CQE or CQA - Which one is better in terms of career progress

A

armaan

#1
Hello All,

Again asking for help, i finished my bachelor of mechanical engineering and master in industrial engineering.

Presently i am working in quality field, succesfully implemented ISO 9001:2000, also completed course of lead auditor...

Now would like to move forward in my career and wants to achieve one certification from ASQ....which one is better in terms of career progress CQE or CQA..

Thanks for your suggestion.
 
Elsmar Forum Sponsor
K

Kevin H

#2
Re: CQE or CQA - Which one is better in terms of career progress CQE or CQA

Armaan, from your description of your career to date I have the impression that you're near the beginning of your career. My personal opinion is that the CQE would probably open more doors than the CQA. From all I've heard, it's a harder test. (I've taken the CQA and Mgr. of Quality/Org. Exc. tests and have passed both.) Every time I've started to prep for the CQE, life has gotten in the way :rolleyes: The only caveat would be if you want to concentrate on auditing as a career path. If you do, then the CQA would be a better step. If you already have an ISO 9001 lead auditor certificate from RABQMS, then the CQA becomes a bit superflous. If your auditing course is for internal auditing, then CQA and then ISO 9001 lead auditor (or whatever quality system is appropriate for you interests AS9100, ISO 13485, etc,) would be more appropriate.

Good luck on your decision and career.
 

ScottK

Not out of the crisis
Staff member
Super Moderator
#3
Re: CQE or CQA - Which one is better in terms of career progress CQE or CQA

Either one can lead to management so as far as that it really doesn't matter. I passed both the CQA and CQE. CQE was way harder.
Why not do both? I've held jobs where I've been QA Manager/Engineer/Auditor so they are complimentary.

If you can only take one, o the surface the CQE is more "impressive" as it's a harder test.
Plus, if the lead auditor course will lead to RABQSA certification the ASQ cert may be redundant.

If you plan on doing both, I'd recommend CQA first to get the feel of the was ASQ exams work. It should be a cakewalk for someone who participated or led and ISO9000 implementation.
 
R

ralphsulser

#4
Re: CQE or CQA - Which one is better in terms of career progress CQE or CQA

Take the CQE to augment the engineering degrees you already have achieved. With these you will be able to go anywhere and name your own salary and your on your way to senior management. Of course you have to get along with people and accomplish something. I don't mean this as any negative reflection on you, but I once worked with a guy who got his MBA from Fordham and then he thought all he had to do was boss people around because they were inferior to him. Maybe that was why he was 34 years old and still lived at home with his parents.
 
A

armaan

#5
Re: CQE or CQA - Which one is better in terms of career progress CQE or CQA

Thank you very much to all of you, I am bit confused as first answer says CQE, then CQA and one say do both.......

But i hope that through this discussion i will find my way, i will go for both exam but which one i have to do first, i also know that CQE is hard, by the way i also passed CQIA.

Once again thank you to all of you ..
 

Govind

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
#6
Re: CQE or CQA - Which one is better in terms of career progress CQE or CQA

Hello All, Again asking for help, i finished my bachelor of mechanical engineering and master in industrial engineering. Presently i am working in quality field, succesfully implemented ISO 9001:2000, also completed course of lead auditor...Now would like to move forward in my career and wants to achieve one certification from ASQ....which one is better in terms of career progress CQE or CQA..Thanks for your suggestion.
From the initial post I understand that you should be in the beginning of your career.
The good news is that you are already thinking about career progression by exploring certification in quality field. I have known only a very few who have this kind of aggression. Not so good news is that you may not be eligible yet to sit in either of the exam. Even with Master’s degree you will still need 3 years of experience covering the BOK and Decision making position.
http://www.asq.org/certification/quality-engineer/right-for-you.html
http://www.asq.org/certification/quality-auditor/right-for-you.html

If you did not qualify for either of those exams, you have 2 choices:
Quality Process Analyst Certification and/or Quality Improvement Associate Certification – CQIA. For these certifications, the experience is fully waived based on your education background. I would have recommended CQPA for your background rather than CQIA. Preparing and passing this exam will give you adequate foundation when you plan to write CQE later once you are eligible. Given that you already have lead assessor training/certification, CQA will be a good addition to enhance your knowledge on Audit Management. However CQE is is a better choice for career progression (for your situation).
Regards,
Govind.
 
A

armaan

#7
Re: CQE or CQA - Which one is better in terms of career progress CQE or CQA

From the initial post I understand that you should be in the beginning of your career.
The good news is that you are already thinking about career progression by exploring certification in quality field. I have known only a very few who have this kind of aggression. Not so good news is that you may not be eligible yet to sit in either of the exam. Even with Master’s degree you will still need 3 years of experience covering the BOK and Decision making position.
http://www.asq.org/certification/quality-engineer/right-for-you.html
http://www.asq.org/certification/quality-auditor/right-for-you.html

If you did not qualify for either of those exams, you have 2 choices:
Quality Process Analyst Certification and/or Quality Improvement Associate Certification – CQIA. For these certifications, the experience is fully waived based on your education background. I would have recommended CQPA for your background rather than CQIA. Preparing and passing this exam will give you adequate foundation when you plan to write CQE later once you are eligible. Given that you already have lead assessor training/certification, CQA will be a good addition to enhance your knowledge on Audit Management. However CQE is is a better choice for career progression (for your situation).
Regards,
Govind.
Thank You Govind,

Just to let you know that i already passed CQIA and also have 3 years of workhome from back, so i am eligible for both of the exam. So what do you think CQE or CQA.

Thanks Again
 
F

fireonce

#8
Re: CQE or CQA - Which one is better in terms of career progress CQE or CQA

I think it depends your interest.
 
A

armaan

#9
Re: CQE or CQA - Which one is better in terms of career progress CQE or CQA

I think it depends your interest.
I understand that finally i have to take the decesion and i will take, but it always good to ask the opinion of some industry experts as they have lots of experience.
 

Jen Kirley

Quality and Auditing Expert
Staff member
Admin
#10
Re: CQE or CQA - Which one is better in terms of career progress CQE or CQA

Okay, here's your opinion from an industry expert (naw, just kidding--"expert" is rather a reach for me I guess).

The advice about suiting your interest is the best so far.

Here's the fact of it all: The roles of a quality engineer and quality auditor are often fundamentally different. Quality engineering is technically based, and auditing is largely people-oriented.

That said, both skills can help the other job's performance. People skills can help a quality engineer get things done because the people element is usually involved in some way. The engineering knowledge helps an auditor understand what he/she is looking at and how things could be improved.

I've had CQE and CQA certifications for several years (recently expired) and am presently auditing quality, environmental and safety systems. The technical aspect of engineering helps a great deal, but I think the people aspect of auditing makes the work more appealing than quality engineering would be.

It's hard to shine when you are not in the right line of work. I would find it hard to advance if I am not doing the work that's right for me, and thus perform well enough to get noticed and grow into management. You should decide what type of work would best suit you, so you can grow into the level you seek. It's not necessarily a logical decision; your emotions and temperament are more important than a linear-looking career path.
:2cents:
 
Last edited:
Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
M Differences in CQE, CSTE, CSQA, CQA Professional Certifications and Degrees 3
R CQE vs CQA vs CSSGB vs CWI Professional Certifications and Degrees 0
R CQE and CQA Training Books/Materials and related Quality Jobs Professional Certifications and Degrees 6
S ASQ Recertification Units (RUs) for my CQE,CQA Recertification Journal ASQ, ANAB, UKAS, IAF, IRCA, Exemplar Global and Related Organizations 9
B CQA vs. CQE - How tough is CQA test compared to CQE test? Professional Certifications and Degrees 18
kedarg6500 Difference in CQE (Certified Quality Engineer) & CQA (Certified Quality Auditor) Professional Certifications and Degrees 5
A What are the best CQE & CQA preparation books? Book, Video, Blog and Web Site Reviews and Recommendations 7
A Quality Council of Indiana - ASQ's CQE and CQA Certification exam materials Professional Certifications and Degrees 23
O ASQ CQE Exam Experience, Home versus Exam Center ASQ - American Society for Quality 0
R ANSI/ASQ Z1.4. for CQE Exam Professional Certifications and Degrees 8
Y ASQ CQE and CSSGB; What next? Career and Occupation Discussions 1
T ASQ CQE vs CMQ/OE Professional Certifications and Degrees 2
E CQE or SSGB for a new career Professional Certifications and Degrees 8
andika_untoro ASQ CQE Exam Group for Dec 2019 / Jan 2020 Preparation ASQ - American Society for Quality 18
S AQL Inspector's Rule - bring into CQE Exam? Professional Certifications and Degrees 5
W SSGB vs. CQE certification? Professional Certifications and Degrees 2
B I have CSBB Cert - CQE vs. CMQ/OE next? Professional Certifications and Degrees 4
O CQE Handbook - Missing Section VII - Risk Management Misc. Quality Assurance and Business Systems Related Topics 1
L CQE Quiz - Something I made up to make aspiring CQE's head hurt Training - Internal, External, Online and Distance Learning 1
J Sampling Plan Questions from the CQE Practice Exam Inspection, Prints (Drawings), Testing, Sampling and Related Topics 2
J CQE References allowed in the Exam Room Professional Certifications and Degrees 18
P CQE Work Experience - New to Industry Professional Certifications and Degrees 1
A CQE exam primer Control Limit question Statistical Analysis Tools, Techniques and SPC 2
P Do CQE exam questions repeat in next exams? Professional Certifications and Degrees 1
Q Question about 2012 ASQ CQE certification primer vs 2006 primer Professional Certifications and Degrees 2
D Have my CQE - Is it worth "backfilling" other Certifications Professional Certifications and Degrees 1
R CQE Exam Problem Statistical Analysis Tools, Techniques and SPC 9
H CQE Exam Review Volunteers Needed. Professional Certifications and Degrees 1
H ASQ CQE Exam Review Workshop - Seeking Volunteers! September 2013 ASQ, ANAB, UKAS, IAF, IRCA, Exemplar Global and Related Organizations 7
A ASQ CQE statistics training in Australia? Training - Internal, External, Online and Distance Learning 2
D Examples of CQE test questions for December 2012 exam Professional Certifications and Degrees 4
K CQE/SSGB Qualifications and Requirements Professional Certifications and Degrees 5
S CQE sample exam - Question 23 about a regression model Statistical Analysis Tools, Techniques and SPC 3
A Preparing for CQE Exam - Calculators and Statistical Calculations Professional Certifications and Degrees 4
A CQE Exam Machine Capability Question - HELP Capability, Accuracy and Stability - Processes, Machines, etc. 7
A How relevant are ASQC CQT, CQE, CMI Completion Diplomas in the Current Work Place Career and Occupation Discussions 9
M CQE Preparation - Classes offered by ASQ or QC Group Professional Certifications and Degrees 9
Q Which calculators can I take to CQE exam ? Professional Certifications and Degrees 8
I I failed my CQE Exam Professional Certifications and Degrees 21
R Passed CQE in the first attempt!! Coffee Break and Water Cooler Discussions 12
M DOE (Design of Experiments) - CQE Primer question Professional Certifications and Degrees 4
H Seeking Volunteers for ASQ CQE Exam Review Professional Certifications and Degrees 16
R ASQ CQE Practice Exam - Do I need to score very well to pass? Professional Certifications and Degrees 17
K Benefits of being an ASQ CQE (Certified Quality Engineer) Professional Certifications and Degrees 3
D Study Materials needed for CQE Exam Book, Video, Blog and Web Site Reviews and Recommendations 7
M X-Bar Chart - CQE Problem to Solve Statistical Analysis Tools, Techniques and SPC 3
M Best Preparation Material for the CQE in June Professional Certifications and Degrees 3
S CQE Primer or CQE handbook - Which one is better Professional Certifications and Degrees 20
S ASQ CQE (Certified Quality Engineer) June 2009 Results Professional Certifications and Degrees 11
CalRich I was given two copies of the CQE exam! Professional Certifications and Degrees 7

Similar threads

Top Bottom