Emily Davis

 

It is no secret that the United States job market is plagued with a shortage of talent in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Frighteningly, almost 98 percent of CEOs say this skills gap threatens their businesses.

 

As business leaders grapple with the growing STEM skills gap, it is unsurprising that candidates with expertise in these disciplines are met with higher salaries and competitive benefits. In fact, 2015 engineering graduates enjoyed the highest starting salaries of their peers.

 

What does come as a surprise, however, is evidence that suggests engineering employees are not necessarily happy at work. After looking at the data, it became clear to me that the challenge for engineers isn’t getting a job; it’s finding the right job.

 

Finding the right job means finding work that blends your passions and strengths, while avoiding monotony. Whether you are a recent graduate seeking to land your dream job or an experienced professional looking to expand your resume in search of a more fulfilling position, I recommend pursuing a post-grad career certification.

 

Unlike most traditional degrees, career certifications are highly specialized, allowing participants to focus on a particular area of expertise and cultivate a passion. By pursuing a certification, you have an opportunity to tailor your skills and really carve out a niche for yourself. On top of that, in a candidate’s market like we are experiencing today, highly specialized skills often come with high salaries and tremendous opportunities!

 

If you are thinking about invigorating your career with a certification, here are my top recommendations:

 

Technologist Certification If you prefer applied, rather than theoretical, knowledge, a technologist certification program may be for you. Engineering technologists are dedicated to the development, design, and implementation of engineering and technology and can fill various roles, from providing daily tactical support to senior strategic oversight.

 

To complete your technologist certification through a program like the one offered by the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET), you must have a bachelor’s degree in engineering. Courses in math and science are taught with application-based case studies, and the curriculum builds on higher-level mathematics, including calculus-based science courses.

 

Engineering Manager Certification Professional organizations like the American Society for Engineering Management offer management certifications for engineers at different points in their career. If you’re a technical professional seeking to hone your soft skills in preparation to lead a team, this course of action could be for you. Additionally, an engineering manager certification always provides a solid resume boost.

 

Technician Certification To validate your existing experience in engineering technology, becoming a certified engineering technician may make sense. These programs are typically designed by industry experts to assess job skills and knowledge and to ensure engineering technology fields are staffed with highly qualified professionals.

 

Identifying the specific type of engineering that most closely aligns with your interests is an important part of taking your career to the next level. The process of becoming certified in a focused skill set can help you achieve this, as these programs are typically broken down by specialization—from transportation, to construction to security.

 

Exploring opportunities for certification is a smart decision for engineering professionals at any age hoping to expedite career trajectories, gain new skills, and elevate their careers.