Professional certification is like earning a special badge that shows you have expert knowledge and skills in a specific field or job. It is usually offered by professional organizations or companies and involves taking classes, passing tests, or completing projects to prove your abilities.

 Getting a professional certification can help you:

1. Stand out from the crowd: When you are applying for jobs or college programs, a certification can make your application look more impressive.
2. Gain practical skills: Certification programs often teach you real-world skills that you might not learn in regular classes.
3. Earn more money:  Having a certification could help you get a better starting salary or move up to higher-paying positions more quickly.

Information 

• • Upskills Information: Visit Upskills Information to explore workshops and resources related to professional certification.
  • License Guide: Check out the “Getting to Work with a Criminal Record: New York State License Guides (2020 Expanded Edition)” at License Guide for valuable insights into the certification process.
  • Institute for Justice Opportunity: Explore the resources available at the Institute for Justice Opportunity by visiting Additional Resources.
  • Visit the Career Management Center. Career Management Center                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

List of other Resources where you can complete professional certifications

1. Coursera

Coursera partners with universities and organizations globally to offer courses on a wide range of subjects. While some courses require payment for certification, many offer the option to audit the class for free, allowing access to all course materials without a certificate. Additionally, Coursera occasionally provides financial aid or free certificates for specific courses.

Website: https://www.coursera.org/

2. EdX

Similar to Coursera, edX offers free online courses from institutions such as Harvard, MIT, and other prestigious universities around the world. You can audit courses for free or apply for financial assistance to earn a verified certificate at no cost.

Website: https://www.edx.org/

3. LinkedIn Learning

LinkedIn Learning offers a free one-month trial that provides access to its courses on business, technology, and creative content. Courses completed during the trial period can be added as certifications on your LinkedIn profile.

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/

4. Grow with Google offers several programs including:

Google Career Certificates: Specialized training for in-demand jobs. – https://grow.google/

Digital Garage: Free online courses to help you grow your career or business.  https://google-digitalgarage.vercel.app/certification

5. Microsoft Learn

Microsoft Learn provides free learning paths and modules that cover various topics, including AI, data science, and cloud computing, complete with free certification in some cases.

Website: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/

6. Saylor Academy

Saylor offers free courses and allows students to earn free certificates for some courses upon completion. These are ideal for learners looking to achieve professional development on a budget.

Website: https://www.saylor.org/

7. FutureLearn

Offers a range of free online courses from top universities and specialist organizations. While learning is free, a fee may apply to receive a certificate.

Website: https://www.futurelearn.com/

8. FEMA’s Emergency Management Institute

Offers free  self- paced courses related to emergency management that come with certificates, useful for anyone looking to enter public safety fields.

Website: https://training.fema.gov/is/info.aspx

SUPPORT/FEEDBACK

1. MEC Career Management Center –   Career Management Contact Information    website:   https://www.mec.cuny.edu/student-success/career-management/resources/
2. For those in AGRO 103 course ( Career Readiness Course), you can get feedback from your Professor.
3. SEEK Academic Support Center (ASC) system. Click here to complete the survey.
4. Contact your advisors for assistance:

Dr. Rebecca Cenatus – rcenatus@mec.cuny.edu
Ms. Takisha Randall – Trandall@mec.cuny.edu
Dr. Jewel James – jjames@mec.cuny.edu