The Value of Professional DEI Certification

In today's competitive job market, having a certification can give you a significant edge over other candidates. This credential demonstrates your skills and knowledge in a particular area and can help you qualify for jobs, advance your career, and earn a higher salary.

There are distinct certifications relevant to specific career fields. For example, nurse practitioners certify through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners while a human resources professional may be certified through the Society for Human Resource Management or Human Resource Certification Institute. Regardless of whether your field requires certification or not, earning credentials can elevate your career.

Top benefits of professional certification

• Advance your career. If you’re already working in a job, getting certified can prove your career commitment and that you’re willing to invest in your development.
• Qualify for new jobs. Many employers now require candidates to have certain certifications, especially for jobs in high-demand fields.
• Earn a higher salary. Studies show that certified professionals earn 10-15% more than non-certified professionals, on average.
• Develop your leadership skills. Diversity and inclusion (D&I) is a complex issue that requires strong leadership. A certification can help you develop the skills you need to lead D&I initiatives in your organization.
• Build your network. A certification program gives you the opportunity to network with other professionals committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). This can be a valuable resource as you work to create a more diverse and inclusive workplace.

Considering certification?

Here are some things to keep in mind.

• Choose a certification relevant to your career goals.
• Ensure that the certification is from a reputable organization. There are a lot of scams out there, so do your research before registering.
• Be prepared to put in the time and effort required. Certification exams can be challenging, but they are worth it in the end.

Do DEI professionals need certification?

Diversity, equity, and inclusion is a critical issue for organizations of all sizes. In today's globalized and interconnected world, businesses can no longer afford to ignore the diversity of their customers, employees, and partners. Additionally, a diverse and inclusive workplace is essential for innovation, creativity, and productivity.

Many DEI practitioners have ambition, drive, and passion, but not all have the professional training to truly drive culture change at work. Professional diversity, equity, and inclusion certification can help you develop the skills and knowledge you need to create interventions that drive positive outcomes. A diversity certification program will teach you the history and theory of DEI, as well as the practical skills you need to apply inclusive initiatives in your organization.

Studies show that certification is an asset for both job seekers and employees. These data-driven sources support the value of professional diversity, equity, and inclusion certification:

• Society for Human Resource Management – organizations with DEI initiatives in place are more likely to have higher employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and financial performance.
• Harvard Business Review – companies with diverse leadership teams are more likely to be innovative and successful.
• Credit Suisse – companies with more women on their boards of directors are more likely to outperform their peers on financial metrics such as return on equity and return on assets.
• McKinsey Global Institute – closing the gender gap could add $12 trillion to the global GDP by 2025.
• National Association of Colleges and Employers – 72% of employers said they would be more likely to hire a job candidate who had a certification.
• Society for Human Resource Management – certified professionals earn an average of 10-15% more than non-certified professionals.
• American Society for Training and Development – employees who are certified are more likely to be engaged in their work and to stay with their company.

Take the next step

While many credentialing programs are relevant to all career fields, other certifications can benefit any professional or executive career path, including professional credentials through the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC)®. IDC’s certifications demonstrate your expertise in diversity and inclusion and can help ensure your work practices enable and accommodate your colleagues and customer groups.

• Set clear goals and objectives for DEI.
• Develop a comprehensive DEI strategy.
• Create a culture of inclusion.
• Provide DEI training and education.
• Measure and optimize your progress.

Ready for the next step in your professional journey? IDC® offers two certification programs for all types of professionals and executives who are committed to creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces:

The leading provider of diversity and inclusion credentialing programs, IDC offers two certification programs for individuals from varying career paths and experience:

1. Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)® - designed for anyone interested in or responsible for championing diversity in their organization.
2. Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® - designed for executives who are responsible for setting the vision and strategy for their organizations.

Investing in DEI is an investment in your organization's future. By becoming certified, you can show your commitment to DEI and help your organization create a more inclusive and productive workplace for all. Discover IDC's certification programs!