Being a lover of learning I took a deep dive into all things CAP recently. The first step was to sign up and pay for the exam so that I do not have a choice but to succeed, especially since my employer paid for the membership, the exam, the study guide, and Marie Herman's study group...talk about fully committed! What have I done? I've been an administrative assistant of some type for 30 years. I've taken every Talent Development class my organization offers and Skillpath training before that. I'm 62 in July and there just is not any time left to think about it. Our organization does not offer any pay incentives, or increase for getting the certification. I have an amazing supervisor that supports and encourages me at every turn, so a "good job" from her is plenty. Going deeper still though, I had a coworker that was the membership coordinator for the local iaap group. This dear friend talked me in to joining and together we attended the local conferences and workshops. We both intended to take the study group and the CAP exam together, however this past September she had a massive stroke and passed away. I'm doing this for me, to prove to myself that I can. I'm doing this for my children and my husband so that they can still say they have a smart and accomplished mom and a rockin' wife, and I'm doing this in memory of Peggy. My goal is to be a highly skilled employee, a professional assistant, a knowledgeable mentor to my team and peers, and to have CAP behind my signature! Prayers appreciated!

Best of luck in your certification journey

Best wishes on your CAP certification journey.

Good Luck in this new journey.

Mrs. Patton, I am sorry for the loss of your friend and coworker.
I am also so excited for you on this journey. It is very rewarding.

I am sorry to hear about your loss. I am excited for you on the CAP journey. May your reasons for doing the CAP keep you motivated and focused until complete. I know you will enjoy Marie's study group. She is good.
Enoy the experience and continue to remind yourself that you got this.

I just took and passed the exam this spring and thoroughly enjoyed Marie's class. I am the only IAAP member in my organization and now the only CAP. After stewing over the decision to make the commitment, I am so glad that I did. The support of my peers and the validation of my skills and knowledge have been very motivating for me to look further and seek opportunities to move beyond my comfort zone. Good luck!

Congratulations on your accomplishment Anna!  I am nervous, but I have faith!  Thanks for rooting for me.  

I am so sorry that you lost your friend. Those kinds of life experiences definitely clarify our priorities for us and remind us of how fleeting our time is on this earth. We need to make the most of it!

I know that you will do this and make your friend proud. She's cheering you on from up above.

Let's go get you certified!

This has got to be in the top five of the most difficult accomplishments I’ve ever experienced in my life, and at age 62 that’s saying something. I made peace with the fact that I probably didn’t pass and was dreading looking at all those flashcards again. Praise the Lord…HE is able and I passed. I dedicate my certification to Peggy Smith, a colleague that was suppose to study and test with me; we should be celebrating together, however she passed away a year ago this past September. Thank you Marie Herman for the “tough love” and the massive abundance of knowledge and information that you so skillfully shared with us. I would never have passed without this class.