Lessons from the Stanford Marshmallow Experiment

The Allure of Quick Completions vs. The Value of Quality Certifications:

In the 1972, Stanford researcher Walter Mischel conducted a famous experiment known as the “marshmallow test.” In it, children were given a marshmallow and told they could either eat it right away or wait 15 minutes and receive an additional marshmallow as a reward for their patience. The results showed that children able to delay gratification and wait for the larger reward tended to have better life outcomes down the road.

This iconic study highlights an important concept that applies to education and career development – the value of resisting the temptation of quick rewards in favor of pursuits that may take longer, but reap bigger benefits over time.

Consider the common dilemma faced by aspiring professionals today. On one hand, there are abundant online courses that promise completion certificates after just a few short hours or days. On the other hand, respected certification programs deliver more thorough, rigorous training, but require weeks or months of concentrated study to complete.

When faced with this choice, it’s tempting to opt for the quick hit of achievement and satisfaction from breezing through a short online course. But like the marshmallow test, delaying immediate gratification and investing time into a quality certification program often pays off down the road in several key ways:

Deeper Expertise

Certification programs rigorously cover all aspects of a skill or field. This helps certified professionals develop mastery grounded in comprehensive knowledge. In contrast, short online courses often provide high-level overviews without going into depth. Certifications lead to expertise, while course completions suggest basic familiarity.

Stronger Credentials

Certifications from respected institutions carry significant weight and credibility with employers. They indicate holders have met high standards and possess skills that align with industry needs. Generic course completion certificates simply show basic participation, but don’t signal meaningful capabilities.

Career Advancement

Studies show those with certifications earn higher salaries and are more likely to be promoted than non-certified peers. Investing in quality certifications pays off in the form of better job opportunities, higher pay and greater earning potential over a career.

Ongoing Relevance

Whereas course completion has a limited shelf life, certifications remain meaningful credentials for years after they are earned. Certified professionals demonstrate an ongoing commitment to their field versus chasing after whatever is newest or trendiest.

Networking Opportunities

Quality certification programs provide access to networks of like-minded professionals, instructors, and alumni. These contacts can be invaluable for career development through mentorships, collaborations, and new opportunities.

Satisfaction in Achievement

Earning a certification requires focus, determination and sacrifice. But surmounting challenges to meet high standards leads to immense satisfaction and pride. Quick course completions provide fleeting rewards, while certifications bring lasting fulfillment.

When faced with the temptation of easy completions versus meaningful certifications that take time, remember the marshmallow test. Resist short-term gratification in favor of pursuits that build real skills and knowledge.

Here are some additional tips for maximizing the value of certification:

  • Research which certifications are most respected and recommended within your industry. Look for programs aligned with industry skill standards.
  • Be selective – a few meaningful certifications from reputable sources are more valuable than a laundry list of unfamiliar ones.
  • Consider stacking certifications, such as getting foundational ones first before advancing to higher levels. Plan a progression.
  • Complement certifications with real-world experience. Apply your learning wherever possible.
  • Maintain certifications by completing any required continuing education. Renew them when needed.
  • Promote your certifications on your resume, website and other materials. Also display certifications professionally in your office.

Quality certifications require dedication but deliver immense rewards for those willing to invest the necessary time and effort. Like the children who waited patiently for two marshmallows, the payoffs of rigorous certifications are sweeter for those able to delay quick fixes in favor of meaningful accomplishments that create long-term value. Patience and discipline do pay off when it comes to building expertise and career success.

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Using Job Task Analysis to Create Effective Certification Programs

Developing a professional certification program requires an in-depth understanding of the target role. Job task analysis (JTA) provides a rigorous process to gather this insight. Conducting a detailed JTA lays the groundwork for certification that accurately reflects job requirements.

What is Job Task Analysis?

JTA is a systematic methodology to capture the nitty-gritty details of a job. It identifies the discrete knowledge, skills, abilities, and tasks required for competent performance. JTA goes beyond typical job descriptions to drill down to specifics through tools like interviews, surveys, observation, and focus groups.

The in-depth understanding gained from JTA serves as the blueprint for developing certification exams, training, and credentialing requirements.

Connecting JTA to Certification

Certification validates that individuals possess the competencies required for a profession. JTA helps shape certification by:

  • Defining the performance domains. JTA details the capabilities and underlying knowledge mandatory for competent practice. Certification is built around assessing these core domains.
  • Determining appropriate prerequisites. JTA reveals baseline education, training, and experience needed prior to certification. These prerequisites become requirements.
  • Developing the exam. The task list provides source material for relevant exam questions. JTA links test questions directly to job duties.
  • Setting recertification requirements. JTA helps establish ongoing renewal requirements that promote continued competence.
  • Shaping curriculum. Training and test prep materials mirror the knowledge/skills from JTA. This sharpens exam readiness.

For example, a JTA for a medical device sales role may reveal negotiating with hospital procurement officials as a core duty. The certification exam would then accurately include questions on negotiation skills and hospital purchasing processes.

Conducting Effective Job Task Analysis

Follow best practices to ensure JTA yields a robust foundation for certification:

  • Assemble a panel. Include content experts, job incumbents, supervisors, educators, and association leaders to provide diverse input.
  • Employ multiple techniques. Use surveys, interviews, focus groups, observation, and documentation review for completeness.
  • Develop task and knowledge listings. Comprehensively catalog tasks, knowledge, skills, tools, and context required for competence.
  • Link tasks to importance and frequency. Rate the criticality and frequency of each task for relevance.
  • Review with the panel. Have the expert panel evaluate completeness and importance ratings.
  • Update regularly. Monitor role changes and refresh JTA data to keep certification current.

JTA for Meaningful Certification

Proper JTA informs certification that:

  • Aligns with actual job duties through relevant exam content.
  • Provides credibility through rigorous prerequisites and recertification rules.
  • Sharpens exam readiness via training reflecting required skills and knowledge.
  • Meets industry needs for qualified talent.

In essence, JTA helps ensure certifications provide true validation of readiness for a profession. Matching exams and requirements to core occupational demands promote merit and value. Both individuals and employers can be confident certificate holders possess validated competence for day-one job effectiveness.

The upfront effort to conduct job task analysis pays off through professional certification that accurately reflects “real world” skills. JTA provides the blueprint for exams, learning, and credentialing rules that match occupational needs. This strengthens the ability of certification to develop talent and demonstrate mastery.

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ISO 17024 and ANSI Accreditation: The Process Explained

Obtaining accreditation under the ISO 17024 standard and the ANSI model is a significant undertaking for any certifying body. It involves rigorous self-assessment, comprehensive documentation, and a thorough review by the accreditation body. Despite the complexity of the process, the end result – the ability to issue globally recognized certifications – makes it a worthwhile endeavor. This article will guide you through the key steps involved in achieving ISO 17024 and ANSI accreditation, highlighting the integral components of the process.

The ISO 17024 Accreditation Process

The journey to ISO 17024 accreditation begins with a detailed understanding of the standard’s requirements. These requirements cover various aspects of the certification process, including the development of certification schemes, examination procedures, and management systems. The essential steps of this process are as follows:

  1. Defining Certification Program Objectives: The organization must first define clear objectives for the certification program. These objectives should align with industry needs and be designed to evaluate the competence of the individuals being certified.
  2. Developing Certification Schemes: A certification scheme defines the knowledge, skills, or abilities to be assessed, along with the methods for evaluating these competencies. The organization needs to develop robust schemes that cover all essential competencies related to the certification.
  3. Implementing Procedures: The organization must establish procedures for granting, maintaining, renewing, and suspending or withdrawing certification. These procedures should align with the ISO 17024 requirements to ensure fairness, impartiality, and consistency.
  4. Establishing Examination Processes: The development and administration of examinations is a crucial component of the certification process. The organization needs to design exams that effectively assess the defined competencies, ensuring their reliability and validity. This also involves setting up procedures for administering the exams and managing exam results.
  5. Documentation and Internal Audit: The organization needs to document all its processes and conduct an internal audit to ensure compliance with ISO 17024. This audit will identify any gaps that need to be addressed before the formal accreditation process.
  6. Application and Accreditation Assessment: After preparing thoroughly and addressing any identified gaps, the organization can submit its application for ISO 17024 accreditation. This is followed by an assessment by the accreditation body, which includes a review of the submitted documentation and an on-site audit.

The ANSI Accreditation Process

The ANSI accreditation process is designed to ensure that certification bodies meet both U.S. requirements and the global standards set by ISO 17024. The key steps in the ANSI accreditation process are:

  1. Documentation Review: The certifying body needs to submit a self-assessment along with comprehensive documentation of its procedures, certification schemes, and management systems. ANSI reviews these documents to assess initial compliance with ISO 17024 and ANSI’s accreditation rules.
  2. On-Site Assessment: If the documentation review is successful, ANSI conducts an on-site assessment. This is an in-depth audit where the accreditation body evaluates the organization’s implementation of its documented procedures and practices.
  3. Decision on Accreditation: Once the on-site assessment is completed, the ANSI accreditation committee reviews the assessment report and makes a decision regarding accreditation.

In conclusion, while the journey to ISO 17024 and ANSI accreditation may seem daunting, it is an instrumental process that ensures the highest quality and global recognition of certifications. Through rigorous self-evaluation, thorough documentation, and a commitment to meeting global standards, certifying bodies can achieve this coveted accreditation, providing immense value to the professionals they certify.

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Veteran Blockchain Expert Bryant Nielson to Lead New Web3 Certification Board as Chief Executive Officer

For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C. – July 19, 2023 – The newly established Web3 Certification Board (W3CB) has appointed blockchain industry veteran Bryant Nielson as its first Chief Executive Officer. The W3CB is creating accredited certifications and standards for blockchain and related decentralized technologies.

“We could not have found a more qualified and dedicated leader than Bryant for the W3CB,” said a representative of the W3CB Board of Directors. “His pioneering work in blockchain training and education will help drive the success of our certification programs.” 

Nielson brings over a decade of experience across the public and private sectors of the blockchain industry. He currently serves as Director of Training for Bullish Global and was formerly Director of Training for Block.one. Nielson founded the first dedicated blockchain training company, The Blockchain Academy, in 2014.

“Universal, trusted certifications are critical as blockchain technology matures past the experimental stage,” said Nielson. “I’m excited to leverage my background to help the W3CB shape the future of blockchain certification and skills validation.”

The W3CB will develop certifications aligned with international standards and industry needs. Programs will start with foundational knowledge before expanding into specialized domains.

“Nielson’s leadership and expertise will give professionals, employers, and consumers confidence in the W3CB’s certifications,” said the Board representative. “We aim to close the global blockchain skills gap through rigorous, meaningful certifications.”

The W3CB is slated to release its first certifications in Q3 2023. 

 

About the Web3 Certification Board (W3CB)
More information can be found at www.w3cb.org 

The Web3 Certification Board (W3CB) is a non-profit organization established to develop rigorous, accredited certifications in blockchain technology and related decentralized systems. As blockchain adoption accelerates, demand has grown for trusted certification programs that validate expertise and capabilities in this specialized field. The W3CB was formed to create comprehensive, globally-consistent certifications aligned with international standards and industry needs.

Press Contact Disclaimer
press@w3cb.org 

The Web3 Certification Board (W3CB) accepts press inquiries regarding the organization, its certifications, and related matters. All statements and information provided by the W3CB’s press contacts are solely for informational purposes. This communication does not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice. W3CB press contacts cannot advise individuals on certification or career decisions. All certification and career decisions should be made independently with advice from appropriate licensed professionals. All business and contractual decisions are at the full discretion and responsibility of relevant stakeholders. The W3CB makes no warranties or guarantees, express or implied, related to any statements by its press contacts.

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Web3 Certification Board Established to Create Accredited Blockchain Certifications 

For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C. – July 10, 2023 – The newly formed Web3 Certification Board (W3CB) has been established to develop accredited certifications and standards in blockchain technology, distributed ledgers, and related decentralized technologies. 

The W3CB will create certifications aligned with international standards from ANSI and ISO/IEC 17024. This ensures W3CB certifications will meet global requirements for personnel certification programs. Course completion certificates are not the same as accredited certifications, which require independent oversight and renewal requirements.

“There is tremendous demand for trusted, vendor-neutral certifications that validate blockchain skills and knowledge,” said Bryant Nielson, CEO of the Web3 Certification Board. “Our certifications will provide employers, professionals, and consumers confidence in certified blockchain and web3 experts.” 

The W3CB will start by developing foundational certifications around blockchain fundamentals. More specialized tracks will follow, along with assessments that align with industry needs and standards. Programs will be structured to be globally consistent yet locally relevant.

“Completing a blockchain course is just the first step,” added Nielson. “Individuals need to prove they have mastered the skills through independent certification testing. That’s what the W3CB will provide.”

The W3CB plans to have its first certifications available by Q3 2023. It will work closely with industry leaders and experts to ensure programs stay current. Renewal requirements will also help certified individuals demonstrate ongoing learning and development.

 

About the Web3 Certification Board (W3CB)
More information can be found at www.w3cb.org. 

The Web3 Certification Board (W3CB) is an organization established to develop rigorous, accredited certifications in blockchain technology and related decentralized systems. As blockchain adoption accelerates, demand has grown for trusted certification programs that validate expertise and capabilities in this specialized field. The W3CB was formed to create comprehensive, globally-consistent certifications aligned with international standards and industry needs.

Press Contact Disclaimer
press@w3cb.org 

The Web3 Certification Board (W3CB) accepts press inquiries regarding the organization, its certifications, and related matters. All statements and information provided by the W3CB’s press contacts are solely for informational purposes. This communication does not constitute investment, legal, or financial advice. W3CB press contacts cannot advise individuals on certification or career decisions. All certification and career decisions should be made independently with advice from appropriate licensed professionals. All business and contractual decisions are at the full discretion and responsibility of relevant stakeholders. The W3CB makes no warranties or guarantees, express or implied, related to any statements by its press contacts.

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