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​Inside This Issue

Stoke Your Motivation With Instructor-Led Online Classes!

Motivation is like a spark. Something with the potential to transform your life suddenly inspires you to grow as a person. Making a plan for action is the fuel to grow your motivation from that first spark to a glowing flame. Consider enrolling in a CEBS® online class to stoke your motivation as you learn. A weekly schedule encourages you to move forward on your learning journey. Your instructor's study tools and expertise help you grasp new knowledge and make it your own as you prepare for your CEBS exam. The CEBS designation distinguishes you as the ideal candidate—both a thinker with solid theoretical knowledge and a doer who knows how to apply it strategically! Now is the time to forge ahead in your career. 

An instructor-led online class helps you step up your independent study efforts. Learn from a benefits industry expert who will provide you with personal insights about this field. With an internet connection, log in to your class at your convenience during the 12-week session! The class contains tools and content that have been created and curated to enhance your learning of relevant knowledge and critical skills. Benefit from being part of a community of like-minded learners, and master the course so you test confidently on your CEBS exam day. With an online class, you get:

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Online Class Schedule

​Spring 2020

January 27 through April 17, 2020

​Summer 2020

May 18 through August 7, 2020

​Three Tips to Study Smarter With Hygge Studying

Hygge is the Danish cultural concept of living your best life by imbuing it with coziness and enjoying togetherness and simple pleasures. Since many areas will experience cool, rainy or snowy seasons in the upcoming months, now is the time to get inspired to curl up with your CEBS Study Guide and prepare to savor sweet success.

1Think tactile. The sense of touch keeps you grounded and focused on the moment. Flip through the pages of your Study Guide and textbook. Choose a special notebook just for CEBS-related content, and take notes by hand with your favorite type of pen. Writing out your notes has been shown to lead to better retention of new content.

2Get social. We’re better together as learners. It’s nice to get perspective from others and have someone to ask questions and discuss new ideas with. Meet up with your co-workers in the CEBS program for coffee and have a study group. Consider taking a CEBS online class to join a community of learners like you.

3Create comfort. Add the little things you love to your study ritual to make it cozy and pleasant.  Hot tea, plants or succulents, candles, comfortable clothing, meditation music—Pairing up things you enjoy with a task you would like to accomplish creates a pleasant mental association that motivates you to continue.

​What's Your CEBS Story? The Spotlight Is on You!

​Share Your Story

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​Scott Wertheim, CEBS


Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor

CAPTRUST

Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Scott on how expanding his professional network has supported him in obtaining his designation and attaining success:
 
“I obtained my designation a number of years ago (it feels like too many to count) when I was just starting out in the retirement plan advisory business. I selected the CEBS program because it covered the entire spectrum of benefits and, at the time, I had very little experience. My original goal was to gain some academic experience within retirement plans, but I quickly noticed the depth of topics available across the other remaining courses. While completing the coursework on my own, I started to network with benefit professionals who either had or were pursuing the designation. The initial connections helped keep me motivated to follow through with achieving the designation while also expanding my network of benefit professionals. This came in handy as I moved into a consulting role and started to engage directly with plan sponsors.”
 
Scott’s insight about how pursuing the CEBS designation demonstrated that he’s a lifelong learner and an expert in employee benefits:
 
“Obtaining the CEBS designation is only the first step on a long, never-ending journey for self-improvement and advancement of knowledge. Other credentials do not have the same breadth of coursework. I could have easily focused solely on retirement and not engaged in the other areas of the benefits world. However, selecting the CEBS designation shows a desire to constantly learn about all types of benefits, which is a challenging, broad field of study. There is no shortage of learning opportunities. I also believe that learning goes beyond the academic side of the program. Learning for me involves being active with my local chapter, colleagues and friends. This helps further my development and expertise in the field as well as be a positive member of our community.”

 
How Scott studied for his CEBS exam and applied what he learned to his work:
 
“I chose the self-study approach for my CEBS exams. I spent a lot of time prepping for exams during the evenings while trying to learn my job during the day. The two new skills were intertwined because the academic content I studied at night was fresh on my mind during the day. This turned out to be very helpful and allowed me to add value to our firm’s clients while building my own credibility, since I was starting out with very little experience. Without being prepared and engaged in the program, I believe my career growth would have been slower and may have taken a different turn.”

Scott on how earning his CEBS designation has supported and transformed his role:
 
“Once I completed my courses and received the designation, I was immediately recognized by my boss, and my accomplishment was announced to the entire firm. This was viewed positively by senior management since it was not a requirement for my job and I was the only one in the firm at the time to have the CEBS designation. By this time, I was directly involved with supporting our retirement plan clients and starting to branch out into business development. It was during my initial sales efforts when I noticed that I was receiving favorable attention from fellow CEBS graduates or individuals working through the program on their own. To this day, the CEBS designation on my business card often results in discussions about the program. The CEBS designation has opened doors to opportunities for working with people who would otherwise not be interested in hearing from ‘another consultant.’ It provides a common ground from which a relationship can be developed. Everyone who has completed the program or is in the process knows the commitment required to achieve the designation, and I have found that leads to a new level of respect.”


Are you interested in sharing your CEBS story? Please email us at cebs@ifebp.org to submit it. We'll help you to develop a great article.

​CEBS Student Survey

​Meet the Instructor

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​Ryan Olson, CEBS, CFP

RPA 2—Directing Retirement Plans Part 2

Ryan on the value of the CEBS program:

"The coursework built within the CEBS designation will help broaden your understanding and knowledge of employee benefits. More importantly, what you learn in the coursework will expand the value you bring to your organization."

​Course Corner

All study materials are available through the International Foundation. Order forms are found in the CEBS Catalog, online at www.cebs.org or by contacting CEBS at (800) 449-2327, option 3, or cebs@ifebp.org. Please check your online Study Guide or the Readings Update page for any study materials updates.


​CEBS catalog covers

Highlights From the 38th Annual ISCEBS Employee Benefits Symposium

​The 38th Annual Symposium took place September 8-11, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Here's a look back at some of its highlights and a CEBS graduate's story.

2019 Symposium Highlights

 Relevant, Rigorous and Rewarding

 The Logic of Effective Employee Communication



​New Graduates

June-September 2019

​CEBS Graduates


Group Benefits Associates (GBAs)


Retirement Plans Associates (RPAs)


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