Credentials

Credentials and certifications can be powerful career boosters.  Wet toilet paper can be more powerful than credentials and certifications if you do not understand and apply the work behind the badge.

Did you ever know a person who graduated from a tech school with straight A’s?  He was so smart he was scary.  But what really scared you was when he picked up a tool.  Where was the tool permit police when you needed them?  This fellow could draw a line schematic to get himself out of a paper bag, but lacked the common sense to walk right out through the bag opening.  And you and I both know the real problem, our friend doesn’t think he has a problem because he is so smart.

Some engineers are like this as well.  They design and draw mechanical systems on blueprints.  But get them into the field to deal with the application and they are utterly mystified as to where that structural beam came from…the one where their piece of equipment is supposed to go.

Today’s lesson is pretty basic:  Don’t get credentials for the sake of having credentials.  Understand what goes on in the field.  Understand the application of your credentials.

Photo by Brooklynyte on Flickr