Students: Take the exam, get the cred

Getting that first job out of graduate school is tough to pull off in any field. Doing so in the archives profession is no different.

Fortunately, ACA offers professional certification to qualified individuals, whether they are seasoned veterans or newly-minted grads. In fact, experience shows that the best time to sit for the certification exam is soon after graduating from an archival education program, when all those lecture notes and training are still fresh in your mind.

In other words: Strike while the iron’s hot!

Certification gives you an edge in a competitive job market and tells prospective employers that you are ready to meet the challenges of acquiring, preserving, describing and providing access to significant records. It’s also a great foundation on which to build professional experience over time.

Consider inviting an ACA member to talk to your student chapter about certification. They can help get you started by giving an overview of the process, tips on how to prepare for the exam, and getting a study group going.

To connect with an ACA member from your area, contact Michael Arbagi: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . He will arrange to have somebody speak with your group and answer any questions you may have about the certification process.

And you’ll be one step closer toward getting the cred!