Just got home after meeting a friend for a pizza. He’s now learning Spanish. In Spain ...
I hadn’t heard from him for a long while and he opened my eyes on WHY it took me so long to grow into a SYSTEMS expert …
So I rushed home to share what he told me! So you know the shortcut.
In his own words:
Enjoy!
Short email.
It includes:
• A coat
• A young lady who rejected me
• And how to get ahead faster.
What's the connection?
Good question.
Three weeks ago I decided that I'm gonna take learning Spanish seriously. And I did. And I thought that I could already SPEAK.
So...
I went to a dry cleaning shop to ask them whether they could come to our home to take my wife's coat - clean it - and bring it back.
That's what I wanted to say.
In Spanish.
So I walk up to the stand. There was a young lady standing there. I took a deep breathe - and with full confidence - I said:
Vamos a mi casa?
She looked confused.
So I asked again:
Vamos a mi casa para limpiar? (to clean)
She looked even more confused.
And tried to tell me in Spanish that she has a boyfriend.
"SO WHAT MATE? I GET REJECTED EVERY SINGLE DAY. SO WHAT?!"
Well here's the difference between you and I.
First?
I'm married.
Second?
I have an Engineering reputation and people listen (LOL). AND YOU'RE NOT.
Third?
I'm ARROGANT AF.
But nah. That's not the point.
That was a joke (except for the arrogance part - I probably actually am).
[he probably is ha haa ]
Here's the point.
I think I know how to speak Spanish.
You think you know how to speak Systems Engineering.
We're both wrong. THINKING that you can do something - and actually being able to do the thing - are two completely different things.
Completely different.
So how about I show you how I would start my personal journey to grow my career faster than 99% of anyone who ever SUCCEEDED to build one...
... A personal career that allows me to understand things and how they fit together. To be remarkable and noticed and proposed for more responsibility and promotion much earlier than I was.
That is .. if I would have to start over today. Or pivot my career into Systems Engineering. The later would get me even more advantage!
People keep asking me what are the benefits of getting SEP Certified. There are many. Some obvious. Some more subtle.
But this is the FIRST step to something bigger. You can architect your career intelligently if you start here. And get proper support.
Enough with the waffling …
Back to the point. To the point:
Take a moment to consider the benefits of both ASEP and CSEP certifications. There are definitely some exciting advantages for you.
First off, having either certification can lead to more interview invitations. Of course, landing the job still depends on how you present yourself and your experience.
But with the right language and approach, you’ll definitely give yourself a boost. Remember, it’s all about numbers.
It's a number game! — the more interviews you attend, the greater your chances of securing that dream job!
Now, earning your ASEP means you've grasped what you need to learn. However, don't fall into the trap of thinking you're now an accomplished Systems Engineer who knows everything. This certification lays a solid foundation for your journey ahead; true expertise comes from hands-on practice.
Think of it like getting your driving licence—just because you've passed doesn't mean you're a skilled driver right away! It simply indicates that you've got the basics down and can now continue learning and honing your skills through practice.
When it comes to achieving your CSEP, this is where things get really interesting! You’ll be recognised as a professional in your field by a respected organisation, which adds weight to your profile.
This can lead to more opportunities for better roles and even authority within teams. Some companies might even offer pay increases based on this certification. Especially those that list it as a requirement.
That said, I wouldn't solely rely on certification for a pay bump; proving that you can deliver results is equally important. The key is how you market yourself throughout this process.
I was talking about Architecting your career?
This is the first brick!
You CAN construct a fantastic monument by approaching it deliberately, knowing what you’re doing and what you want to achieve.
Of course it sounds scary and unclear how to do it. BUT it’s SIMPLER THAN YOU THINK when you get a mentor to show you the way. Get the blueprint and give you a hand building together.
Are you starting your career? Your working life?
Or are you thinking of pivoting into Systems Engineering?
In any case there are people who CAN and are willing to help. So YOU CAN too!
Feel free to reach out if you'd like to discuss this further or have any questions!
P.S.: to help → I compiled an FAQ related to the exam and SEP certification after working with my Coachees and INCOSE. Find it here, it may help: https://periwinkle-cacao-84e.notion.site/SEP-prep-and-exam-FAQ-17c487a39b8f8088841bd3a0eae96a5b?pvs=4
P.P.S.: There's still time for a Hybrid exam. Only the material common in both Handbook v4 and v5. Starting 15 March 2025, exam content all comes from SEH Fifth Edition. With modified and extra material so you'll need to cover all that.
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Alex Toth, CSEP MINCOSE, IREB RE
Systems Magician
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