First, you should ask yourself what you hope to get out of your six sigma courses and six sigma certifications. This will have a big impact on what the requirements for certification are in your area. For example, if you are interested in getting into an industrial manufacturing setting, then you might have a different set of requirements than the person wanting certification in a more retail setting. Your objectives for your career really are important and they should guide your decision about which six sigma courses to take.
Second, you should consider whether you even need to get your six sigma certification. Many companies, even those that have been using Six Sigma for years, choose not to bother because they believe that it is not necessary for them. On the other hand, some business owners see it as an investment in their company’s future success. The former may be right, but if your goals are not aligned with the goals of the company, then you may not be getting the most from your six sigma courses.
Third, you should take a hard look at whether you actually need the six sigma courses in the first place. Even if your company already has an in-house Six Sigma team, you might find that you are capable of handling the job without additional training. It is possible to do so, especially if your job duties involve running a process or improving processes that already use Six Sigma. But if your company needs you to train on the newest techniques, then you do not need a six sigma certification in order to perform your job.
Fourth, you should think about whether getting a six sigma certification is worth the effort. There is no easy way to evaluate this. After all, the certification only really becomes useful after you have been certified. Most companies do not require employees to get six sigma certification before they are hired. Those who do have a reason to think about it, though, should do so only after all else has been tried.
Fifth, you should ask yourself what your motivation is for taking the six sigma courses. Is it simply because you are interested in improving your career prospects? Or do you think that the money that will be made by using Six Sigma can be better spent elsewhere? This is a question that only you can answer, but it is one that you must ask yourself before you begin the process of obtaining a six sigma certification.
Sixth, do not forget to think about how much time you have available to study. If you have a full-time job and family to take care of before you have a chance to learn properly, you might want to look at taking a course over the summer rather than a winter break. If you have some free time between other obligations, though, you may want to look at online six sigma courses as well. They allow you to set your own schedule and to work at your own pace. You should consider whether it would be better for you to take a course during your vacation or on a weekend.
Seven, when you are looking at which six sigma certification to get, try to find something that you can actually use in your current job. There is no point in taking a course that will only help you understand the process better, if you are not planning to put those concepts into practice. By getting the most valuable course possible, you will end up with a certification that will help you get the most out of your job!