icture this golf scene: You're standing at the tee on a long par four hole. You have just finished your backswing. And WOW! What a drive! Your confidence soars as you watch your ball land in the middle of the fairway with full access to the green.

The successful golfer plans the next shot as he walks to that ball. Should he lay up in front of the green? Or will he be able to reach the green with the next shot? Of course, this choice depends on his level of expertise.

If he regularly practices his game, he has few problems, whether making a short chip shot or a long putt. But if he is just a weekend golfer, he is still pumped up from the great drive. The second shot will be a piece of cake. Well, you know how this story ends!

Now, take this same golf analogy and apply it to your career development. When you first started your job, you were "gung ho." You were probably just out of college. You knew everything; you were current with technology. You were a shining star.

So where are you now? Are you the successful materials handling professional who continued with your career development by taking advantage of educational opportunities and perhaps even became certified in your professional field? Have you practiced your profession and maintained a level of proficiency to keep up with ever changing technology? Have you broadened your knowledge base, have you become cross functional in your area of expertise?

Or, are you like the weekend golfer? You got that great first job, you felt pretty smug for a time. But you haven't kept up with the technology. And then you have a Tiger Woods in your foursome.

Suddenly, you find yourself either out of a job. Or you are constantly looked over when it comes time for promotion. You're at a dead end. What do you do?

The materials handling profession is like golf or any other profession. One must maintain a competitive edge. Many are finding that a breadth of experience is just as much in demand as the concentration of knowledge in one specific area.

One way to demonstrate broad knowledge is to earn a CAMH or PCMH professional certification. Each definitively measures the professional who has mastered a significant body of knowledge and experience.

MHMS offers a two-tier certification program to members. Certification is available as a Certified Associate in Materials Handling (CAMH) and as a Professional Certified in Materials Handling (PCMH). MHMS and the Material Handling Institute provide educational opportunities and resources for professionals to prepare them for certification.

For more information on MHMS please visit our web site, ww.mhia.org/mhms.