Message #5016

[kknisley]

I had made the decision in the winter of 1999 to try for the test.  I work at Nationwide (insurance) and they really talk the talk and walk the walk when it comes to training.  They paid for my books and my tuition for the prep class I took at my local vocational school ($800 + books).  I had put it off for over 20 years even though I had employers that sort of encouraged me, they wouldn't help a bit as far as paying for IAAP (then it was PSI) dues, books, etc.  As a matter of fact, my most recent former employer had stressed she wanted me to take the test (part of my review), however when I finally applied, they tried to refuse to fill out their portion of the application acknowledging that I had been an admin assist for over 8 years!  Needless to say, I forced them to change their mind real quick by threatening to have an attorney contact them.



When I passed, my boss (who is a former CPS) gave me a lovely gift, flowers and lunch.  She let me go home early so I could get my results and stayed in her office until I called, answering on the first ring. She got so excited, she tried to contact anyone in the building (ever tried to find anyone after 5pm on a summer Friday evening?).  She will even pay for my trip to Hilton Head for the CPS seminar.  While I didn't get a bonus or raise, I feel all the above made up for it in spades.



I liked the workbooks and they helped me a lot.  However, the tests at the end of each chapter of the textbooks had many wrong answers!  There were even major boo-boos in the text books.  



I am so proud of my CPS rating and I sign my name with it whenever possible.  



For those of you thinking about taking the test, do it.  Even if you don't pass, you will still learn more and know more than before you did!