I work part time for a non profit. Recently I've been thinking about getting certified which would mean taking 9 courses (total $3000) plus $1000 for two exams,

plus $500 a year to keep certified!?!?!

Is this a normal amount for professional fees? It seems a bit high. Presumably most employers would cover this but in my case (the non profit thing), I would have to pay this yearly amount myself (although I could 'claim' the amount meaning I wouldn't have to pay tax on that $500.)

Now I don't know what to do. I have a dream of being 'certified'. I'd love the challenge of a course a semester (part time school) but those are some heavy fees to consider.

But, if I ever do decide to leave this present job and move to profit (in 5 years from now) this certification (and the experience I'm getting now) might just give me the job of my dreams.

What should I do? Would you pay the money?

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If I were you and I could afford the classes, I would go for it. Especially since it sounds like it could lead to a better paying job after you gain some experience in the position. Becoming better qualified in the job market is its own form of financial security.

That must be one heck of a certification. I became a certified project manager, and the fees to join PMI & take the test cost maybe $500 at most. It's something like $40 to maintain the membership and in order to maintain the certification I have to earn a certain number of "credits" every 3 years. They can be from taking classes, taking online classes at work, reading books, volunteering, going to dinner meetings/seminars thru the organization. Those just cost whatever they cost - no set fee & some might be free (like the online stuff). I do deduct the membership fee every year from my taxes. If you're lookihng at it as a long-term investment in your future, divide the cost by the number of years & see if it's worthwhile in terms of a "average".

I agree!!

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I've grown certain that the root of all fear is that we've been forced to deny who we are. ~ Frances Moore Lappe

If you're planning on leaving the current job for 5 years or more, I'd wait. Your current employer doesn't require it. It won't mean any more money for you. It might not be fully deductible (check your taxes to be sure). And a lot can change in 5 years.

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"I've been rich and I've been poor but independently wealthy is where it is at."

Aren't you thinking of changing your career to fulfill your passion? (I remember that from another post.)

If that is the case, I would not pay it. I would take this as a sign to move on.

If this is something you want to advance in, then I would do it, but it does seem high. Is that in Canadian dollars maybe? JMO

No, this wouldn't be a change of careers but more of a specializing in the part of my current career that interests me. As well it's hard here to jump from non-profit to profit so I would have to get the certification in order to get a job in the profit sector which is where I would eventually like to be in 5 years time. In the meantime I am happy to keep working this job but would like to train part time for the future. The reason I am thinking 5 years is so that I can be there for the kids after school during the time where they still need me. After that my dh will have more flexibility to do some hours from home during those after school hours and the kids will be older in case there is a conflict.

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Well, then, I would do it, Kathryn!

Would it be possible to just take the classes for now and then take the tests and start paying for the certification at the end of the five years? Or do you have to pay the certification to take the classes?

Good question.

I don't have to pay for the certification until I've taken all the classes, but there is no point taking the classes if I'm not going to pay for the yearly certification, if you know what I mean.

Sometimes I can get ahead of myself so I have dh (the logical serious one) looking over the details of of the program today and he is going to give me his opinion.

I love all your opinions too. It helps me to think it through.

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