Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1249
72 / the tasting panel / june 2009 F or anyone considering, or already pur- suing, one of the beverage industry's most rigorous professional certifi ca- tions—the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Diploma—aligning your expecta- tions and ADOPTING STRATEGIES will make navigating the program easier and signifi - cantly more rewarding. With only 36 Diplomas awarded in the U.S. by the London-based WSET in 2008, the benefi ts of sticking out this program, which can be completed in as little as two years or self-paced over a longer period, are many. WSET certifi cation is a proven way to differentiate yourself in any job market. Diploma candidate William Emile Bond III recently accepted a position as a Northern California Regional Manager with Frederick Wildman and Sons, where his WSET status helped him connect. "As far as credentials go, it's A VALUABLE THING TO HAVE ON YOUR RESUME," Bond says. "The hiring manager at Wildman earned his Diploma in New York, and it defi nitely caught his eye when he reviewed my resume." Since the WSET's Diploma program is an exercise in LEARNING FROM YOUR MISTAKES, hindsight led me to consider how my own recent experiences and those of several students who entered the program around the same time could benefi t new candidates. The WSET frequently modifi es the require- ments of the Diploma to keep pace with the industry; an introduction to the organization and the current requirements can be found online at www.wset.uk.org. Taking Stock Understanding how you learn is key to mastering the large amount of material required for each Diploma unit. With the op- tion of classroom lectures or home study for all units, Bond preferred to attend lectures. "I enjoy the Socratic method, and in many cases, I learn as much from my peers as I do from the instructors. While I get a lot out of lectures, ATTENDING CLASSES WITH YOUR PEERS builds social equity—something that is a valuable part of the WSET." Adam Chase, AIWS, runs the WSET program in Northern California and he en- courages students to attend lectures when- ever possible. "We offer students a broad perspective; CLASSES ARE LED BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS, representatives from the WSET in Once you've made the decision to pursue a professional certifi cation, there's more to making the grade than meets the eye Professional Certification Eyes Prize by Deborah Parker Wong, AIWS on the