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There is a big demand
for training for search engine optimization and SEO
skills. Most training organizations say they
offer "certification" when you complete their program.
When I went looking for a training
program I did what you might be doing right now, trying
to figure out exactly what does certification mean for
optimization training?
What I discovered
is that most optimization and SEO training companies do
self-certification.
You get certified because they say so.
That's not quite like
being a licensed stock broker or a certified public
account. It might be more like those spam emails
you get where they mail you a college diploma for fifty
bucks? I hope not, but if self-certification works
that way, maybe you don't need to go to school to say
you are certified? If they can do it, I guess you
can, too?
This doesn't mean
their training isn't good. Could be great.
But in my opinion, if we are ever going the bring Search
Engine Optimization to the same professional level as
securities dealers or CPA's, we need some credibility
when we say we are certified for anything.
Even barbers
have to have a license?
Being able to say
"I are one" wasn't good enough for me. Is it good
enough for you?
I wanted my
training to be truly certified and concluded my
search for a training organization when I found John
Alexander and Robin Nobles'
Search Engine Workshops. I took the three
day advanced program in June 2005 in Atlanta. I am
now Advanced SEO Certified.
I asked Robin Nobles
to explain for my benefit and yours, what does
Search Engine Workshops' certification mean?
Here is what she said:
Good question,
Ron!
We offer university CEU's
(Continuing Education Units).
Students who complete all
of the course material and
make a passing grade on the exams are
eligible to earn university CEU's.
There is
one online training company that I'm aware of that
offers University CEU's.
They also call
their program "accredited,"
but that's not really
correct.
CEU's are not the same as
university "credits", and
"accredited" to me and to the
educational system implies credits
like you would get if you were attending a college
or university.
CEU's
can't be applied toward a degree of any kind.
But, you can often use them toward a
larger CEU program where
several different courses have been packaged
together, like a Web Master's Certificate, or
something like that. But it's not the same as
credits that apply toward a
degree.
Search Engine Workshops and our
related online and other training programs
are "recognized" by the U. S.
educational system, which is
extremely
rare. Most training companies don't go to the
trouble.
Getting our
programs recognized and our curricula approved
involved
a mountain of paperwork and a lot
of time. They review the course
material, the exams and
everything. There is
a recognized governing body standing behind
us making sure
we are following their
educational guidelines,
and that's why we do it:
credibility
Recognition
proves that we stand for SOMETHING.
We didn't just hang out a sign that says
"We're trainers". We
go through an accredited
university who stands behind the
value of our programs and recognizes them as
education of equal quality to a college or
university class: The University of Southern
Mississippi.
Thank you, Robin.
I personally recommend John, Robin and
Search Engine Workshops to anyone who wants to
expand their SEO skills to a high degree of competency.
I have been doing
webs and SEO since 1995-1996, have done well being
self-taught, but what I learned and continue to learn
from my experience with their training is worth many
times the price of tuition. And, when I say I am
Certified, I have credibility.
If you want to be
truly Search Engine Optimization Certified, look at what
Search Engine Workshops has to offer. |
