Professional certification program helps deepen professional connections  

Continued education provides credit professionals of all experience levels with a wide range of benefits. Whether you are looking to deepen your understanding of a niche area of credit or looking to polish the essential skills you use daily, earning a designation through NACM’s Professional Certification Programs will help you accomplish just that.  

For Ken Stanton, CBA, director of credit at Elevate Textiles, Inc. (Charlotte, NC), earning his Credit Business Associate (CBA) designation was an opportunity to push himself while further immersing himself in the essentials of credit. “It has been a while since I have challenged myself educationally,” Stanton said. “I felt like earning the CBA designation not only challenged me but also provided me with a sense of accomplishment in a field that I absolutely love being in.” 

Whether it’s been a few months or a few years since you’ve last been in a classroom, pursuing a designation can feel daunting, but it’s an opportunity to challenge yourself to engage more deeply with the field of credit and its many nuances. “The main challenge was getting myself back into the ‘learning and studying’ groove,” Stanton said. “The main successes for me were finding the discipline to make the time to study and following through with studying.” 

Pursuing a designation reflects a dedication to the field of credit, as the time taken to build and refine your skills will directly impact your day-to-day work in the intricate world of credit. A professional designation is also an opportunity to strengthen your relationships with your fellow credit professionals and the inspiring network of NACM members.  

“My personal favorite part of the experience was the collaboration with other students in the class,” Stanton said. “The most memorable moment would have to be the words of encouragement given to us by our instructor a few days before the exam.” 

📝Study tip: “You will be overwhelmed at times no matter how much you try not to be,” Stanton said. “The important thing to remember is that as with anything worth accomplishing, you’ll have to accomplish it in steps. One foot in front of the other until you’re there.”