IAAP Membership/CPS Rating -- Worth It?

[ssc1208]

I know that we have some CPS's here on the board and I was wondering what people's opinion on whether or not a CPS rating or an IAAP membership would be worth the time, effort, and money. I don't want to offend those who are members or CPS's, I just wanted to know what your opinion is.



Thanks,

Sabrina

[msrobbie]

Back in October, I posted the following response to a similar question in Admins 4 Admins.  It was titled "Membership Organizations" and was started on October 3, 2000, in case you want to find it on these pages and read everyone's responses.  I think my reponse back then could be pertinent to your question as well.



Here it is:



When joining a group or organization (whether it's IAAP, Chamber of Commerce, Toastmasters, or any other group), you can't expect to get anything out of it unless you put something into it. Just joining a group (under most circumstances) does not get you an automatic return, and if you enter an organization expecting instant gratification with no effort on your part, you'll be sorely disappointed every time.



If you don't expect to contribute and only want "something for nothing", then don't join a group. You will only be wasting your time and the time of the members of the organization who are trying to improve and expand their group.



The purpose of bringing together a group of people is to draw from each individual to attain a goal, solve a problem, or provide a service. What you bring to a group is very important, and your efforts must include improving the organization, to give the group something it did not have before.



Participation and commitment to making the group evolve into something that will benefit all the members should be the goal of every person who joins a group. Get involved. Make suggestions. Encourage others to join in. Promote diversity in backgrounds, ages, gender, and points of view. Interact to build an organization that can give something back to you. Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you've attempted to make a difference.

 

[sungoddesslv]

Sabrina,

If you will go back to the thread of which Ms. Robbie speaks, you will very good discussion.



Having been in IAAP for the past 10 years, I must speak for the organization.  I have met 100s if not 1,000s of members with whom I have formed lasting friendships.  My involvement in the association has improved my self-esteem, my leadership skills, my public speaking skills and has provided me with many educational opportunities.  For the past six years, of the three annual conferences (division, district and international), I have missed only one.  I find membership in the association to be very rewarding and worth the very reasonable annual dues. Can you not afford it?



Now regarding the CPS.  This may be the only place where I am not in total agreement with IAAP and the CPS holders.  In some cases, the CPS has benefited the recipient with increase recognition and pay; however, not having the rating has not held me back.  I do not feel that those who hold the rating are any more qualified than I.  What is more important:  studying for an exam and passing it; or years' worth of hands-on experience?  I certainly don't mean to demean anyone who has earned the CPS rating.  I hope that it provides them with the outcome they expected.



Please check the IAAP website for additional information and find a chapter in your area.  Visit the chapter -- check it out for yourself.  If you want to ask specific questions or chat further email me at sungoddesslv@administrative-assistants.com (I hope that I got that right!  I don't use it often)



sungoddess

[goldenearring]

Hi, Sabina:

My two cents' is somewhat similar to sungoddess.  I do not have a CPS, and although I pondered getting one, I feel my time and money would be better invested into getting an MBA.  My advice:  invest that year or more of study into getting a college degree or an advanced degree.  The payoff, in the long run, will be far greater, even though it will be a lot more work.  I make excellent money, and because (like Uncle Buck's hat) just the sight of my salary angers some people, I will not post it.  LOL  



As far as IAAP membership, though, I think Robbie is right.  If you are interested in gaining a support group, go for it.  Study out the different chapters available to you, though, and join the one best suited to your needs/interests.  If you are the outgoing type and serious about meeting other women who can help you and you can help them, it is great.  I certainly wouldn't join it mainly for the monthly "educational" opportunities, though, because my experience has been that you could find most of the advice given rather quickly by yourself and save yourself the time and energy.  You'd be better off buying a book on the topics you're most interested in.  



My only problem with IAAP is I know that the membership is aging, just like the population on the whole, and if you don't want to be an administrative professional the rest of your working life, there may be other organizations which will be better for you to join.  Plan on the average member age being about 40, from what I've observed.  Of course, this will vary from chapter to chapter, but probably not much from what I've heard from friends.  You'll just have to weigh out the pros and cons for you.  Best wishes - GE.  



P.S.  I would highly recommend the IAAP publication "Office Pro," though, for up-to-date info and helpful tips.  I think a subscription to that is about $24/year.

[ohiosec]

Is a CPS rating/IAAP membership worth the time, effort or money?



With respect to the CPS rating, I received mine in 1997 and believe it is definitely worth it.  First of all, it did amazing things for my self-esteem.  It is really something to be proud of!  Secondly, if you work for a company that values a CPS, it can make a big difference in your career.  (I happen to work for a company that does not value a CPS, but I managed to get a great job there.  At the time I thought it was because I had my CPS, but later found out that the HR people don't know what a CPS is.  So I guess it was the rest of my resume and luck.)  Whether or not you get recertified, your CPS can't be taken away from you, so you will always have it.  Also, you are able to join a CPS group in your area.  I have joined the one in my area and it is a great group.  



With respect to IAAP membership, I'm a member, but not an active one.  I am considering becoming more active this year, though. Others in this forum know much more about IAAP than I do.  

[ccolleen413]

MsRobbie,



Thanks so much for permission to use your post for my own nefarious purposes.  I promise not to abuse it and I definitely will not alter it in any way.



Thanks!

Colleen

[workerbee]

Hi, Sabrina.



I'm a member if IAAP and I have my CPS rating.  Most companies in my area don't know what the CPS tests involve, but when they find out, they're impressed!  And I plan to go for the new CAP (certified administrative professional) rating next year.



If you want to jump-start a college degree, your CPS can be worth up to 26 college credits.  This could shave a lot of time off your educational process, and might be worth getting just for that reason.



I am very active in my chapter, and have benefited with increased self-confidence, strategic planning, leadership  and (unbelievably, to me at least) public speaking skills.  I wouldn't trade my work in IAAP for anything.



Check out the website (www.iaap-hq.org) and see for yourself if it's right for you.



Elaine Malik CPS

[icebreakerpenguin]

As much as I like being a member of IAAP and what it's done for me, I would have to agree with Golden Earring.  I earned the CPS rating in 1996 and received a nice raise (only because I spent a lot of time communicating to management what it was all about).  I have since had other jobs since that and I have to say that more companies are unaware of the CPS.  Even those companies that are aware of it will not necessarily hire the one who does have the rating.  The more I see, the more I realize that the CPS hold clout in the IAAP community but not so much in the corporate world.  I would say only a small number of companies recognize the person with a CPS.  (Correct me if I'm wrong.)  I would agree that a college degree holds the clout in getting top dollar, like Golden Earring, whom I envy and hope to emulate someday.  Even though I have the CPS, I am not getting the top offers because I don't have a college degree.  Many more high level administrative positions require it!  Not a CPS!  Now it's a matter of trying to get college credits for my CPS and going from there.  Also, listen to MsRobbie, she's right too -- IAAP is a great association only if you participate in it!

[andrea843]

A total of three posts have been deleted from this thread.  This is not the place for it ladies.  Discuss IAAP with reasonable attention to other's feelings or discuss it elswhere please  



Andrea

[goldenearring]

Oh, well.  I'll try not to feel left out.  



 To Workerbee:  Do you know offhand whether CPS courses that you can take get outright college credit; otherwise, I think you need to go through the additional agony of testing out of a course in the college of your choice to get the credit.  i-penguin, you flatter me, and I think you will be great.  I definitely would focus on that college degree.  That and some doggone good luck job hunting works wonders.



I repeat:  IAAP is a greatorganization IF and only if you are going to get in there and "work the crowd."  There are great people, mostly my age and above, who have reams of stuff to share, but they aren't going to sit down and tell you about it, you need to initiate conversations and show up, show up, show up.



If you want to get a CPS, and you don't want to be an admin all your life, maybe a roundabout way is to take the college courses first and then brush up for a CPS.  Just trying to save you some money and time, folks.

[kknisley]

I earned my CPS rating in June 2000 and it did wonders for my self esteem.  Where I work, CPS rating is quite valued.  While not necessarily with immediate monetary gains, you DO get more respect here by the execs when they see CPS behind your name.  



I do know that our community college (Columbus State) accepts the CPS as college credits and I think they knock off almost one year of study towards an Associate Degree.



I am also going to try for the CAP rating in May.  More for curiosity about the test than anything. It should be interesting.  



IAAP - yes, the membership is aging and I think  IAAP needs to do some serious rethinking about their membership requirements and restate their mission.  They also need to have more PR done.  Recruit in the high schools, community colleges, teachers.  Encourage more chapters to be formed in the rural and small town areas.  



 

[barbri]

I think the answer to this question is very personal. It has been worth it for me, but I didn't join IAAP or earn my CPS because I hoped it would earn me a higher salary. I joined IAAP in order to network with others in my chosen profession, to be able to learn from others' experiences and share mine, to have and be a resource. I know of many people who received a raise when they earned the CPS rating. Unfortunately, this didn't happen for me, but I really took the test to prove to myself that I could.



Most colleges will give credit for passing the CPS exam. There is a book they use that gives them recommendations of how many credit hours in what areas. It's the same thing they would use to give public speaking credit for the Dale Carnegie Course, for example.



I agree with previous posters - you get out of a professional membership what you put into it. If, at a minimum, you don't plan to attend meetings, there is no point in paying for a membership. However, I find value in the networking aspect of the organization, even when I don't serve on committees or on the board.



IAAP is in trouble when it comes to adding new members and retaining old members. My own chapter is probably going to dissolve because our membership numbers are declining and the members we do have don't attend meetings regularly and aren't willing to work for the chapter. I'm sorry this is their decision, but I know how busy everyone is these days. I hope that IAAP will find a way to make itself relevant to people entering the profession today. I think it can be a great learning arena for the leadership skills admins who want to move into management will need.



Barb

[andrea843]

Two of the three posters who had posts deleted from this thread have received a three day ban from the forums.  Both for email to the site administrator that was neither constructive nor warranted, and one for violation of TOS in addition to the Email which, also violates TOS.



Thanks



 

[workerbee]

I don't have the brochure with me right now, but several of the classes were waived with a CPS rating.  Of course, anyone can test out on any courses that were listed.  Some of the classes waived were Business English, Intro to Computers, word processing, spreadsheets, and others that I can't remember right now.  Ironically, basic keyboarding was NOT waived; how much sense does that make, especially when on the job experience is a requirement for the CPS.



Besides saving time by having classes waived, one could also save $$$ by not having to pay the testing fees.



And to Andrea, thanks for keeping the forums a "no-fight" zone.



Elaine

[ssc1208]

Thanks to all who commented. And I'm sorry that my topic caused such a comotion! I didn't mean it, honest. If I offended anyone in asking, I apologize, I didn't mean to belittle any of your hard work, I just wanted honest opinions. Thanks again.