Albert Einstein once said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” To get the most out of life, you must always move forward and challenge yourself to grow. Therefore, continuing your education is important, and the most successful professionals are usually the ones who never stop learning.
When it comes to positive professional growth, earning continuing education credits (CEC) is a perfect way to make an impact. Whether you’re looking to maintain your license by adding required courses or simply hoping to strengthen your skills, continuing education credits can help you become more a well-rounded professional. Here are answers to common CEC questions to help create the best possible pathway for your professional success.
What are Continuing Education Credits?
Continuing Education Credits are post-secondary education opportunities such as degree programs, online courses, career training, and more. These helpful credits can make a difference in careers in a variety of fields. They add value to your resume and your experiences by keeping you up to date on the current and emerging best practices, processes, technologies, and methodologies.
Some professional careers, such as IT, require you to take CECs to maintain your industry certification. You could consider them an investment toward a more successful future.
CECs are not academic credit and are not given for academic research. This differentiates them from other academic accreditations. In addition, CECs are approved by a governing body and meet certain requirements and a certain number of credit hours.
What are the different kinds of CECs?
While all CECs are valuable, they do not all fall under the same qualifications. Some of the most common careers that encourage professionals to earn CECS are:
How can I find the right CEC for me?
Requirements and recommendations for CECs vary by profession and location. To create the most efficient plan for future success, begin to identify your goals and the tools you need to get there. Different professions require different timelines for fulfilling your CEC requirements. For example, Illinois requires attorneys to earn 30 credit hours every two years while attorneys in Florida must complete at least 33 credit hours every three years. These are the kinds of important details that can influence how you approach your advanced education goals.
How Long Does It Take to Earn a CEC?
CECs are converted with a formula that varies by profession. Most often, one academic credit hour is the equivalent of ten CEC units. Conversions are done by higher education institutions and special examining and assessment services.
What are the benefits of CECs?
There are a variety of benefits to pursuing CECs. No matter the career field, earning CEC credits will positively influence your career path while also supporting your long-term goals. Some of the most attractive advantages include:
1. Potential for Higher Pay
Becoming more qualified means a higher earning potential. Your income can increase over time as you begin earning elite credentials. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that any advancement of your education can increase your potential income — CECs are one more path to that higher income and a more comfortable lifestyle for you and your family.
2. Greater Career Advancement
Your commitment to pursuing continuing education credits will reflect positively on the value you bring to your company, which increases the probability of earning a promotion. You will stand out among your peers as a strong contender for advanced work and responsibilities if you have pursued CECs in your field.
3. Highlights Your Value
If you’re applying to new positions, you may see CECs as a requirement for applicants, which will open up new opportunities for you as a job seeker. Plus, if CECs are not a requirement, you will surpass other applicants with your advanced experience.
4. Increases Your Confidence
In a competitive environment, it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed. While nerves are common, it’s important to be confident in yourself and your abilities. Pursuing a CEC will not only give you valuable information and experiences, but it will also give you the self-confidence to put your best foot forward in everything that you do.
To set yourself up for success, explore how Herzing University can support your professional goals with its selection of valuable CECs. From healthcare to legal studies, there are ground campuses and online program offerings across the country to help you add the technical and business skills required while also increasing your skills through the pursuit of optional training and coursework.
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* Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics 2023 / Occupational Outlook Handbook 2022. BLS estimates do not represent entry-level wages and/or salaries. Multiple factors, including prior experience, age, geography market in which you want to work and degree field, will affect career outcomes and earnings. Herzing neither represents that its graduates will earn the average salaries calculated by BLS for a particular job nor guarantees that graduation from its program will result in a job, promotion, salary increase or other career growth.
