Inside NIRMA Fall 2020

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From the CRM So You Want to Become a CRA/CRM? By Gil Brueckner CRM/NS I f you read Bruce Walters’ article “To CRM or Not to CRM?” in the Fall 2019 NIRMA newsletter and you’re thinking about becoming a Certified Records Analyst (CRA) or Certified Records Manager (CRM), or maybe you’re already working towards certification, then read on. This article will describe my journey towards certification and provide some tips and strategies to make your journey easier. Cost of Certification The costs associated with certification are shown below: I decided to become a CRM after attending the NIRMA conference in 2014. I realized I had gaps in my knowledge and certification provided a means to become more knowledgeable. I completed CRM certification in 2018. Requirements for CRA/CRM Certification The requirements to apply for certification are a combination of education and experience ranging from a high school diploma plus five years of experience to a bachelor’s degree with one year of experience. There is a five-year time limit to achieve certification, which starts when your application is accepted. See the ICRM site for more information on applying for certification. Ways to Save Money You can save on books by renting them from Amazon.com. You can also go to the ICRM – Bookstore to buy/sell books and other prep resources. You can save money by not taking an exam prep course, but I don’t recommend it. The course I took was invaluable! CRA or CRM? Which certification should you apply for? It depends on your interests. The CRA is focused on the core aspects of RM and is geared towards individual contributors. It requires passing three exams (Parts 2 – 4). The CRM builds upon the CRA curriculum by adding leadership and technology topics. It requires passing six exams (Parts 1 – 6). If you’re not sure where to start, begin with the CRA. Once you achieve your CRA (within five years), the clock stops on completing your full CRM certification. You will be required to maintain your CRA (100 credit hours every five years), but you can work toward your CRM whenever you see fit. Funding Certification To offset the cost of certification, check with your employer. Some employers will reimburse certifications. If yours will, great! If not, perhaps your employer has an employee award program that can be applied towards certification. Also, don’t forget to apply for the La ARMA Nostra Certification Reimbursement Program through the ARMA International Education Foundation. This annual program offers six recipients a $500 reimbursement grant to offset the cost of certification. Time Commitment The time spent preparing for the exam will vary with each person. I spent approximately 250 hours over 2 years to prepare for the exams for Parts 1 - 6. 8 Fall 2020 NIRMA.org Inside NIRMA
Study Strategies Begin preparing for Parts 1 – 5 with the ICRM Exam Outlines and Sample Questions. You will need to refer to this information as you review the Recommended Reading material. I used the Exam Outlines to create a list of questions to answer as I read the books. I also used the free study app StudyBlue to study for Parts 1 - 5 (Tip: Search for existing study notes that other CRMs have posted). For Part 6, which is a timed essay response to two business case studies, I attended an exam prep course offered by my local ARMA chapter. The course provided sample case studies, responses, writing strategies, and immediate feedback. It was helpful! I also conducted my own timed practice tests using the sample business cases that the ICRM provides. Practicing under timed conditions helped me prepare for the real thing. Mentors I didn’t use a mentor, but I wish I had. I could have reduced my prep time had I engaged a mentor early on (especially for Part 6). If you don’t have a mentor, the ICRM and ARMA provide mentors, and I’m willing to serve as a mentor as well. Exam Day Preparation Based on guidance from the exam prep course, I took the exams for Parts 1 – 5 at one sitting. However, you may want to take the tests one at a time—do what works best for you. To prepare, I studied intensely for two weeks prior to test day. You will want to review the Online Exam FAQs and “Taking the Test” video on the ICRM site (www.icrm.org). The video is important, as the ICRM has switched to online testing via Examity and you will want to familiarize yourself with it. For the Part 6 exam, I wrote several practice essays prior to the exam. My strategy for responding to a business case was to read the case quickly, then read it again and take notes, log any tasks specified in the case, and then begin writing. It’s important to pay attention to the instructions in the case and to use correct grammar and spelling, as graders can deduct points for poor grammar and spelling. Monitor your time during the Part 6 exam. Four hours to write two essays goes very quickly! Is Certification Worth the Effort? Absolutely! I use the knowledge I’ve gained every day at work. If you’re on the path to certification, don’t hesitate to reach out to me or other CRA/CRMs for advice. If you haven’t yet begun the journey towards certification—why not? It’s worthwhile!
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