Member Spotlight: For the Love of Credit

B2B trade credit professionals are not confined to any one set of responsibilities or one single role. It's a profession that branches out into multiple areas of work. Even for those who did not start out in the profession at the beginning of their career—credit has opened doors for new opportunities. Through NACM's Professional Certification Program, credit professionals have the tools they need to explore more about their passion and learn new skills.

Jay Coyle, Jr., CBA, CCRA, credit analyst at Carlisle Construction Materials, LLC (Carlisle, PA), started out in the printing industry and changed professions eight years ago to start working at his current company. "When an opportunity became available in the credit department, it interested me very much because my sister is a credit analyst and would share how much she enjoyed her career," Coyle said. "My director and manger have both been very supportive of gaining further education with NACM. The in-person courses were a great experience, and it was very interesting to meet other members working in different industry backgrounds!"

Though Coyle said the accounting course challenged him the most, earning his Certified Credit and Risk Analyst (CCRA) was worth the accomplishment. "It feels rewarding to earn designations because it is proof of how much knowledge has been gained in my career," he said. "It is my plan to hopefully start the process of working towards gaining my Certified Business Fellow (CBF) soon."

💡Study Tip: Try to use the study sheets and prep courses to prepare yourself for the designation exams. "Take the courses as close together as possible while the material is still fresh in your mind," Coyle said. "The in-person courses are informative and a quick way to achieve your designations."