Alteration Specialist Precision Sheet Metal Operator Certification Protective Coatings Specialist Registered Jeweler Screw Machining Soldered Electrical and Electronic Assemblies Real Estate Accredited Buyer’s Representative Accredited Staging PartnerCertified New Home Sales Professional Certified Property ManagerCertified Real Estate Brokerage ManagerCertified Residential UnderwriterHousing Development Finance Professional Master in Residential MarketingMilitary Relocation Professional Mortgage Loan Officer National Apartment Leasing Professional Realtor Residential Accredited AppraiserResidential Certified Mortgage Servicer  Safety Certified Fire Plan Examiner Certified Fraud Examiner Certified Information Privacy ProfessionalCertified Playground Safety Inspector Certified Portable Fire Extinguisher Technician Certified Safety Technician Certified Safety InstructorCertified Hazardous Materials Technician Certified Hazardous Materials Supervisor Certified Homeland Protection Associate Certified Stormwater Manager Infection Control Certification Criminal Intelligence Certified Analyst Fire Inspector Fire Plans Examiner Lifeguard Certification  Private InvestigatorTenprint Fingerprint Certification  Tech Adobe Analytics Business Practitioner Adobe Audience Manager Architect Agile Certified Product Manager Amazon Web Services DeveloperApple Certified iOS Technician AutoCAD Civil 3D Certified Professional Certified Biometrics Professional Certified Encryption Specialist Certified Ethical HackerCertified Product Manager Certified ScrumMasterCertified Telecom Professional Cisco Certified Architect Cloud Architect CompTIA Cloud+CompTIA Security+Developing SQL Data Models Digital Game Artist CertificateGIAC Advanced Smartphone Forensics Google Analytics IQ Certification IBM Certified Developer IBM Certified Solution Advisor Internet of Things Foundation Certification Junior Telecommunications Engineer Kanban Management Professional 1Linux Server Professional Certification Microsoft Networking FundamentalsOracle Cloud Specialist Oracle Database 12c EssentialsProgramming in C# Certification Red Hat Certified Architect Software Engineering Master Certification Certified SOLIDWORKS Associate Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional Certified SOLIDWORKS Expert Symantec Certified Specialist Video Game Design and DevelopmentWebYoda Associate WebmasterWeb Application Developer Wireshark Certified Network Analyst  Transportation  Aerospace/Aircraft Assembly Maintenance CertificationAircraft Dispatcher Airport Certified Security Employee Air Traffic Control Tower Operator Bicycle Technician Certified Cargo Security Professional Certified in Special Needs Transportation Certified Supply Chain Professional Certified Tour Professional Certified Travel Counselor Coastal Navigation Certificate Commercial Driver License Commercial Pilot Counter Balance Sitdown Rider Forklift Operator Safety Training  Flight Engineer National Able Seaman National Radio Officer Overhead Crane Overhead Crane Operator  Radio Communication Systems School Bus Endorsement Traffic Control Design Specialist Traffic Signal Technician Transportation Worker Identification Credential  We intend this to be an evolving list of in-demand career certifications in the United States. Please email rgraham@bestcompany.com for additional certification recommendations or other comments.