Today’s fast evolving global society requires that professionals learn foreign languages and be aware of the necessity for continuous education and training. With the free flow of trade and the integration of the global economy, employers now seek individuals with relevant and diverse educational backgrounds.

In order to commence a new career, acquire a job, or to receive promotion in one’s present employment, more and more education and experience are required. In today’s economy, success depends largely on the individual’s academic and people skills as well as on their ability to solve problems, work with teams, and function in an international context. In response to this accelerating technological and economic change, employers’ first tend to hire people with the most recent and relevant education and experience. One must constantly be at the head of the competition in order to secure the best job. Competitiveness also depends on the knowledge of up-to-date business and technical terminology. For these reasons, every day more and more students and professionals prefer taking Professional Certificate Programs.

Professional certificates are granted after satisfactory completion of a rigorous academic curriculum. These certificates are considered ‘professional’ because the instruction is focused directly on the educational requirements of a particular field of employment or profession, such as business, marketing, finance, computers, graphic design, advertising, etc.

Professional Certificate Programs are ideal for those who seek career advancement and wish to further their studies. University students, college graduates, and business people prefer studying in Professional Certificate Programs to achieve their career goals. The U.S. is the world’s most exciting place to study with the world’s best system of higher education offering a rich field of choices for the international student. There are an array of universities, programs and locations to choose from.

Professional Certificate Programs take less time to complete, are less expensive, and are more focused and relevant. These programs do not require the completion of an entrance or placement examination like GMAT, GRE or SAT. However, advanced level English language skills are required to attend. Depending on the institution that you apply to, a TOEFL score of 500 to 550 is a pre-requisite to enroll.

In most certificate programs, classes invite guest lecturers who are either owners, CEO’s or managers of companies in the United States. Company visits are also organized in order to give participants a chance to view company’s systems, corporate culture, and other features. Participants meet with company managers who provide them with significant opportunities to network and to develop relationships that will benefit them in their futures.

One of the greatest advantages of taking Professional Certificate Programs is that participants gain the opportunity to take Internships after successful completion of course work. Internships, however, are not offered by all institutions or universities, therefore one must search for universities that have the Internship option for those who want experience in an American company. Often times, these internships are coordinated with and supported by classes on various topics, such as project management, leadership skills, team building, etc. These classes help interns to get the most out of their internship experiences.

With the development of a more global economy, the emergence of new markets and the growth of international trade, those in the business world need to communicate more efficiently and effectively with each other. It has become more critical than ever for business people to understand the differences between cultures, to grasp the factors that affect doing business internationally and to possess the ability to interact successfully with various nationalities. That is why internships provide the perfect platform for gaining the desired international work experience. In addition, certificate program classes are enriched by the fact that participants come from all over the world, and that they share similar aims and goals with their classmates. Learning takes place not only through lectures, and communication between class-mates, but also through developing skills for handling conflicts that may arise due to differences in perceptions.

If you have the time and opportunities to learn how to handle more effectively the challenges of a changing global environment, you should consider taking Professional Certificate Programs to suit your academic, professional and/or personal needs. Get ready for new challenges ahead of you and be on top of the competition!

For more information, contact:

Fatmanur Erdogan
Tel: 805 961396
E-mail: intlprog@xlrn.ucsb.edu
Website at: www.ip.ucsb.edu

Author: Fatmanur Erdogan, Manager, International Programs, University of California, Santa Barbara

This article first appeared in TransWorld Education