Emmi Lingel, a rising leader in human resources, recently achieved one of the toughest milestones in the field: passing the SHRM Certified Professional exam, a key credential that distinguishes top HR professionals.
From her first days as an intern at TTM Technologies and through her job there as an HR assistant, Lingel knew this credential was crucial for advancing her career. Despite the rigorous preparation required, her mentors and managers emphasized its value, especially given her psychology background.
“My managers strongly encouraged me to pursue the certification, especially since my degree is in psychology, not HR,” she said.
Guided by USF’s Corporate Training and Professional Education SHRM-CP Exam Preparation course, Lingel not only aced the exam but also gained insights that helped set her apart in HR, enhancing her skills and confidence in the field.
With a psychology degree from Binghamton University and a pivotal internship under her belt, Lingel’s career has progressed with talent acquisition roles with major firms like Coca-Cola Beverages Florida and PODS.
“When I moved to Florida, I searched for SHRM-CP test prep online and USF’s program was the first to pop up,” she said. “Many of my colleagues at Coca-Cola had gone through CTPE’s SHRM prep course, so I decided to sign up.”
Lingel chose the six-week online version of the course, which allowed her to balance her studies with her daily work schedule and personal responsibilities. From the beginning, she was impressed by the program’s comprehensive content.
“Our instructor, Dr. Ian Briggs was incredibly knowledgeable and provided great content,” Lingel said. “I liked that the class was structured with both learning and question segments. This approach helped us better understand what SHRM would ask us on the exam and how to answer questions effectively.”
Lingel credits the course for making the SHRM-CP exam more manageable, noting that the insights she gained were essential to her success in earning the certification.
“What’s great about this course is that HR professionals of all experience levels share their knowledge and perspectives regarding HR scenarios,” said Briggs, principal consultant at Engagement Academy Partners. “By working through real-life scenarios and practicing exam questions together, participants gain a deeper understanding of HR issues and the various approaches to addressing them.”
There are additional benefits to earning the certification. SHRM-certified professionals report earning higher annual salaries – nearly $18,000 more for SHRM-SCP and $7,000 more for SHRM-CP. Plus, 68% of SHRM-certified professionals report that their credential was a key factor in receiving a promotion.
“One of the most important tips I learned in the program, aside from the HR knowledge, was how the SHRM exam phrases certain questions,” Lingel said. “Some questions have multiple correct answers, so it was crucial to understand how to identify the best answer.”
In addition to the exam preparation, Lingel found value in connecting with fellow HR professionals, a benefit that extended beyond the classroom. On top of having peers to study with, she also expanded her professional circle in the process.
“You’re not only being taught how to succeed on the exam, but you can connect with people in similar roles and build your network to advance your career even further,” she said.
To learn more about the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP Exam Preparation course, visit the website or contact Associate Director of CTPE Kathy Barnes at barnesk@usf.edu.