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Certification 📜 Is AICP worth the cost?

ursus said:
I agree with this sentiment, MJ, and let me tell you why: I am not AICP certified. I got a job as a planning division manager doing pretty well without the AICP or a masters degree, based on my then 11 years of experience and honestly I'm just a helluva good interview. :) Moved up from that PD Manager's position - again without the AICP - to the CED Director for a pretty good sized city. I just never got around to it! Here's my point: You're 100% correct to want it to open doors. I wish I hadn't assumed that after having been the director, etc., I wouldn't need it; I definitely feel like I was overlooked in competition with less experienced but better credentialed folks as I applied to positions this summer.

I am down two pegs on the ladder, in spite of having done those jobs in a fairly large, centrally located city and with 21 years in the field. Never think that sunset's in view till it's blinding you and driving you off the road, folks!!!! :)
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I think one issue is that some government agencies are heavy on testing and checking boxes. HR Departments are looking for ways to quantify applicants. If they feel the job requires 7 years experience, a masters degree in one of 5 fields, a certification, and 17 flagged keywords in your resume, they might not send it on the hiring department if all the boxes are checked.

I think this is fade a bit because applicants are somewhat scarce.
 
I've had it since 2013, and my employer has paid for everything except the prep course and test fee.

1. I don't have a planning degree, and when I got AICP, I did not have a Master's at all. I was hoping for an eventual promotion to PD with my employer and wanted to be able to be competitive if they happened to go outside to recruit (where, due to the desirability of location) we often get unknown/outtastate applicants who aren't actually very good planners/ think where I work will be an easy ride.

2. I was in a silo and didn't have a supervisor who supported a lot of continuing ed/conference attendance for anybody but themselves. "I need the CM" was a good way form me to break that barrier and "getting out there" has been a huge boost to my enjoyment of my career.

3. I now have my Master's, but it's planning-adjacent, not in planning. AICP plus experience helps backfill that, I think. I'm not looking to go anywhere anytime soon but I probably have a solid 20+ years of my working life ahead of me and a lot could happen. I have a calendar item that prompts me to update my resume every six months. @ursus "sunset" quote is words of wisdom for sure.

4. If I had to find all free ways to keep up my CM I could. That has gotten much easier over the last 10 years.
 
I've been AICP since 2000. Has it been worth it, yes, though getting the CM's has been a hassle at times. Studying for it made me sharper. It's also helped me get some jobs. It's also allowed me to go to conferences in places I normally won't have gone, such as Seattle, San Francisco, Minneapolis, etc. Once I retire I'll drop it like a hot potato.
 
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