Multiple Supply Chain Certifications

[J Wiseman]

I currently hold multiple Supply Chain Certifications,A.P.P.,C.P.M,CPIM,CSCP, CPP,CPPM,and CIPM. I wish to promote multiple certifications, but I would like to hear from other professionals concerning what they are pursuing and what they think about certifications by ISM, APICS, and The American Purchasing Society in some combination. I studied for and passed the exams without having attended classes. I have used study material from ISM, APICS, and DataChem and found it all to be adequate. However, I have enjoyed the greatest success with DataChem Software. These days cost is an issue. You pay less if you are a memeber of the sponsoring organization. I have found that a discount is available from DataChem using BAMA8 when asked if you have a coupon. What do you use?

jaw

[Starbucks Junkie]

Originally Posted by J Wiseman

I currently hold multiple Supply Chain Certifications,A.P.P.,C.P.M,CPIM,CSCP, CPP,CPPM,and CIPM. I wish to promote multiple certifications, but I would like to hear from other professionals concerning what they are pursuing and what they think about certifications by ISM, APICS, and The American Purchasing Society in some combination. I studied for and passed the exams without having attended classes. I have used study material from ISM, APICS, and DataChem and found it all to be adequate. However, I have enjoyed the greatest success with DataChem Software. These days cost is an issue. You pay less if you are a memeber of the sponsoring organization. I have found that a discount is available from DataChem using BAMA8 when asked if you have a coupon. What do you use?

jaw

Jaw,

Wow all those letters

Did you have time to go to your day job

Seriously,

I commend you for the effort you have clearly put in to gain accreditation to these organisations.

I have recently just become a member of the Chartered Institute of Management, but that is all.

This was achieved through an evening college course followed by applying to the institute with my certificate of passing the course.

I have found however, generally, that qualifications are only good at getting your foot into a door, if you have not got the substance then you cannot go through it.

I have until recently had no proffesional accreditations and have only had the basic School passes, yet I have enjoyed a successful career in Supply Chain built on experience and job hopping.

So, while i commend you on your achievement, I also wonder was it worth it?

Be good to here your views?

SJ

[J Wiseman]

SJ-Thanks for your reply and questions.

The ROI for the time and money(paid by employers) in obtaining the
multiple certifications has been very positive.

I have developed a fast path methodology for preparing for the exams
that must be passed to receive the certifications.

I began with the theory that all the knowledge required to receive the
certifications that I wished to pursue was a contained in Supply Chain
Management.

I pursued the certifications in compressed time periods both end to end
concurrently on occasions. In 2007, I began preparing for the CSCP Exam
the day after I passed the CPPM Exam. I would have began preparing for
the CPSM Bridage Exam after I passed the CSCP, but the study material
was not yet available.

I kept the DataChem CDs in my LapTop and often studied for the exams
during downtime( between air flights, on the plane, in the cab, watching
TV, running on my treadmill). I never attended Instructor Lead Classes.

My past and current employers have been generous in paying for study
material and test fees. When my lack of investment of personal funds
is coupled with studying during dead time, it was worth it.

Btw, I have attached a Content Free Multiple Choice Test in Power Point that is
both instructive and entertaining. I have been successful on many exams in
part due to my study of multiple choice tests and a displined approach to taking such exams.

Thanks
jaw

[Starbucks Junkie]

Originally Posted by J Wiseman

SJ-Thanks for your reply and questions.

The ROI for the time and money(paid by employers) in obtaining the
multiple certifications has been very positive.

I have developed a fast path methodology for preparing for the exams
that must be passed to receive the certifications.

I began with the theory that all the knowledge required to receive the
certifications that I wished to pursue was a contained in Supply Chain
Management.

I pursued the certifications in compressed time periods both end to end
concurrently on occasions. In 2007, I began preparing for the CSCP Exam
the day after I passed the CPPM Exam. I would have began preparing for
the CPSM Bridage Exam after I passed the CSCP, but the study material
was not yet available.

I kept the DataChem CDs in my LapTop and often studied for the exams
during downtime( between air flights, on the plane, in the cab, watching
TV, running on my treadmill). I never attended Instructor Lead Classes.

My past and current employers have been generous in paying for study
material and test fees. When my lack of investment of personal funds
is coupled with studying during dead time, it was worth it.

Btw, I have attached a Content Free Multiple Choice Test in Power Point that is
both instructive and entertaining. I have been successful on many exams in
part due to my study of multiple choice tests and a displined approach to taking such exams.

Thanks
jaw

Jaw,

mmm....still not convinced.

You have learned an awful lot of theoretical practices.

How much of what you have learned actually relates to the world around you.

I would say probably about 40 - 50%. Perhaps even less.

You say that your employers feel that they have a good ROI on the costs.. Compared to what?

Believe me, I am not saying that what you have done is not worth doing, as I said in my previous post I commend you for doing it all.

What I am questioning is the actual relevance of doing it?

I have learned alot in my 15 years in supply chain, alot of my learnings are not contained in any text books, but in the real world.

SJ

[J Wiseman]

SJ-I have been in Materials and Operations Management for 35 years
as an Expeditor, Purchasing Manager, Materials Manager, and
Vice President and General Manager, and I have a B.S. Degree.
I am a Power User of the JDE 8.12 ERP.

Needless to say, I have learned much that is not in anybody's book. However, the independent vaildation that I possess broad Supply
Chain Knowledge comes from my certifications.

You can not determine from my years in Supply Chain Management
if I really have 35 years experience or 1 years experience 35 times.
My B.S. Degree and certifications make the case for me having
knowledge.

Thanks
jaw

[Starbucks Junkie]

Originally Posted by J Wiseman

SJ-I have been in Materials and Operations Management for 35 years
as an Expeditor, Purchasing Manager, Materials Manager, and
Vice President and General Manager, and I have a B.S. Degree.
I am a Power User of the JDE 8.12 ERP.

Needless to say, I have learned much that is not in anybody's book. However, the independent vaildation that I possess broad Supply
Chain Knowledge comes from my certifications.

You can not determine from my years in Supply Chain Management
if I really have 35 years experience or 1 years experience 35 times.
My B.S. Degree and certifications make the case for me having
knowledge.

Thanks
jaw

Jaw,

My point being that I am much more impressed by your career history than that of your academic, again not taking anything away from it, or your achievement.

From the view point of an employer, if you were younger, say in your early twenties, and you had lots of letters after your name but very little 'On Hand' experience, I personally would overlook you for someone with experience and less or no letters after their name.

I however I am the exception, as it seems that a lot of employers will not even consider someone unless they do have letters after their name, as if these letters guarantee excellence, where as you have pointed out, they only guarantee knowledge, they do not guarantee what the person does with that knowledge.

I am sure that this is a discussion that could run and run, and it would be interesting to hear other members views on this.

Thanks

SJ

[Neo]

Jaw,

Very impressed with the multiple certification . U must have invested a lot of time to get this certification . I also see that u are very experienced in the Supply Chain Management . What industry are u engaged in ?

[J Wiseman]

Neo-I am currently in the Street and Parking Lot Sweeper manufacturing
industry after having spent stints in HVAC and Agriculture.

Obtaining the certifications did consume a considerable amount of
my time. However, I have developed a methodology that has
allowed me to compress the time required for each certification.

I wish not to offend anyone, but I never attended instructor lead
classes. I will use my CPIM Prep for an example. Six months after
I purchased the DataChem Software I became certified.I studied
at my convenience. Instructor lead courses are usually 10 weeks
with 4 hours per week. The 5 modules with some time between
classes would have taken over a year if the needed classes were
available.

I have been told in converstion with many folks that college degrees
and certifications are over rated. I do not disagree. However, one
must consider who is doing the over rating. Hiring managers are
are the folks requiring college degrees with certifications as a plus.
It is not those of us who have the degrees and certifications.

jaw

[Neo]

Jaw ,

Thanks for the update . With your many years of experienced couple with numerous certification i am sure it will help u in your career .