Greetings from your Certification team!
The submission windows for CHSE-A, CHSOS-A, and the Academy of Fellows recently closed on September 1.
Since the closing date, I have heard some discussion from candidates, perspective candidates, and mentors who relate feelings along the lines of “I don’t think this is for me, I don’t excel in elements A, B, and E.” While it is easy to fall into the trap of believing you must be an absolute expert in every single domain to succeed, I want to assure you that is not the reality.
While comprehensive knowledge is always beneficial, it is rarely a requirement to "knock every element out of the park" to achieve certification. SSH Certification programs are designed to assess competency across a breadth of topics, not perfection in each granular detail.
The core purpose of any professional certification, even advanced credentials, is to validate that an individual possesses the minimum necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to perform a specific job role competently and safely. It's about demonstrating proficiency and readiness, not exhaustive mastery.
Think of it like driving a car. You need to demonstrate that you can safely and effectively operate a vehicle to achieve your license. You don't need to be The Stig, deftly maneuvering a brick of a Ford Pinto to achieve record times on an F1 course. Similarly, certification aims to confirm you're a safe and effective "driver" in your profession.
It is also important to apply this frame of thinking to sections requiring a narrative response.
Strategically Frame Your Response
The questions asked in the narrative sections of your application are designed to allow the candidate every opportunity to discuss their knowledge, skills, and abilities. Reviewers expect there may be sections that are not as robust as others. When crafting narrative responses, the key is to strategically frame your knowledge and experiences to showcase your strengths, even when discussing a weaker area. Instead of dwelling on what you lack, focus on demonstrating your aptitude, commitment to learning, and potential.
Every narrative prompt requires a response, so it can be stressful when you want to just avoid these gaps. To help minimize this stress, focus instead on how you've addressed this gap or plan to address it. This shows self-awareness and a proactive mindset, which are highly valued. You can also try connecting a weak area to a core strength. Draw a direct line between the area you're discussing and a domain where you excel. This shows that your skills are interconnected and that your strengths can compensate for a lack of experience.
Earning any professional certification or Fellowship award is a testament to your commitment and competence, and while it is a standard of excellence, it is not a declaration of perfection. Remember, the goal is to demonstrate your unique set of knowledge, skills, and abilities, not to achieve an unrealistic standard of knowing absolutely everything about absolutely everything.
If you are interested in the advanced credentials or applying to the SSH Academy of Fellows, please find more information on our website. The next deadline for CHSE-A and CHSOS-A submissions is March 1st. Fellows nominations open every year in the fall.
As always, until next time, be excellent to each other.
(Hi, Mom!)
Rachel Araujo
SSH Director of Certification