Just six months ago, I wasn't even thinking of taking a test and it wasn't high on my list of things to do. But an opportunity came to improve work skills and gain a better understanding of my profession, so I looked into it.
It was most appreciated when my employer supported my efforts, giving me the green light to enroll in an intense two day class which would set me on my way.
Learning should never stop, but preparing for a test is different than everyday learning in my mind. But since college, I've only taken a handful of tests. There was the exam I had to pass in order to get a state license so I could sell Health and Life Insurance. It was pretty important, since I had to pass to take the job.
Yet there was something different about this test. It wasn't about an A, B, D, or F; it was all about another four letters - C, F, R, E.
Soon after I arrived in the test center, I was asked to sign in and my picture was taken for their records. Then I was escorted into a room with two desktop computers. It was very cool in the room, and not in a style sense, it was cold!
After a short tutorial on how the test would look on the screen, it began. Since this test is international the language was familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. Organization was spelled organisation. Sentences were a bit awkward to read.
Several of the multiple choice questions were relatively easy to decipher, while others had me scratching my head and wondering when, if ever, in my 13 years working in development I had even heard of such things.
200 questions. Four hours to complete.
After getting through them, I went back to check my answers. Other than a couple of changes; I let the answers stand.
I hit submit. A box popped up, "Are you sure you want to submit?"
I hit the yes button. It asked me the same question. I answered yes again and the test was done.
Upon leaving the room, I gathered my things which were stored safely while I took the test, and was ready to leave. The test proctor held out a sheet of paper.
I took it and decided I did not want to look at it in the office. If the result wasn't what I was hoping for I didn't want to find out in the waiting room.
So, it was down the stairs and out the door where it warm, and on to the car. Once inside, I took a couple deep breath, lifted one more prayer then turned the page to see how I did.
One word in all caps caught my eye, PASSED.
I'm honored and proud to add the letters CFRE behind my name professionally and join a group begun in 2001 as an independent non-profit organisation whose sole mission is dedicated to setting standards in philanthropy through a valid and reliable certification process for fundraising professionals.
And thankful to everyone who offered encouragement through a long process from initial interest to completing the application (nearly as difficult as the test), to the exam.
I will work hard to live up to their trust and the expectations of peers and the CFRE. Oh, in case you didn't look it up, CFRE stands for Certified Fund Raising Executive.
Comments
Post a Comment