SME certification

[Indyneer]

I have been considering taking the SME CMfgT certification test. I investigated on SME's site to see the requirements and to answer the sample test questions. The test questions were kind of vague, for example:

"Accessing previously created components for assembly modeling in CAD is called
A.draw/modeling.
B.instancing.
C.compositing.
D.conditioning.

I find questions like these to be of little value in assessing a person's manufacturing expertise. Therefore, I am wondering about the value and validity of the certification. Is it a respected and worthwhile certification or is it just a money making tool for the SME?
I have notice that they require recertification test every 3 three years at a cost of $95 for a member. I am wondering about it's credibility.

I am mainly toward product design, but I have thought that this certification might be helpful to show that I have a knowledge of manufacturing as well. Is it worthwhile to pursue this certification?

 

[PSE]

What would be your goal in pursuing the certification?
Personal "Improvement"?
Potential for advancement in current position?
Improved marketability to other employers?

I have not encountered instances where being certified would have either enhanced or hindered my career. Though there may be corporations that require it either for employment or advancement. You may be able to do just as well with documenting some of the specifics on your manufacturing skills in your own resume'. You could talk to your boss (hopefully) about any benefit that certification could bring to your existing corporate career or check to see if there are numerous companies in your field of interest that require it.

 

[jimcasada]

To answer your question from my experience with the SME, "Is it a respected and worthwhile certification or is it just a money making tool for the SME?," I would say that both answers are true. I first became certified as a Mfg Engineer with the SME in 1989 and did the re-cert thing for a while, but who cares if you keep re-certifying every three years. It looks good on your resume that first took and passed their test, but most employers don't care if you keep up the re-cert. My resume simply states the fact that I became certified in 1989 and doesn't even mention anything about re-certifying. I personally don't think that it is really worth the time and money to keep re-certifying. I'm not even a member of SME anymore and haven't been in several years now, but they still keep sending me all their supposed benefits (free magazines, overpriced book deals, tickets to trade shows, etc). Although I really like their local chapter involvement here in Oklahoma, on the national level, the SME is very commercialized and out to make a buck any way they can.