The Importance of Industry Certifications for Engineers

Yesterday, while meeting with a university in North Carolina, I was asked, "Do you think BCSI microcredentials are even necessary for a four year school since we confer bachelors degrees?" Yes. Yes, I do. Skills-based third party credentials allow a university to signal to their work ecosystem that they not only confer knowledge on their graduates, but also skills. The result? Their graduates get hired over graduates with no evidence of skills acquisition. And in the world of AI-drafted resumes, evidence is more important than ever. "Pairing an industry-recognized credential with a bachelor’s degree is a winning combination in the job market. This is evident in a fascinating market research survey that asked about hiring preferences when selecting among three hypothetical candidates: one with a bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, one with a bachelor’s degree in English and one with a bachelor’s degree in English and a cybersecurity credential. The English major with an industry-recognized cybersecurity credential beats the cybersecurity major by a factor of 3 and the English major by a factor of 4."

Civil engineering salaries are climbing. With labor shortages hitting the industry hard, firms are raising pay to attract and keep talent. Project managers and licensed engineers are seeing some of the biggest jumps. But here’s the kicker: passing your FE or PE exam can be the single best lever to accelerate your earning potential. Why? Licensure sets you apart in a competitive market. It unlocks leadership roles that carry bigger responsibility - and bigger paychecks. It shows clients and employers you’re serious about competence and ethics. If you’re on the fence about scheduling your exam, remember: the market is moving now. Don’t wait for conditions to be “perfect.” Your license is one of the surest ways to future-proof your career. For those who already earned your PE, how did it impact your career progression - or your paycheck?

Putting Off Your FE Exam? Here's Why You Shouldn't... I just spoke with a talented young engineer who's been delaying taking the FE exam to earn his EIT certification. While he’s bright and capable, not having this credential can significantly limit career growth, opportunities, and perception in the engineering community. Here’s why getting your EIT early matters: ◾ Career Advancement: Earning your EIT sets a clear path toward your Professional Engineer (PE) license. Without it, you're effectively putting a ceiling on your professional progression. ◾ Marketability: Many companies view the EIT as a baseline qualification. Not having it can immediately put you at a disadvantage when competing against peers who have taken this important step. ◾Professional Credibility: Your EIT credential signals seriousness and commitment to employers and colleagues alike. It can affect how you're perceived professionally, potentially limiting trust and responsibility placed on you. If you're an engineer at the start of your career, don't delay your FE exam. Prioritize earning your EIT certification early, your future self will thank you. I'd love to hear from experienced engineers, how important has having your EIT or PE been for your career advancement ?

I’m frequently asked whether a certification is worthwhile.   With the caveat that not all are created equal, here are some of the many benefits in my opinion.   • It demonstrates a commitment to learn – an underappreciated, yet significant strength in the modern era where change and complexity are constants.   • It forces you to learn, usually in a way that’s thoughtfully designed by industry experts.   • It forces you to continue learning over time (through CE requirements), creating a means to stay ahead of the pace of change.   • It enhances your credibility in your current job, typically serving as part of a justification for increased responsibilities.   • It supplies you with the knowledge to better handle those responsibilities, improving your likelihood of success and inevitably leading to promotions and better compensation.   • It helps distinguish you from other candidates for future jobs.   • It enhances the story of your journey – a wildly underappreciated differentiator in a competitive job market.   • It instills confidence and pride, both of which help personally and professionally.   • It connects you to a community of like-minded individuals with whom you can learn and grow together.   • It enables you to mentor others who want to follow your lead, a richly rewarding experience to pay it forward (and a signal that you’re an expert).   • It creates a flywheel of opportunities, such as public speaking, volunteering, consulting/freelancing, serving on advisory boards, and teaching.    The reality is that many of these benefits are perceived as “soft.” But speaking from experience, they’re also unquestionably real and incredibly meaningful.   At the other end of the spectrum, some may suggest you should learn by doing. That’s important too—but that binary, “either/or” mindset is so limiting. It should be a “both/and” situation.   For the cherry on top, here are my thoughts on the #AIGP specifically: https://lnkd.in/e7rQNDQs.   And here’s my running list of AIGP resources and tips: https://lnkd.in/g9yCY6w2 – with another update coming tomorrow.