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PMA CPC?

::stuffnstuff
10/28/05 12:27 AM GMT
I would like to know if anyone here has become a Certified Photographic Consultant by the Photo Marketing Association International. I am thinking about considering looking into estimating the feasibility of analyzing the potential thought of the idea of taking the test, so I thought I might ask if anyone else has.

Is the knowledge helpful and useful? Is the PMA widespread enough to give me a leg up on snagging a photography-related job? Is it difficult if you put in good time studying? Am I wasting my time? :-)
0∈ [?]
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened. – Winston Churchill

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brphoto
10/28/05 10:42 AM GMT
I believe that you must already be employed by a camera store, as both the PMA and the employer are involved in the CPC candidacy process. From perusing the PMA CPC website (http://cpc.pmai.org/), I don't think it's something that independent individuals work towards, it's directed at those who own/operate a store and want to improve "credibility" by having PMA CPC certified salespeople.

It's not unlike Canon's CPS (Canon Professional Services) program, you can't become a CPS member to help you get a job as a photographer; you have to be a working professional photographer to get into the CPS program.
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"If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera."
::stuffnstuff
10/28/05 3:52 PM GMT
Interesting. The Ritz near my school will be hiring in December and I plan to push harder this time. Also, the manager is the uncle of a friend, but I am not sure if that will make a difference. I remember asking guys at Ritz what aspherical meant, and nobody knew. One guy didn't even know what "all those numbers" after the zoom ratio meant, but he still had a job. :-) So I should wait until I have a job there before taking the test?
0∈ [?]
Men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing ever happened. – Winston Churchill
::CrazyIvan
10/30/05 2:37 AM GMT
A degree in photography from a credible university is the better route if you are looking for work as a photographer and need paper credibility.
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"The sky is not the limit . . . the ground is."
::stuffnstuff
10/30/05 3:13 AM GMT
Easy there, I am only a junior in highschool. :-) I just would like to be official if being a salesman at a camera store, and it could never hurt the resume, whether it is photography related or not.

"Hmm, the kid is willing to study for difficult tests for no apparent purpose besides furthering knowledge for his work environment. Nah, I like them ignorant and proud of it." ;-)
0∈ [?]
Dreams are like rainbows - only idiots chase them.
::CrazyIvan
10/30/05 4:06 AM GMT
I checked your age before I replied and figured that if you were serious about a future in photography, that may be a viable option.
0∈ [?]
"The sky is not the limit . . . the ground is."
::stuffnstuff
10/30/05 8:48 PM GMT
I am currently taking PSEO (government paid college during the last two years of highschool) at a local community college designed specifically for training people to efficiently make fries and fold cardboard boxes, so it isn't exactly high caliber education. They offer one photography class, film only, which would be nice to take, but the government doesn't pay for me to take art classes, only core. Until I can get my generals done and head off to a real college, I may be degreeless. :-)
0∈ [?]
Dreams are like rainbows - only idiots chase them.
::stuffnstuff
11/19/05 10:25 PM GMT
Come next semester, I am guaranteed to be in a film-only photography class involving heavy use of the darkroom, which will be a great experience for me. Also, I got hired at Ritz Camera yesterday to boot. Not even my manager is CPC certified, but I may take the test anyways. Maybe we will all do it togethor.

Anything I should be doing that I am not? At this point, I just want to learn.
0∈ [?]
-True justice is when doctors and lawyers can no longer afford each other

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