Not only is this benefit apparent to individuals, continuing education is almost universally recognized by federal and state agencies, professional groups and other such organizations as valuable to maintain a high degree of expertise and awareness of leading issues and concerns.
As such, many agencies and groups have set education requirements in order for natural resource professionals to achieve or maintain professional certification standards in their particular field. Organizations also often stipulate as a condition of employment that employees seek and retain certification standards that require continuing education.
In the forestry sector for instance, graduation from a Society of American Foresters (SAF) approved academic program is nearly the standard qualification for employment. Many employers also have an additional employment condition that staff maintain certification as a Consulting Forester (CF), an SAF standard that requires continuing education.
Besides as a qualification for outright employment, professional certification standards are used by many federal and state agencies in contractor specifications. These specifications often require that oversight of work to be conducted by certified individuals.
The reader may now be well convinced that continuing education is a valuable and necessary component of their professional life. Listed below are some suggestions that may help you to consider the options available in continuing education:
- Many state agencies offer trainings to certify individuals as eligible state contractors or for state-administered professional standards. States often have a yearly schedule of such trainings or contact information for persons who organize trainings posted on their website.
- Know the important professional groups and certifications in your field. Requirements for certifications vary widely between groups and differente fields in the natural resources profession. Again, the web is your best source of information for information on certifications and certification requirements.
- In order to meet the continuing education required by many professional certifications, seek out professional conferences, field days, and other opportunities available through the professional societies who administer the relevant certification. Not only do these opportunities help you to meet certification requirements, but they may assist in the growth of your professional network, expertise, and breadth of knowledge.
