When examining career pathways, post-secondary institutions such as community colleges align education and training to career success, aiming to connect students to gainful employment. Career pathways support the skill needs of industries and incorporate competencies in an occupation or field represented by certificates and degrees awarded by the college and by industry exams to prepare students for certification. Industry-recognized credentials are often incorporated into certificate and degree programs to help community college students progress along the education continuum while earning credentials with labor market value. These credentials include portability, correlate with career and technical education programs, and provide evidence of skill attainment aligned with industry needs to support a student's career success. This mixed methods study examined student benefits of earning professional designations, including improved career prospects and enhanced earning power. This researcher evaluated whether credentialed community college students are more marketable in the employment arena and better prepared to succeed in the workplace. This study also analyzed if industry-recognized credentials help community college students validate their knowledge and skills and earn higher wages. The results of this study did not show if an industry-recognized certification shows that someone who has demonstrated the knowledge and skills to perform a job is more successful in their career as part of a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program of study. However, the research indicates that industry-recognized credentials can support student career success. Credentials can demonstrate to employers that a student has the necessary skills and knowledge to be successful in a particular field and is more marketable. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]