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msmarieh
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I have been reading this thread with much interest (and some disapproval of the negativity between individuals) and I thought that I would weigh in with my opinion. I am a CPS (Nov-97) and MOUS Office 97 Master (Word, Excel, PowerPoint 2000 completed; Access, Outlook 2000 pending). I also have a host of other certifications and unique skills.
Neither the CPS nor the MOUS exam are particularly well known. The MOUS exam is increasing in publicity, but it is nowhere near common in the business world and most companies could not tell you what it is or who offers it. The CPS exam is known by only a rare few companies.
The power that you gain from certifications is the knowledge itself. Anytime you push yourself beyond your boundaries, explore new territories that you haven't learned about or encourage yourself to stretch your mental limits you are doing yourself a favor.
That favor may return itself in monetary gain or it may not. It may pave the path to promotions, raises, new jobs or it may not. It may benefit you tangibly with more money or intangibly with self confidence, better self esteem and more or it may not. But what it does give you and what no one can take away is increased knowledge. Knowledge is NEVER wasted even if it is not immediately apparent how it is used.
The CPS rating has benefitted me by allowing me to understand corporate annual reports to know whether the companies are financially stable or not when I am interviewing them. It has allowed me to develop contracts and proposals with proper wording for my boss so that the lawyer spends less time reviewing them and hence my boss saves money. The behavioral sciences part in particular has helped me to reason with different personality types in new ways and to come up with new methods of motivation based on the individual's personal motivators. The CPS has expanded my knowledge of human resources issues which has come in useful in several positions. It has prepared me for launching my own business (which I am in the process of doing).
I have had very high levels of authority and responsibility and my bosses have always not only respected my opinions and input, but actively solicited them. Did I get these positions as a result of my CPS? Probably not (although maybe it did - my last boss often bragged about my certifications to clients and associates). However, I did get them because I showed my bosses my ability to view the big picture, to think outside the box when considering solutions, and my persistence in keeping my skills up to date and broad.
The CPS and MOUS are not interchangeable. They are completely separate and they test different areas of expertise and knowledge. This is why I completed both of them.
The CPS and a degree are not interchangeable. They each serve different roles and they are each of value. Each individual must decide what the relative value is for himself or herself. There are advantages and disadvantages to every certification or degree just as there are advantages and disadvantages to seeking knowledge or avoiding knowledge.
Marie
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