Career Information for a Certificate Program

Contrary to what your relatives might say, you don't always have to have a college diploma to succeed in the real world; today, more and more people are improving their salaries and career options by entering certificate programs. People can complete certificate programs for careers such as caterer, hotel receptionist or network design engineer assistant. Read more here!


What is a Certificate Program?
A professional or trade certification or professional designation is simply a way of showing that a person is qualified to perform a job. Certification means that the holder has specific knowledge, skills or abilities in the view of the certifying body. One can become certified by completing guided training and/or passing an exam. Some certifications last a lifetime, but others must be renewed at regular intervals during the course of one's career. There are as many certificate programs as there are passions, from sewing machine repair to drawing to interior design. Sample careers for holders of professional certificates are described below.

Caterer

Many functions, be they big or small, provide food for delegates, guests or employees. This may comprise light snacks or a larger, more formal meal comprising several courses, including alcoholic beverages and dessert. Caterers may work in large industrial kitchens or use clients' on-site kitchen facilities. Quite often food is prepared off-site and brought in using insulated containers to retain heat and quality. To reduce costs, some companies now employ caterers to oversee hospitality rather than incurring the expense, both in terms of time and money, of dining out with clients. Holders of certificates in catering or hospitality services generally find work as catering managers or captains, directing the labor of others and interacting with clients. Hours generally start quite early in order to prepare meals in time. Weekend work is common, and for some companies weekends may be the busiest time of the week.

Hotel Receptionist

Hotel receptionists perform a vital role in the smooth running of a hotel. They represent the hotel to the public and are generally the first person guests meet. Hotel receptionists need to be approachable, confident, helpful and have high standards of personal grooming. Work involves meeting and greeting guests, allocating rooms, bill preparation, taking payment and helping guests make travel arrangements. Most hotel receptionists work shifts, especially in large international hotels. In spite of the growth in telecommuting and e-commerce, face-to-face meetings are still necessary for many business dealings, and hotels continue to enjoy a healthy revenue stream from the business community.

Network Design Engineer Assistant

Network design engineer assistants may find employment with many different companies. As computer technology has become the modern economy's most valuable resource and networking has become commonplace, the need for workers with expertise in these fields has exploded. Daily tasks for a network design engineer assistant may include installing, designing and configuring networks. Many companies have networks already, so much of a network design assistant's work may consist of upgrading existing installations to improve response times, tighten security, maximize performance and increase bandwidth.