As we continue our CDFA Spotlight series, we’ve been thrilled by the positive feedback and engagement from our community. Each story has highlighted the dedication and hard work it takes to achieve the Certified Design Firm Administrator designation. We’re excited to keep bringing you more of these inspiring journeys. This week, we’re featuring Terri Blackert, CDFA, Senior Administrative Assistant with DLR Group in Phoenix, AZ. Her insights on learning all aspects of the industry are sure to inspire!

What motivated you to earn your CDFA certification?

A couple other Admins in our firm have earned their CDFA so I talked to them and found out that it is essentially the only certification related to a design firm we can get as an Admin.

Did you have any concerns, or fears, about taking the exam? If so, how did you address or overcome them?

I have held about four different Admin positions with DLR Group, so at first, I thought, "I got this!" But then as I started looking over the study material, I wasn't sure if I really knew what I was getting into. I decided to just take one section at a time.

What study tools did you find most useful (study group, CDFA-yoU materials, flash cards, other?)

CDFA materials - I put them in a binder and made a tab for each section so I could go through it and highlight sections. Flash cards were great for quick at a glance items.

Did you learn anything new, or surprising, while preparing for the exam?

It has taught me that I know more than I thought I did in areas like Marketing, which I do not normally work in.

What section of the exam was the most difficult for you?

Financial Section

What role, if any, has your CDFA played in advancing your professional or personal development, growth, network or career?

It has taught me that I know more than I thought I did in areas like Marketing, which I do not normally help with.

Was your employer supportive of your CDFA goals and accomplishment? If so, please share how they demonstrated that support.

Yes, they pay for my SDA membership and encouraged me to set aside time during the week to study prior to the exam.

What is your top tip to someone considering the pursuit of a CDFA designation?

Give yourself plenty of time to organize the materials and study. Do not try to cram right before the exam.

How did you, and your firm, celebrate your achievement?

They posted it on our internal knowledge sharing platform. People sent congratulations across the firm.

What has obtaining your CDFA meant to you?

It means a lot to me to know that I have a well-rounded knowledge of the different aspects of a design firm and hold a certification for it as an Administrative Assistant.

Feeling inspired by our CDFA Spotlight features? If you're ready to elevate your career and join the ranks of Certified Design Firm Administrators, now is the perfect time to take the next step. The CDFA designation not only strengthens your skills but also positions you as a leader in our industry. Visit our certification page to learn more about the application process and how you can start your journey today!

Welcome back to our CDFA Spotlight series! After a brief hiatus, we're excited to return with fresh stories and insights from our members who have recently achieved their Certified Design Firm Administrator designation. Our time away has been spent gathering some truly inspiring interviews, and we’re eager to share them with you. This week, we’re proud to feature Viviana Garcia, CDFA, Operations Manager with Michael G. Imber Architects in San Antonio, TX.

What motivated you to earn your CDFA certification?

I wanted to gain more knowledge in the business of architecture and felt learning the different aspects of administration would help me grow in my profession.

Did you have any concerns, or fears, about taking the exam? If so, how did you address or overcome them?

My concern was allocating enough time to study and managing my personal time. I studied during lunch hours and at night.

What role, if any, has your CDFA played in advancing your professional or personal development, growth, network or career?

This helped in my personal development, but I feel my office is not very aware of the value of having the CDFA designation.

What is your top tip to someone considering the pursuit of a CDFA designation?

Do not be afraid to reach out to others for questions; everyone I have met within SDA has been so helpful.

What has obtaining your CDFA meant to you?

It has brought me insight to the business of architecture and, more importantly SDA has given me the knowledge to help me grow in my job.

Feeling inspired by our CDFA Spotlight features? If you're ready to elevate your career and join the ranks of Certified Design Firm Administrators, now is the perfect time to take the next step. The CDFA designation not only strengthens your skills but also positions you as a leader in our industry. Visit our certification page to learn more about the application process and how you can start your journey today!

We've been busy interviewing some of our members who have recently accomplished their CDFA designation by passing the Certified Design Firm Administrator exam. This week we'll hear from Chrisandrea Clark, CDFA, Human Resources Manager with dtj Design in Denver, CO.

What motivated you to earn your CDFA certification?

Being in the A/E industry for over 15 years, I desired a way to be able to show my expertise as a Designer Firm Administrator.

Did you have any concerns, or fears, about taking the exam?

I was pretty nervous about taking the exam since I hadn’t had to take an exam like this since college.

What study tools did you find most useful?

CDFA-yoU and self-studying proved very helpful in preparing for the exam!

Did you learn anything new, or surprising, while preparing for the exam?

There are quite a few things that I learned in the areas I don’t touch on as much on a daily basis.

Did you have a CDFA mentor help you with the material? If so, tell us about that experience.

No, I mostly self-studied. I had plenty of encouragement from my supervisor and others in my local SDA chapter.

What role, if any, has your CDFA played in advancing your professional or personal development, growth, network, or career?

With my CDFA I have been provided the opportunity to work in roles that touch in all the major areas that the exam covered, from Project and Administrative Management to HR leadership . I feel qualified and well-equipped to handle any role in the A/E industry as a Certified Design Firm Administrator.

What is your top tip to someone considering the pursuit of a CDFA designation?

Just do it! Don’t procrastinate and delay applying to sit for it once eligible. Set the date and begin studying as soon as possible!

What has obtaining your CDFA meant to you?

Personally, it means a sense of accomplishment. I set out to show my advanced knowledge of being an administrator in our industry and it has been looked upon very highly amongst leadership firms I’ve worked with.