Letting Go of Certifications

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In fall 2024, I transitioned out of working with or in a K-12 setting after over 30 years. I moved into higher education full-time. Although I’ve lived in this space for 15 years as an adjunct instructor, I still had a difficult time making the move. Not because the work was complicated or boring-it wasn’t- but because I no longer traveled in the same circles, so the people I talked to and learned with were suddenly not there anymore. That’s a hard thing to accept. Adding to the change, I also had to consider some of the certifications I achieved in K-12 that were no longer relevant to my full-time work. Some are prestigious, others not so much, and a few of them either require ongoing professional development hours or have a set expiration date. This brought a new dilemma- do I keep a certification that is no longer relevant just to have it? Do I let it go? Does keeping it mean anything when I have no intention of returning to that space? Does the accomplishment diminish without the title and the paperwork? These are questions I didn’t have easy answers to, so I turned to my Professional Learning Network for guidance. 

On LinkedIn and ISTE’s community platform, I asked colleagues the following: 

When do you 'let go' of some of your certifications? In the next year, I have a few expiring- some tool-based certifications, some more prestigious and rigorous. I'm currently in a role that I don't need them for, and I'm having a hard time deciding if I want to put the effort in to renew or let them go. What have you done? 

The responses I received tell me that I’m not the only one struggling with this question. Folks have very personal reasons for keeping certifications and letting them sunset, as well. In either case, each response is personal and passionate. Abbreviated, here are some I received: 

• With the way the economy is right now, I fear losing any sort of certification so I keep them current even though I am not in the field. 
• Keep what has personal meaning/brings joy and what continues to serve your needs; let the others go. 
• I’ve had to prioritize what will help my current role to renew and hold onto those. Some certifications still fill my personal learning PD bucket, so I hold onto those as well. 
• I must confess that letting go of something like the certifications might come with a certain degree of FOMO, particularly when it used to give you access to a community. When you've dedicated time and effort to achieving rigorous credentials, it feels like letting go means discarding a huge part of your professional identity. It's tough to separate the achievement (which stays with you) from the credential (which requires ongoing maintenance). 
• My current role doesn't strictly require certifications, but they validate the deep understanding of pedagogy and classroom realities I bring to my new job. 
• If you do not enjoy something that requires it, it might be time to let it go. 

All of these responses helped my thought process- both by giving me food for thought and by acknowledging the grief that comes with change, even when the change is positive. There were a few, however, that truly helped me sort this out: 

• Nicole - I just want to add that your qualifications and expertise speak for themselves (louder and better than the credentials). 
• I’ve learned to think about certifications in terms of purpose and energy. If a certification directly supports the work I’m doing now, or aligns with where I want to grow next, I put in the time to renew it. But if it no longer reflects the direction of my work, or keeping it up would drain time and energy I need elsewhere, I’ve started giving myself permission to let it go. In the past couple of years, I’ve renewed a few that still felt relevant and allowed others to sunset, and honestly, it felt freeing. 
• Certifications are meant to support us, not weigh us down. The achievement and the expertise you gained are permanent. Letting the paperwork expire doesn't erase your incredible work. 

PLNs are incredibly powerful. When in doubt, ask your network! As for me, I am now giving myself permission to let some of my certifications expire without guilt. I achieved those accomplishments because of my passion for education, and I am already working on new goals, which, as one person explained, definitely feels freeing. On to the next.