I have read many of the posts on this topic over the past week but
didn't see the need to comment since this is oft-plowed ground by now,
as several people have pointed out. Reading Peter's response to Mr.
Pemberton's post, however, brought to mind that a time and place were
set aside in the SAA program on the day after the certification exam for
an open discussion of certification. The purpose of scheduling it was
to provide a forum for discussions just such as this one. It seems to me
it was an opportune time for airing critiques of the exam since some of
those involved in developing the exam were there and the item-writing
workshop had been held just that morning. I am regretful that some of
the issues that have been raised on this list for the past week were not
brought to that discussion.
Laura
"He who destroyes a good Booke, kills reason it selfe" -- John Milton
Laura Lyons McLemore, Ph.D. C.A.
Archivist
Noel Memorial Library
Louisiana State University-Shreveport
One University Place
Shreveport, LA 71115
318-797-5378
Fax 318-797-5156
-----Original Message-----
From: Archives & Archivists [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Peter Kurilecz
Sent: Monday, August 07, 2006 8:36 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: CA Exam
On 8/7/06, J. Michael Pemberton <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> It's easy to fall into a trap where we look--or hope--for short-term
> payoffs. The Certified Records Manager certification began in 1975.
Only in
> the last few years have job notices explicitly required or "preferred"
a
> CRM. More will do so over time.
I remember applying for a position back in 1988 that stated "CRM
required". But Mike is right, it takes time. More and more positions
are stating CRM required, preferred or desired. Some even state CRM
candidate and must obtain certification within x years.
>
> Point is: don't get a certification of any kind and expect great
things to
> happen pronto--to you or to the profession. Time will tell. When folks
ask
> me about becoming certified, I say that it seems logical to pursue a
> certification in your field if there is one. If nothing else, it is a
> personal commitment to excellence wherever it may be.
this same discussion took place back in the not too distant past
explore the listser archives for discussions about certification. A
certification is, as Mike points out, a personal decision. My father
who is a board certified doctor told me year's ago that if I entered a
profession that had some sort of certification process that I should
pursue it. Not because it meant I was smarter than others, but that it
helped distinguish me from the masses. Certification has gotten me
into building, after that it all depends upon my experience and
desires.
consider it this way. You are interviewing two candidates, they each
have the same degrees (from the same school) they each have the same
number of years experience, they have each published the same number
of articles. they are both alike in numerous ways, and yet one of
them has a certification. which would you choose?
If certification doesn't matter then why do some individuals put MA,
or MLIS or MLS or whatever behind there names (not counting those with
PhDs). Is it to distinguish yourself from the herd?
I can tell you this though that when I enter a meeting with a
potential customer for my company's products the fact that I'm a CRM
speaks volumes. suddenly my credibility as a subject matter expert has
been established. and yes I also mention that I'm a certified
archivist.
Finally the key fact about certification is that both the ICRM and ACA
require that members attain a certain amount of certification
maintenance points over a 5 year period. Sometimes its tough to get
the points, but it does mean that I can document that I stay on top of
what is going on in the RIM world.
--
Peter Kurilecz CRM CA
Richmond, Va
A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the
Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org.
For the terms of participation, please refer to
http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp.
To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask]
In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
*or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES
To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask]
Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html
Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>
A posting from the Archives & Archivists LISTSERV List sponsored by the Society of American Archivists, www.archivists.org.
For the terms of participation, please refer to http://www.archivists.org/listservs/arch_listserv_terms.asp.
To subscribe or unsubscribe, send e-mail to [log in to unmask]
In body of message: SUB ARCHIVES firstname lastname
*or*: UNSUB ARCHIVES
To post a message, send e-mail to [log in to unmask]
Or to do *anything* (and enjoy doing it!), use the web interface at
http://listserv.muohio.edu/archives/archives.html
Problems? Send e-mail to Robert F Schmidt <[log in to unmask]>