Perceptions of formal career achievements in public relations by students, professionals, and employers: Certificate, accreditation, and College of Fellows

Penning, Timothy; Forde, John; Broussard, Sharee

doi:10.1016/j.pubrev.2024.102458

Public Relations Review

2024

DOI: 10.1016/j.pubrev.2024.102458

|View full text |Cite

Perceptions of formal career achievements in public relations by students, professionals, and employers: Certificate, accreditation, and College of Fellows

Timothy Penning,

John Forde,

Sharee Broussard

Help me understand this report

Search citation statements

Order By: Relevance

Paper Sections

Select...

Citation Types

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Year Published

2024

Publication Types

Select...

Article3

Relationship

Self Cite0

Independent3

Authors

Journals

Cited by 3 publications

References 20 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

A Strategic Communication Practitioner Imperative: Contextualizing Responsible AI as Part of Responsible Advocacy

Germinder,

Capizzo

2024

International Journal of Strategic Communication

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A Strategic Communication Practitioner Imperative: Contextualizing Responsible AI as Part of Responsible Advocacy

Germinder,

Capizzo

2024

International Journal of Strategic Communication

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Bridging the diverse leader gap in public relations through accreditation: examining US diverse practitioners’ motivations, challenges and leader development

Neill,

Vasquez,

Broussard

et al. 2024

CCIJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

PurposeThis study aims to examine the impact of the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) certification on the leader development of US diverse practitioners.Design/methodology/approachThe study involved six online focus groups with 64 APRs who identified as diverse practitioners and APR chairs who supported and mentored diverse candidates.FindingsDiverse practitioners identified specific knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) that they developed through the APR study process, which are consistent with those desired in leaders such as technical, relationship management and conceptual skills. Not only did diverse practitioners become more strategic thinkers and skilled in the public relations planning process, but they also were promoted or hired into management positions. Effective mentors were key to their success. These findings confirm that the APR can be a form of leader development for diverse public relations practitioners that opens doors to management positions. However, employers need to provide instrumental support for diverse practitioners to be successful, such as covering costs associated with the exam, providing study time and supporting their membership in professional associations.Originality/valueBased on the theoretical framework of self-efficacy and a lifelong learning mindset, the study reveals the value of the APR in preparing diverse practitioners for leadership roles, which can be a resource to address the gap in diverse leaders in the public relations industry.

show abstract

The credentialism trap: are IT certifications overrated?

Szandała

2024

SHR

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Purpose This paper aims to explore whether certifications are sufficient for comprehensively evaluating the IT sector, focusing on DevOps, as this branch has the widest range of certifications. It examines the limitations of relying solely on certifications and highlights the gap between certified knowledge and practical competence in real-world settings. Design/methodology/approach The study includes a survey of 72 certified DevOps professionals with varying years of experience to gather insights on the impact of certifications. It also reviews existing literature on the origins, psychological aspects and role of certifications in recruitment within the IT sector. Findings The findings indicate that while certifications enhance technical knowledge and boost confidence among IT professionals, they do not consistently lead to career advancements and sometimes do not adequately assess practical skills and soft skills essential for DevOps roles. The survey revealed that only a minority experienced promotions postcertification, highlighting a disconnect between certifications and career progression. Research limitations/implications The survey sample was limited to 72 respondents, which may not represent the entire DevOps community. Future research with a more extensive and diverse sample could provide more generalisable results and deeper insights into the impact of certifications across different contexts. Practical implications Organisations should consider certifications as one component of a candidate’s qualifications, alongside practical experience and soft skills. Professionals are encouraged to pursue certifications for skill validation and knowledge enhancement but should integrate them with practical application and continuous learning to ensure effectiveness in DevOps environments. Social implications An overemphasis on certifications can contribute to a “credentialist” culture, potentially undervaluing practical skills and leading to stress and burnout among professionals. A balanced approach that values both certified knowledge and experiential learning can promote a healthier professional environment and improve team collaboration. Originality/value This paper provides a nuanced examination of the role of certifications in evaluating DevOps skills by combining survey data with a literature review. It offers original insights into the limitations of certifications and emphasises the importance of balancing them with practical experience and soft skills in the IT industry.

show abstract

scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Contact Info

customersupport@researchsolutions.com

10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614

Henderson, NV 89052, USA

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Blog Terms and Conditions API Terms Privacy Policy Contact Cookie Preferences Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Made with 💙 for researchers

Part of the Research Solutions Family.

Perceptions of formal career achievements in public relations by students, professionals, and employers: Certificate, accreditation, and College of Fellows

Cited by 3 publications

References 20 publications

A Strategic Communication Practitioner Imperative: Contextualizing Responsible AI as Part of Responsible Advocacy

A Strategic Communication Practitioner Imperative: Contextualizing Responsible AI as Part of Responsible Advocacy

Bridging the diverse leader gap in public relations through accreditation: examining US diverse practitioners’ motivations, challenges and leader development

The credentialism trap: are IT certifications overrated?

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About