Q. Professional Certification — What’s in it for me?
A. Provided by Ruth Wikoff-Jones, CSEP, One10 & Blue Marble Events
Whether you started as an administrative assistant who now plans the company party, or a florist who designs events in addition to floral arrangements, there’s something new to learn about event planning every day.
Surprisingly, it’s only within the past ten years that our industry has seen a formalized education system at colleges and universities, which now address what we already knew – event planning is a business.
To that end, you could earn a business degree. Alternatively, you may want to consider how professional certification might enhance what you already have to offer.
When I joined the Minneapolis/St. Paul chapter of the International Special Events Society over six years ago, I did so because I had no formal education in special event planning. My goal was to earn the Certified Special Event Professional (CSEP) designation outside of a college/university setting.
Along the way, I acquired many resources from which to draw upon in my professional life. I forged relationships that ran deep -- ones I knew I could count on -- whether I was unsure about how to handle a situation or unclear about where to locate something unusual (like an electric turtle at 4:00 P.M. on a Saturday).
Committing to the certification process challenged me to get involved in chapter leadership. It tested the way I approach events and my ability to think strategically, while deepening my commitment to the industry.
Though I enjoyed many experiences on my journey, two were especially crucial to my achieving certification. The first was starting a CSEP Discussion Group. It was a small group of six, all at varying stages in the process. Yet, knowing I wasn’t alone in this pursuit was vital to my success.
The second experience resulted from the Minneapolis St. Paul ISES Chapter CSEP Scholarship. Ultimately receiving that support was critical, financially as well as through their confidence in my ability to pass the exam.
In the end, earning my certification was the reward for all that time and effort.
In a time when planners are battling to prove ROI, certification is an excellent way to demonstrate your professionalism and commitment to the industry.
Tips for Certification Preparation
1. Commit. Earning certification is a commitment to yourself, the industry and your marketability as an employee or service provider. Do it.
2. Document. Develop a hard copy or electronic filing system for collecting completion certificates from industry meetings, letters of recommendation from clients, records of accomplishments, etc. Keep it updated regularly.
3. Help. Volunteer at industry and non-profit events where your skills will be appreciated and you’ll learn something new. Additionally, consider taking on an internship no matter what your age or skill level.
4. Review. Visit www.ilea.com for CSEP information and a list of recommended materials. Also, consult the Convention Industry Council's APEX dictionary. But don't limit yourself to just these few. Instead, read, read, read.
5. Join. Organize a discussion/study group. A support system will help you remain accountable to yourself as well as develop relationships that help you in the future.
