Certification and general career path

[Toolbox]

Hi guys,

I've read discussions on this forum for a few weeks and find the people here quite realistic and helpful. Anyways, I am a relatively new regional Quality Engineer for a large manufacturing company (3000+ employees, 10 facilities) with a Masters in Chemical Engineering. We are not ISO-fied primarily because upper management does not buy into ISO at all. Instead we have a homegrown quality management system that has essentially picked concepts that suit are needs best. My position allows me to interact directly with plant managers over the world and work on closing quality gaps, in some cases it requires butt kicking, for lack of a better word

the point..., being directly involved in manufacturing, QC, product development and launch, logistics and every other facet of this business, I am trying to evaluate the worth of a certification like CQE. It feels like I'm being groomed for other things down the line, but for now CQE seems like a nice step stone. However with upper management not buying into ISO/SS, etc. is that really going to help me? Or should I just focus on maximizing on the exposure and visibility I am getting now for lateral movement later?

btw, this forum rocks.

[WALLACE]

Welcome to the Cove Toolbox.

Originally Posted by Toolbox

should I just focus on maximizing on the exposure and visibility I am getting now for lateral movement later?

There's absolutely no harm in you pursuing a continuous education and certification to a globaly acceptable body of knowledge. Go for it, "nothing ventured, nothing gained".
Wallace

[Bill Pflanz]

Originally Posted by Toolbox

I am trying to evaluate the worth of a certification like CQE. It feels like I'm being groomed for other things down the line, but for now CQE seems like a nice step stone. However with upper management not buying into ISO/SS, etc. is that really going to help me? Or should I just focus on maximizing on the exposure and visibility I am getting now for lateral movement later?

btw, this forum rocks.

Welcome Toolbox. The Cove is the place to go for good quality advice and recommendations.

Although you did not say but since you are a Chem E, I am assuming you work in the chemical industry. If so, it surprises me that you work for a 3000+ employee company with 10 plants and internationally but have an upper management that does not buy into ISO. The chemical industry has been involved with ISO almost from the beginning and most customers expect the registration. I would be interested in hearing why and how they do not do ISO.

As you visit the Cove more frequently, you will find that most active participants have chosen quality as a career. They are very passionate about quality. There are many frustrations and it is definitely not an easy path to glory and riches. Getting "exposure and visibility" while in the quality arena is a two edged sword. As you get more involved with the business management concepts related to implementing the quality philosophies, you may find yourself at odds with senior management especially considering your comments about butt kicking. A home grown quality process may be at odds with some of the quality concepts that you will learn.

The CQE exam is a more technical and statistical certification than the Certified Quality Manager exam. You may want to also look at its body of knowledge. If you want to be certified as a quality manager, I believe it requires 10 years of quality management experience. The only reason that I suggested it is that it would require an in-depth study of quality management theory that would be valuable for you to know before you make a decision on staying in quality or even how it can help in a career path. Of course, if you learn good quality concepts, move up the ladder and then use the theory when you are a CEO, there are plenty of quality professionals that would want to work for you.

Just preparing for any of the ASQ exams will broaden your quality knowledge regardless of whether you get certified.

Bill Pflanz
BS Chemical Engineering
University of Cincinnati

[Toolbox]

Well even though I am a chemical engineer by education, I am not in the chemical industry. We manufacture engineered materials for the housing sector, relatively high volume. So that explains why we are not ISO-fied yet. The homegrown system is interesting in that it doesnt follow one philosophy or methodology entirely, but uses a lot of good quality concepts out there, tailored to what we think would work best in this industry. hehe so withouth pissing upper management off, there may are be good ISO concepts being used, just not advertised .

But you are right, quality is a tough role, partly because it is seen by most ppl to be so ambiguous and vague. Once you start talking about quality by design and stuff, theres no limit to the avenues of involvement for quality professionals. But yeah, even though I've only finished grad school less than a year ago, I think I will pursue the CQE for its educational value more than anything else.

How long did it take ppl to complete preparations? for instance if i started now, would there be enough time to cover the material for the December exam? I know it will depend on schedules, etc. but would still be interested to know. thanks guyss...

[Bill Pflanz]

Originally Posted by Toolbox

I think I will pursue the CQE for its educational value more than anything else. How long did it take ppl to complete preparations? for instance if i started now, would there be enough time to cover the material for the December exam? I know it will depend on schedules, etc. but would still be interested to know. thanks guyss...

Toolbox,

Visit the ASQ website for the information on applying for the exam, the body of knowledge, study materials etc. Generally you work back from the exam date to prepare. For the CQE:

December 4 Exam Date
October 1 Application Deadline
September 15 Complete application and begin studying

The above time schedule gives you about 10 weeks to prepare. The general rule of thumb is 80-100 hours study time. Some go to a refresher class also. If you decide to get refresher training contact your local ASQ section. The time can be reduced based on education and experience but I would assume the full time just because of the large BOK and what you are saying about your current quality efforts.

I have heard good words about the Quality Council of Indiana primers which provide a good reference for studying and lots of practice questions. If you do a search in the Cove for ASQ exams, I believe you will find plenty of advice on how to study. If not, feel free to ask again.

We chemical engineers end up in strange occupations. I am currently in banking and am not even unique here. I know of at least 4 or 5 others. They seem to like us for our process thinking.

Good luck and keep us informed.

Bill Pflanz

[ralphsulser]

Toolbox
I can give you info on how I prepard for the CQE Dec. exam date.
I attended an intensive week long refreshercourse by Stat-A-Matrix at the end of Oct. Then studied on my own all through Nov. by reviewing materials, and giving myself pervious exams,, and toward the end enlisting my wife to ask me questions. I probably put in over 100 hours all together. I was told that 50% fail the exam the first time, and I wanted to make sure I passed.
The site for the exam in Canton, Oh was a school building which had the heat turned down for the weekend. The exam was on Saturday morning. I sat there answering questions, and my hands under my arm pits while reading the questions. I did pass and was glad to do it.

[Govind]

I came across with this article recently. Thought will be informative for Cove Members who are interested in Software Certifications and its benefits.

Certification - a win win investment for employers and employees.


http://software.asqquality.org/Docum...all02%20SD.pdf

Govind.