Sorry for the omission folks. I just thought the money part was a known factor.
What I get from it all? I am still trying to figure this one out. Yes, it will look good on a resume. But will it get me the job? I personally think that for every one person that will be impressed, there will be at least two who could care less and have hostile tendencies towards me because of it.
Immediate rewards seem to be few. I get a nifty certificate that I can frame and hang on the wall or hide in the filing cabinet.
It does offer potential scholarship money, though unless I decide to get my Masters or JD I’m not sure how helpful this feature is to me, as I am a senior right now. Also, as an adult learner, most scholarships are not applicable. Mostly, because you have to show you have been active doing community service. How does one explain, that between work, raising a somewhat upstanding young citizen, school, and taking care of every family crisis that hits the fan, I don't have the time or energy to devote several hours a week to "the community." And if I did, I'd probably have a cleaner house than I do.
I guess my personal thought process is that at some future point, like when I’m in front of the comfirmation committee for the Supreme Court, it might come in handy. You know how academics and congressman love the alphabet soup and membership factor after someone’s name? Of course I will also have to whip out the fact that I was a Boy Scout Explorer for theater and sound engineering. (AND YES, I am a girl – they let me in at a time of extreme enlightenment.)
I will, by the way, have to deny my association with you lot though. Perhaps something similar to the marijuana defense? “I didn’t inhale!” Maybe something along the lines of “I posted, but I didn’t look.” Just call me Judas.
I’ll let you know if I can come up with any other advantages.