When I first started I too was very leary of certifications. My mother had always told me "nothing is free in this world." I would have to agree to a point.

One way to look at a certification is it's all in what you put into it, what you'll get out of it. After I completed my certification I took advantage of who I networked with. That was the key, not so much the certification. In the VA world I think it's one of the best ways to get to know people that do have a client base. I always had a shield up that people were trying to sell me something just to get the money. That's where this industry is so different. There are many that truely are trying to make it easer for new people coming in not to make the same mistakes they did.

So in my eyes, yes I think it's important to invest into a certification program. It got me where I am today and I'm very thankful for that.