I consider myself a lifelong learner. Years after graduating from high school and college, I’m still interested in learning more. 

I’ve worked at AAA Western and Central New York for almost 22 years. Its culture of learning, the generous tuition reimbursement policy, and the support of my managers have all been instrumental in my pursuit of knowledge. 

Certifications follow my career path 

When I started in the travel field, I quickly realized there was a lot more I needed to know. I earned two certifications from the Travel Institute: Certified Travel Associate (CTA) and Destinations Specialist (DS). As I began to sell more cruise vacations, I reinforced my skills with an Accredited Cruise Counselor Certification (ACC) from the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA). 

After a few years with AAA, there was an opening in the training department. A number of mentors and role models encouraged me, and I soon found myself facilitating classes—and enjoying every minute of it. Yet even then, I knew I could be better. 

I entered Toastmasters, an international organization dedicated to communication and leadership development. By preparing and delivering 10 speeches, I was able to receive the Competent Communicator (CC) award. I then earned my Competent Leader (CL) recognition by serving in various roles at my local meetings. 

At this point, I had five sets of letters after my name and I was feeling pretty confident in my role as a trainer. 

In 2010, my manager told me about the CPLP certification and asked if I’d be interested. I honestly knew nothing about it. I was only an on-again/off-again member with the Niagara Frontier Chapter of ASTD. My manager gave me some information about CPLP, and I said I’d consider it. 

I set the information aside for about a year before I approached my manager and said that I wanted to pursue it. That was in the fall of 2011. 

Along the CPLP journey

Fortunately, there was a class offered locally to prepare for the CPLP. The facilitator was Rebecca Boyle, a faculty member for Trocaire College, Canisius College, and Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations. Rebecca had written articles and blog posts for ATD (formerly ASTD) and had been active on the board of my local chapter. 

I was in a class with four other CPLP candidates. We met for two and a half hours one evening a week for eight weeks from late September to mid-November. Rebecca guided us through adult learning theory, Hermann’s brain-based approach, root-cause analysis, statistics, Lewin’s change model, and so much more. I was familiar with some of the material, but much of it was brand new to me, and all of it was fascinating. 

When the class was over, I wanted to take my CPLP exam pretty quickly—while it was all fresh in my mind. I spent two more weeks studying: re-reading the learning system, reviewing my notes, looking over flashcards, and taking practice tests. I was both optimistic and apprehensive when I arrived at my testing site on December 1.

I took a deep breath, reassured myself that I had done a good job of preparing, and began answering the 150 multiple-choice questions. I felt the test was a good representation of the materials I had studied. I was happy that I would learn my fate as soon as I completed the test. I was beyond ecstatic to learn that I had passed! I couldn’t wait to tell my co-workers at AAA, who had been so supportive, as well as Rebecca Boyle, who had given me so much help. 

By mid-December it was time to think about the work product. I was so focused on the test that I hadn’t given it much thought. What Area of Expertise (AOE) would I chose? What project had I worked on at my job recently that would meet all the requirements? I decided on “designing learning” and I selected a recent project that was still fresh in my mind. 

I dug in. I read anything I could get my hands on to guide me through the process: the CPLP program overview, policies and procedures, work product materials, packaging guidelines, and scoring process. I studied the scoring guide, compared it to my work product, revised, and repeated. 

I reviewed the submission sample several times. I emailed Pat Byrd, senior project manager of CPLP credentialing, with questions. Pat always got back to me promptly, which was wonderful!  I searched through files, folders, and emails for supporting documents. I crossed out my company name whenever I saw it. I met with people from my local chapter, who I knew had already earned the CPLP, for their feedback and constructive guidance. 

I took a break for the holidays, and then was right back to work, chipping away throughout the month of January, with a February deadline looming before me. The week before it was due, I obsessed over every detail, and re-reviewed all the resources. A few days before the final deadline, I couldn’t look at it any more. I took a deep breath, and sent my more than 100-page work product on its way. I waited and hoped. 

On April 9, a response arrived. It was the news I had been waiting for—I passed!