By Victor A. Hill, MPA, CAPP
The road to CAPP can be an anxiety-inducing one to travel, but the payoff is worth it when you arrive.
I began my parking career in 2013. My first supervisor in parking was a CAPP and he asked if I’d be interested in the certification. It was a test of sorts, because CAPP isn’t something you just get. You must achieve it. My supervisor was really asking if I was willing to put professional and personal time into demonstrating that I understood the fundamentals of a complex discipline. At the time, CAPP was transitioning to its current format in which the path to certification is largely determined by the individual and not necessarily by a set of courses.
Three and a half years later, I sat for the CAPP exam and passed. Even better, I was promoted because our university’s leadership respects the CAPP credential’s value.
If you’re on the fence about whether to pursue CAPP, do it. If you’re worried about the exam, don’t be. IPI’s CAPP members are fantastic people who are happy to offer advice and encouragement. The most recent IPI Conference included a discussion about the updated exam that made a significant difference in my success. More importantly, I made connections with professionals who went out of their way to offer suggestions for resources about subject areas.
CAPP is a huge achievement that doesn’t have to be an obstacle. View it as an opportunity, not just to grow professionally, but to make lasting connections with remarkable people. You’ll be amazed by the journey and what you learn along the way.
Victor Hill, MPA, CAPP is director of parking and transportation services for the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.