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So this question is a really big one for me as I set a major goal of obtaining my PMP. I have been a PM in some for or fashion for over 15 years at this point. When I took my first IT PM role, my boss's boss was on the local PMI chapter's board and he was about to set up into the president role. He got into volunteering for PMI and I have been doing that since then. After several months in that role, I started to prep for the PMP exam. It was a mind numbing and extremely stressful journey. Oh, I forgot to mention that we just welcomed our son into the world during this prep time (Never prep for a major exam during the first year of having your first child). I got approved to take my exam and scheduled it. I went in feeling confident that I would pass, but I was soon met with the harsh reality that around only 20% pass their first try. I fell in the 80%. It was extremely discouraging, but I picked myself back up and scheduled a second attempt. Although I did better the second time, it was still not enough to pass. I basically said well this is not meant for me to have it and I didn't think about it again. Flash forward to 2020, COVID hit and I got caught in the COVID RIF at my job. A few months later I took another IT PM role. After a year there I told myself that its time to revisit the thought of preparing for the PMP exam. So I cleared it with my new job and they covered me attending another boot camp (I attended one and audited another during my last prep at the other job), and I started to prep. The company I worked for bought out another company and finding time during that merger to study was nearly impossible so I put off applying to take the exam. Things started to change at this company that I felt like weren't going to aid me in advancing in my career so I started job hunting and took a new IT PM position at another company. That was the best decision I made. From day one I expressed wanting to get my PMP and my new boss was 100% behind me. 2025 started and my boss pushed me to take another boot camp. I took my 3rd boot camp at the end of March and it went well until the class was over and the nerves started to set in. The realization of now I have a ticking clock due to the class having a if you don't pass the first time they will pay for me to retake it clause with a 90 day from the end of the class deadline to get the retake if needed. So I applied, got approved, and put my head down and studied like I have never studied before. I wanted to take the test in person, but the places within 15 minutes of me either had an opening before I felt like I would be prepared or one past my 90 day deadline. I looked at places a bit further away from me and then I noticed a place I haven't thought about in quite some time, Jones College in Ellisville, MS. I have strong connections there as that is where I obtained my Associates degree from many moons ago. I took it as a sign, plus the opening was for the day before the 90 day deadline. I went to sit for the exam and as I drove onto campus, I felt this calming presence come over me. I went into the exam building, one that I had been in tons of time before, and got checked in. Started the exam and as I went through the questions, I felt like I wasn't doing well. I finished the exam and went to check out. The lady at the front slid a piece of paper face down to me. I was so nervous when flipping that piece of paper over, but when I did, it read PASS!! Not only did I pass, but I got AT (Above Target) in all three knowledge areas they test for! I was so relieved and so excited! I waited until I got into my car to let out all my excitement! Then I remembered, I don't have to worry about the retake clause! I finally obtained my PMP, but the thought has creeped into my head, what cert do I work toward next?