Does a Certificate from GITG101, SBC, SMWW or Others Help Me Get an NBA Internship?

Getting a job in the NBA

Does a certificate from GITG101, SBC, SMWW or others help me get an NBA Internship?

I hate to say it…

Because I know you put a lot of time and resources into these classes, but the simple answer is, no.

Does this mean these classes have no value?

That would be a no again.  They do hold value.   

The value from these courses isn’t the course itself, the completion of it, or the certificate you obtain. It’s in what you learn from them, how you apply that, and most importantly, the people you meet along the way. 

I frequently get asked about adding certificates to your resumes.

It is up to you whether you want to add these kinds of certificates to the end of your resume. 

For me, any of these types of certificates added no value to the candidate.  And in some ways, they clouded the resume.  And frankly, anyone can take these courses and get a certificate. What you want on your resumes are things that separate you from others, not things that anyone can pay for and add on.

Learning how to code (Python), log film (SportsCode / Hudl), becoming an Excel wizard, obtaining a law degree… these are incredibly valuable to add to a resume.

Just as similarly, what degree you got from a college, or your gpa, really isn’t that important. It’s what you learned and the experience you gained that is important. 

I didn’t get an internship with the Trail Blazers because of my college gpa or even what degree I obtained.  Honestly, none of that meant much at all. I just needed a degree, any degree.

What mattered was that I stood on the sideline for my University’s basketball practices, I wrote scouting reports, I learned how to log film, and most importantly, I met people who knew people. Those were the important things. 

So should you take any or all of those extra courses?

It’s up to you.  But remember, the value isn’t in the certificate, it’s in what you learn and who you meet along the way.