Certification

My Road to Certification

Shortly after I joined QP in early 2001, all ASQ staff were invited to sit for the new certified quality improvement associate (CQIA) exam. (Read about the certification on p. 24.) This is just one of many learning opportunities for staff. Because many of us come in without a background in quality--we're hired for skills and experience applicable to our positions, then work closely with volunteer members--we receive plenty of training.

First, each new employee has a daylong orientation, complete with lots of food. (Food is a popular motivator here.) Plus, all staff must pass the Quality 101 self-directed learning course within their first six months--no food involved, but this and the orientation are steps in preparing for the CQIA.

Though editing QP had helped me absorb many basic concepts my first few months here, I didn't think I knew enough yet to take the CQIA exam. Procrastinating as usual, I hadn't even cracked open Quality 101.

One of my staff, editorial assistant Corinne Johnson, took and passed the test. Proud and inspired, I vowed to take it the next time it was offered.

That came six months later. Assistant editor Kristen Johnson signed up, too. We peppered Corinne with questions on studying. One thing she believed helped was taking vacation the day before the exam to prepare (OK, cram), so we both requested the day off.

When I began to look up topics from the CQIA body of knowledge, I discovered the references I'd grabbed from the office didn't cover everything. After performing a gap analysis--though I didn't realize that's what I was doing--I was frustrated. Juran's Quality Control Handbook is one of the best books on quality ever written, but have you tried to lug it around?

Arriving at the office on exam day, I grew concerned. There was no food. I felt rushed, having realized halfway there I had forgotten my employee access card. (Most Saturdays the only security clearance I need is for my preteen son's room.) And everyone else had references I didn't.

I found I knew some answers or where to find them; for others I was able to make an educated guess or lucked upon them in one of my books (thank you, Dr. Juran). A few questions were a complete shot in the dark. Compared with my daughter's birthday party later that day, the test seemed a breeze, but I was still worried.

To my relief, I passed, as did Kristen and 10 other staff. Since the exam's  January 2001 pilot, nearly 30 ASQ staff have received CQIA certification, at a 90+% pass rate. (Several more have signed up for the next sitting, June 1.) I feel lucky and honored to be part of this group and learned a great deal from my experience--including how not to prepare.

For the right way, turn to p. 33.

Debbie Phillips-Donaldson
Editor