This topic is an offshoot of the question about how to study for SBE certification. Personally, I question the value of certification. I have a "Senior Broadcast Engineer" certificate from SBE on the wall that expired in 1991. It has never resulted in any benefit in either landing or continuing a position. My contract business is roaring and never once have I been asked if I was SBE certified. Since the requirement for holding an FCC license went away, I've never been asked for any credentials. The only thing I'm usually asked when the phone rings is "how soon can you get here"? Anyone have a different point of view?
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Value of SBE Certification?
- Thread starter BobOnTheJob
- Start date
As a young engineer (under 30), people often don't take you seriously. I think that the engineers over 50 tend to get a pass. I have found that my college electronics degree, my ham radio license, and my SBE certs go a long way in giving me the clout I need to get the project or land a new client... at least the first time, I've never had a problem getting return customers... 
I think word of mouth is the best reference. There are too few of us out there.
I think we need to start fixing our rates. This is something the oil industry has done successfully for years. The state sued a concrete group for the same thing but has never gone after the oil industry.
I think we need to start fixing our rates. This is something the oil industry has done successfully for years. The state sued a concrete group for the same thing but has never gone after the oil industry.
An interesting topic.
Each year Radio Magazine publishes a salary survey and one of the items is this very topic:
http://radiomagonline.com/features/2010-salary-survey-0928/index1.html
The short answer, according to the author: "As I say every year, it pays off: SBE certified engineers received between $6,800 and $7,500 more money this year."
Each year Radio Magazine publishes a salary survey and one of the items is this very topic:
http://radiomagonline.com/features/2010-salary-survey-0928/index1.html
The short answer, according to the author: "As I say every year, it pays off: SBE certified engineers received between $6,800 and $7,500 more money this year."
That's been my experience.ChiefEngineer said:
ChiefEngineer said:
That is where I have gotten all of my jobs. I'm not SBE certified, don't have a First and really not a member of the SBE at all anymore. None of that matters. All the clients and people that call me want to know is "can I fix it". To answer your question, Bob, I don't think the SBE certification matters as much as the SBE would like for it to.
I am CPBE with Lifetime Certification. My practice involves testimony at Zoning/ZBA hearings, civil and criminal court expert witness testimony, due diligence inspections, FCC filings that are sometimes competitive in nature and other areas where credentials are important. Not only that, but certification from a worldwide recognized professional organization is important to me just as an advanced degree is important to a graduate. It is affirmation that I have maintained pace with evolving technologies in the industry. Just as a doctor may pursue Board Certification, a broadcast engineer may wish the recognition of his/her achievments.
That's what my feelings on the topic are. Maybe it is a plus if you're way up the food chain as a group DOE, consultant or other variety of specialist, but for us contract folks keeping Mom & Pop on the air, I see no value in it.
BobOnTheJob said:
The DOE of the group I used to work for down here wasn't certified. He was barely an engineer! And Tom, I have done all that stuff, too....without an SBE certification. The recognition of my achievments comes when people call me to help them fix their problems.
I think everyone has raised valid points.
I think there is some value that does not necessarily result in increased revenue or job offers. For me, it would be the satisfaction of obtaining the certificates and recognition of my hard work. Also, if the question came up, the certificates would show others that I possess a specialized body of knowledge and have maintained proficiency.
I think there is some value that does not necessarily result in increased revenue or job offers. For me, it would be the satisfaction of obtaining the certificates and recognition of my hard work. Also, if the question came up, the certificates would show others that I possess a specialized body of knowledge and have maintained proficiency.
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