Six Sigma: Did I really want it THAT bad??

[TownDawg]

I get this email from the wife. Hey, "I really wish you had your six sigma " she says. I hate skool. (lol). Here's the plan though. Pick a good class in a nice town (preferably tourist/resort/vacation spot), and just take wife and go take it, paying for it out of my own pocket. An investment in the future -- so to speak. FAQs include:

1) Why are you paying for it out of your own pocket?
I'm a contract employee, self-employed more or less. I don't have a big corporate suga-daddy to go talk into sending me for the company's benefit.

2) Why does she wish you had your six sigma?
Again, I'm a contract employee, self-employed more or less. She keeps noticing how marketable the six-sigma talent seems to be with the recruiters and internet want ads.

3) Why haven't you found time to get it long ago?
Never really was a fan of six-sigma actually. looked an awful lot like another shingle to hang with your CQMs, and long list of certifications. 'Sides, I've worked in a few places where the six-sigma guy was a joke -- driven more by political end rather than a true love for continual improvement.

4) Why did you post this junk on our forum this morning, can't you see we are trying to get all sorts of Covish knowledge?
Hey can't dance, might as well try to make your life miserable. Truthfully, I'm thinking either here publically (I don't want to break any of the Admin's rules though regarding "advertising") or using a private message back to me -- I might get an answer regarding your favorite teaching group/agency/organization so I can start seeing who is offering what, where, and when. Also, a simpler note: If this stuff really an "investment into my career future?" Or just another reason to be in skool. (Did I mention I hate skool??)

[Al Rosen]

I can tell you hate skool (sic).

[TownDawg]

* laughs *

Not quite the answer i wanted, Al.

[Carl Keller]

Sounds like perfectly sound reasoning to me.

Ya know, there are a few SS skools out there that give you a black belt in 5 days or so.

A lot less expensive and more time to enjoy Mickey Mouse. Go for it.

Carl-

[Wes Bucey]

If you are serious about getting a Six Sigma sheepskin (all nice and wooly to go with the thinking behind the effort), may I suggest you explore a nearby ASQ Section to see if it offers classes?

Here are the advantages:

1. Courses are typically run by "real-world" professionals, not hacks following someone else's textbook only two pages ahead of you.
2. These same professionals and classmates will help you work on a "project" in addition to the "book larning"
3. The price is usually VERY affordable
4. The pace is leisurely (about 1 three-hour session per week for a number of weeks before each ASQ test offering for ASQ Six Sigma Black Belt)
5. The classmates and instructors will continue as your mentors and "resource pool" long after the class is done.
6. With luck, you can take the opportunity to "give something back" to the Quality community by becoming an instructor once you start earning bigger bucks as a SSBB.

Downsides:

1. It takes time.
2. It takes effort.
3. You can't just "buy" the certificate, you have to "earn" it.