CPSM Chronicles: Me As An Investment

Follow Heather Brown, MBA, Marketing Manager at Lydig Construction, as she chronicles her journey to CPSM certification. Her monthly blog will offer a candid account of the CPSM study group, saying "yes" to a challenge when there is no good time, and what those four letters represent.

When I turned eight years old, I started swimming competitively on a swim team and every four years I would watch the Olympics - dreaming of the day that I could compete at the Games. Well, I didn't make it to the Olympics...I made it to the state championships in high school and swam all over the state with my club. My passion to make it to the Olympics kept me going. I only shared this dream with my parents and they kept be accountable and supported me: sitting in a hot, muggy swimming pool facility day after day, weekend after weekend; making sure I was awake at 5 am for my dry-land training at home; and, driving me all over the state.

I liken my approach to swimming to my approach to my career in marketing in the A/E/C industry. When I started out, one of my first goals was to be a marketing manager before I turned 30. I knew I needed to work hard, build a solid approach and support network, and take those leaps of faith and risks to get where I wanted to be. I reached my goal at age 29. I wonder though, could I have gotten there sooner if I had my CPSM?

When I think about the CPSM certification program, I get excited, but also a bit anxious. Even when I began to consider pursuing my CPSM, the cost became an unexpected factor in my decision. I thought the program was so expensive, but that isn't truly a reason not to pursue a CPSM. I chose to get my MBA after my undergrad and, Lord knows, that cost a lot. So why would I pass over the opportunity to earn a certification that would not just help my company, but help me?

One of the most intimidating things became presenting this to my supervisor in a way that showcases the value of the certification and doesn't come across as a commodity. I had to quit looking at it as a cost.

To prepare, I spoke with a few colleagues who have earned their CPSM. Each had slightly different stories, but all had one thing in common. They saw the certification as an investment in themselves and in their career. Kenda Salisbury, CPSM, of Degenkolb Engineers said, "Instead of thinking your CPSM is something you have to do for your company, you have to think of it as a personal investment in your career." Instead of putting all of the value of the CPSM on my firm, I now put it on myself.

I'm blessed to have a very supportive supervisor, management team, partner (business development vice president), and team. I've identified the costs for the test, the books, study guide the time that it would take to pursue it, and the CEU's that I can easily acquire. I've also shared the benefits as identified in the CPSM Certification brochure and other supporting documents. 

When looking at how to fund this investment and present it as a case. I shared the domains of pracitce with my approving manager and team, connected these areas to my firm's marketing goals, and how I can tie those to improving my firm's marketing in that particular area. My firm focuses on strategic planning and helping technical staff reach the next level so I demonstrated how this increase in knowledge could enable me to further support the teams.

I suggest working with your supervisor on how to finance the investment and support your focus. One CPSM shared that her manager told her that he would pay for it, as long as she passed it. What an incentive! Offer to pay for your books, if they'll pay for your test. Or go all out like I did and ask to have the entire process funded. Our co-workers regularly earn their professional licenses and certifications - so, why not us? 

Would you like help with building a case for your firm's investment in your CPSM? Are you overwhelmed by the cost? SMPS now offers a certification assistance program! Please reach out to Marcie Lohr, CPSM, or any of the SMPS Seattle Chapter's CPSM members.