Career path advice and questions - Quality Controller/Assurance Specialist

[fengmichele]

Since this forum is general educational related...I would like to ask a few questions in relevance to the professional field of Quality Assurance. Feedback from current students/Instructors are very much encouraged, so please take a moment to help me some:

(1) I realize that there are various specialty areas that students may proceed with after they obtain certificates/professional designation: (e.g. amongst many others, there are mainly textile/manufacturing, healthcare/pharmaceutical, Food/beverage, Computers/IT...etc.) I was just wondering if anybody can suggest which one of these areas of concentration is the most common sought after route that graduates take in pursuit of their professional career in Quality Control. I know that this maybe an individual thingy, but in terms of labour market and/or present/future labour outlook within this field, what's hot right now?

(2) For people looking for a career transition, how do they start with this career direction? Are there courses offered for this professional designation? If yes, what/how long does it take to complete?

(3) Are there any resouces available (online/hardcopy) to get more familiar with this profession? What would you recommend?

Thanks very much for your time. Regards.

[Coury Ferguson]

Originally Posted by fengmichele

Since this forum is general educational related...I would like to ask a few questions in relevance to the professional field of Quality Assurance. Feedback from current students/Instructors are very much encouraged, so please take a moment to help me some:

(1) I realize that there are various specialty areas that students may proceed with after they obtain certificates/professional designation: (e.g. amongst many others, there are mainly textile/manufacturing, healthcare/pharmaceutical, Food/beverage, Computers/IT...etc.) I was just wondering if anybody can suggest which one of these areas of concentration is the most common sought after route that graduates take in pursuit of their professional career in Quality Control. I know that this maybe an individual thingy, but in terms of labour market and/or present/future labour outlook within this field, what's hot right now?

The professional certifications can be sought through the ASQ at this website: http://www.asq.org

For a beginner in the Quality area I would suggest you look at the CQA or CQIA (Certified Quality Auditor) certification first. Second, I would suggest the CQE (Certified Quality Engineer). Now I am not a strong supporter of the Certifications offered by the ASQ, just because I feel that they help, but do not guarantee any position in a company. The knowledge would definitely help. You may also want to consider receiving Lean/Six Sigma training.

Also, consider continuing your education through college to learn the basic theories that are part of the quality area.

Originally Posted by fengmichele

(2) For people looking for a career transition, how do they start with this career direction? Are there courses offered for this professional designation? If yes, what/how long does it take to complete?

I have been in the Quality area for over 20 Years and I started this trek working for the Federal Government as a Quality Assurance Representative, which I considered as an internship. There are some companies that would take a person for an internship which would be the starting point in a Career in Quality.

Originally Posted by fengmichele

(3) Are there any resouces available (online/hardcopy) to get more familiar with this profession? What would you recommend?

This is one place (Elsmar Cove) that you can get information and resources available. The ASQ Discussion Boards at this website is another source:

(http://www.asq.org/discussionBoards/index.jspa)

Originally Posted by fengmichele

Thanks very much for your time. Regards.

Welcome to the cove.

[Jennifer Kirley]

Great advice from Coury.

You're right that some industry specialty is needed.

That makes transitioning to a new industry an effort-packed process. For example, with a long history in manufacturing quality, I would not be invited to work as a quality practitioner in medical. I've invariably seen a requirement for Bachelor's in Nursing and/or RN license.

That said, it's not terribly hard to move into quality within a field. I suggest starting with the ASQ's CQIA. It's a good starting point for topics and disciplines that can be applied to all manner of industries.

To gather knowledge from there, ASQ has been cranking out industry specific certification programs, such as in software.

Now I agree with Coury that the certification is not a ticket to employment. However, even if the employer has no clue about the certs, preparing for the exams can provide a structured learning project that can make all the difference in ability to work. It's all about the journey.

While studying for the CQIA exams, a person can be thinking how the subjects would be applied to their chosen industry and/or how the learnings could have helped solve past problems they've encountered.

Since quality management involves some disciplines that don't usually come naturally and are not commonly available through formal education, I recommend CQIA to most anyone who wants to take an active role in helping their organization solve its problems.

[fengmichele]

Thanks Coury and Jennifer for all of your input! They are really helpful. However I still have a few questions:

(1) What's the major difference between CQA and CQIA? Is CQIA a pre-requisite for CQA and also is it designed for a person with absolutely no background knowledge in Quality Assurance?

(2) As Coury had mentioned previously, becoming certified does not necessarily guarantee employment (everyone is different when it comes to his/her educational/work experience background. There are also Employer hiring specifics/regulations that make hiring more complex even if you possess a certification affiliated with a regulatory body). So, is it better to first do the certification before getting hired, or study for the certification while working full time? (I am currently unemployed, but have a B.Sc. in Life Science. I also have a couple of years of work experience with mostly hospitals/non-profit health organizations, but am looking to change career). How would I get myself started on quality assurance field?

(3) I’ve briefly looked at the ASQ website, on it for the CQIA certification to qualify to write the certification, one must have an associate degree or couple of years of work experience (I have that). However, my question is that what is the instruction delivery mode for CQIA certification? Is it mostly like distance education modules you do in your free time? (hard-copy or online?). How much does it cost to start up on a CQIA certification?

(4) ASQ is American and I live in Canada. Even though I am not really familiar with ASQ, but I am quite certain that Q/A Canadian institutions follow that of American’s. Is ASQ the “IT” governing body for Quality Assurance, or do you know if Canada has its own?

Thanks in advance.

[BradM]

Hello!

Some of us who are a little older truly understand your position. My suggestion would be to first spend some time in this forum:

The Elsmar Cove Discussion Forums > Professional Employment and Occupation Related
Seeking Employment - Resumes, Interviews and Qualifications

I can truly say I wished I had access to this information when I started off.

1. One of the most important things for you to focus on now is your professionalism and image. Getting a good resume and handling yourself like a professional is a must. For young and old, interviews are hard to come by. Make the best of each one of them.

2. Most of the certifications require a certain amount of experience in that field before obtaining the certification. However.... it is excellent experience studying for the exam. Too, it will give you a feel of what those jobs entail.

3. Find a quality organization around you and see if you can volunteer for something. See if any of them have intern positions. Talk to some of your professors where you got your degree, and see if they have some ideas.

Hopefully, you can land yourself a job in an area that interest you. Then, you can begin to improve your professional status by certifications, advanced education, etc. If you do it right, you can probably get your employer to subsidize your education. Even if they don't, you can then achieve the certification along with the practical experience.

That should help you get the job you want.

[Coury Ferguson]

Originally Posted by fengmichele

Thanks Coury and Jennifer for all of your input! They are really helpful. However I still have a few questions:

(1) What's the major difference between CQA and CQIA? Is CQIA a pre-requisite for CQA and also is it designed for a person with absolutely no background knowledge in Quality Assurance?

(2) As Coury had mentioned previously, becoming certified does not necessarily guarantee employment (everyone is different when it comes to his/her educational/work experience background. There are also Employer hiring specifics/regulations that make hiring more complex even if you possess a certification affiliated with a regulatory body). So, is it better to first do the certification before getting hired, or study for the certification while working full time? (I am currently unemployed, but have a B.Sc. in Life Science. I also have a couple of years of work experience with mostly hospitals/non-profit health organizations, but am looking to change career). How would I get myself started on quality assurance field?

(3) I’ve briefly looked at the ASQ website, on it for the CQIA certification to qualify to write the certification, one must have an associate degree or couple of years of work experience (I have that). However, my question is that what is the instruction delivery mode for CQIA certification? Is it mostly like distance education modules you do in your free time? (hard-copy or online?). How much does it cost to start up on a CQIA certification?

(4) ASQ is American and I live in Canada. Even though I am not really familiar with ASQ, but I am quite certain that Q/A Canadian institutions follow that of American’s. Is ASQ the “IT” governing body for Quality Assurance, or do you know if Canada has its own?

Thanks in advace.

I was wrong it is the CQIA (Certified Quality Internal Auditor) not the CQA, my mistake.

I believe that Canada has a similar organization, but I am not that familiar with Canada. Even though the ASQ is US Based, it does have membership from all over the world.

The instruction material that you are inquiring about is available for purchase as a Primer from the ASQ (I believe I have seen it mentioned in the Elsmar Cove in the Buy/sell forum). You may also want to consider taking some classes from the ASQ that are offered.

As for starting your career, as I suggested earlier, look at internships within an organization. I may also suggest that you look at maybe getting a work permit for a six month term and possibly look at trying some of the companies in the USA.

Since you already have a college education, consider looking at a second degree/major in Quality, if available in Canada.

I hope this information has helped, but continue asking questions here as they may arise.

Also see this link: http://elsmar.com/Forums/showthread....509#post188509

[Jennifer Kirley]

Please excuse me, but CQIA is Certified Quality Improvement Associate. You can read about it at this site.

The exams are available in locations outside the U.S. See Canadian ASQ chapter locations in here.

It's possible to find classes through the ASQ chapters--maybe there's one near you. However, I'd vouch that most of us do self study to prepare. Review the site I linked for a list of books that the test questions came from.

I advise only using four or five, max, to study with. I would bring no more than three to exam, which is open book I understand. So you'd want to bring
good general references and maybe one reference that is specific to an area you need most help with. (For me, that is statistics for the CQE).

Some sites, like this one, offer exam preparatory materials, including CDs with practice questions. I am not affiliated with Quality Council. I actually prefer the materials from this source, again no affiliation.

CQIA is an introductory level cert. Others, like CQE, carry more clout but they can be very technical. A person should walk before running.

I hope this helps!

[Coury Ferguson]

Originally Posted by Jennifer Kirley

Please excuse me, but CQIA is Certified Quality Improvement Associate. You can read about it at this site.

My mistake again. Sorry