Peer Career Implications of an Academic Credential: Report from the Field

Thousands of peer workers are trained, certified, and employed throughout the United States. Although the importance of education in behavioral health career development is well documented, almost no current literature is available on academic peer career development. This article reports on peer and nonpeer educational and employment outcomes following completion of a credit-bearing community college mental health certificate program. Implications and recommendations for peer workforce development are identified. Peer and nonpeer certificate program graduates' employment and educational outcomes were obtained in 1997, 2001, and 2004–06 through surveys and interviews. Peer and nonpeer graduates obtained part-time and full-time employment in a variety of behavioral health and human services positions at a range of salaries. A considerable proportion of all graduates subsequently obtained higher degrees. Peer graduates also reported positive impact on self-esteem. Credit-bearing educational opportunities can assist in peer employment and career development. As increasing numbers of certified peer workers are employed in health and behavioral health settings, higher education opportunities can be an important career development strategy. Coordinated national efforts are recommended to link certification and academic programs. Collaboration among peer training programs, behavioral health providers, and educational institutions is suggested to infuse curricula with recovery-oriented content.