With most companies having switched over to Scrum and Agile platforms for all their product and project management needs, anyone who has a good grasp of these platforms is in much demand these days. Hence, getting a CSPO® certification is probably the best career move for you at this point.

CSPO® or Certified Scrum Product Owner is but a small aspect in a long list of certifications and courses offered by Scrum Alliance. These courses train you in varying degrees about product planning, presentation, development, and distribution. The CSPO® course is a beginner-level certification that gives you a chance to improve your job prospects in the market.

If you are fresh out of college and looking for ways to get a job, then this is the blog for you. Here is everything you need to know about Scrum and the CSPO® certification. Read on to know more.

What is CSPO® and who can apply for it?

CSPO® is an acronym for the Certified Scrum Product Owner. This means that the CSPO® license gives the candidate the credibility to design the product and lead their development.  People who complete this course successfully can earn way more than your average product managers.

There are two aspects or avenues open for beginners who want to pursue a career in Scrum. You can either go for CSM or a Certified Scrum Master or CSPO® course. The CSM trains you on the technical side of things. While the product owner CSPO® certification handles the business-related aspects of the company.

Both CSM and CSPO® have the same level of opportunities and earnings in the market. Your interest and inclination decides what you want to choose, ultimately.

Where and how to get the CSPO® license?

You can easily get the CSPO® certification online. All you have to do is register at the online Scrum platform,  get your membership, agree to all their terms/conditions and you’re eligible. Anyone with a background in marketing or the IT sector should definitely apply for the course.

The CSPO® curriculum is also not difficult contrary to what most people might believe. The syllabus covers the basics of product management and the workings of the scrum platform. A piece of basic technical knowledge of how projects run would be enough to get you going.

Also, note that the CSPO® license is valid only for 2 years, so you will have to renew it. This is because the Scrum platforms are constantly upgraded and it’s necessary for users to catch up with it.

How are the job prospects of a CSPO® certified professional?

CSPO® certification would get you a job as a scrum product owner in any company. Now, a scrum product owner is a mid-level managerial position in any organization’s hierarchy. It is the best option for beginners who want to give a good boost to their career.

Other IT experts, project managers, and developers can also opt for their course if they want to change their field of work. With the CSPO® position, you get to handle the practical aspects of brand promotion.

For while the technical developers execute the commands, it is the scrum product owner who issues them. The scrum product owner or PO is in charge of the entire product development cycle. It is their vision and ultimate plan that comes to fruition. This is also means that if something goes wrong then CSPO® is held responsible and if the product is successful, then CSPO® gets the rewards. So, this is a position of responsibility and power.

Does a CSPO® professional get a good pay scale?

Yes the CSPO® certification is perhaps one of the most profitable courses you can do. It doesn’t take much to enrol for the course. The initial investment is also very less, especially when we compare it to the final return you get.

CSPO® job prospects are also very high. There is no dearth of demand for job options once you get this certification. And with ample experience, you can get an almost 96% increment in your salary package by making a considerably small investment!

CSPO® also gives you a chance to expand your network, gain industry insights, and overall enhance your training. With CSPO® you open new avenues to explore. You can also take up new courses and upgrade your skills on the Scrum platforms as well.

What does a CSPO® professional do?

A CSPO® professional usually handles the business development side of things within the organisation. And the scrum master caters to the technical requirements, it is the CSPO® who has the complete picture in mind.

So, your daily job would be to come up with creative production plans, decide the brand image, and ensure that everything is properly executed. Another important aspect of your job is networking. You have to interact with other Agile practitioners to understand the trends of the market. Plus, networking and conducting meetings with investors is also a part of your job description.

Are there alternative career options for CSPO® candidates?

Of course, you don’t necessarily have to join any company as a CSPO® officer. Although being a CSPO® professional is not a monotonous job. Your day to day activities involve a lot of meetings, planning, presentation, and leading teams.

With CSPO® you have the chance to interact with more people, pitch ideas, and brainstorm over ideas. However, people who don’t want to work in an organization can become certified scrum trainers. The CSPO® certification also makes you eligible to train other beginners the tricks of the trade.

CSPO® training is conducted by registered Scrum developers. And with the CSPO® license, you get to host and conduct such classes and share your knowledge. Most people choose to become scrum trainers after gaining ample industry experience by working on-site.

The bottom line

CSPO® is a simple and convenient certification for beginners to try before they venture out to more advanced courses. Companies always favour such certifications and it improves your skill sets and is a great addition to your resume. Scrum and Agile platforms have multiple other certification courses that you can explore. However, I recommend CSPO® for newbies who don’t have any experience in this field. This course is also beneficial for IT professionals, project managers, and developers looking for ways to upgrade their position within the company.