How has the big "three" furthered your career?

[Inteljustice2]

I'm looking for more motivation to go after a TESC bachelors degree.

I've searched for and read previous threads about the value of a degree and so on. But what I'm curious about is how has your degree helped you in your career or has your degree combined with your work experience provided you with a better job opportunity or has you degree allowed you to reinvent yourself into a different career than what you were previously doing?

I'm not looking for this degree helped me get into this MBA program, etc. I just want specific examples of how a bachelors degree from the big 3 has helped you further your career.

Thank You! :hurray:

[marianne202]

Well, I was laid off from my Con Ed teaching job for not having a degree, even though I was certified in my subject area with 10 yrs exp including 6 successful years at that school. I started at EC and within a month finished my ASLS then I decided I didn't want to be over 45 and unable to find a job or keep a job because of my degree level so I decided to go for my BSHS from EC, enroute EC kept canceling a class I needed to finish so I switched schools and finished my BSLS that got me a new job at another school on the curriculum side which was a step up. Then I moved back to finish my BSHS, with that I was made lead instructor in my health related program. I then decided to go for my MHA since I had finished the other degrees in less than two years. Then in August I was promoted to curriculum coordinator over two programs, I started. So all this has happened in 2.5 years with my BS degrees. I will finish my MHA March 5th and I will start a post-bac certificate Jan 9th. Once I finish my post-bac cert and get certified in another area I have been asked to possibly start another new program and become the program head for all the programs at my school and two programs at another school as a joint venture. So would I say my BS from EC furthered my career....He** YES! That along with hard work, experience and determination, since my MHA and post-bac will contribute. When it is all said and done, if I survive another year of school, I will be considered at a terminal level in my subject area and capable of moving from the community college level I'm currently at, to the university level teaching in bachelor and master's level programs. It has been a long hard few years, but well worth it my opinion. I hope this is the type of information you are looking for. Good luck on your journey!

[ryoder]

At my company, each employee is reviewed quarterly and career development is part of an employee's review.
I was able to list the goal of completing my bachelors degree last year and this year for accomplishments I listed completing two bachelors degrees, an MBA, and earning a CISSP certificate.
I cannot keep that up every year, but that helped me to receive a higher than normal review for the year. Thats about it.
I just like having it because I think managers may feel uneasy about recommending someone for a high level position, if that person has no bachelors degree. Since I now have an MBA, made possible by TESC, I have taken that off the table as a consideration.

The real benefit is the knowledge I have gained, the research skills I have developed, and the sense of accomplishment that I feel after a little over a year of hard work.

In some ways, I wish I could be back in the beginning, learning about CLEP and my options at TESC. It was exciting.

[Inteljustice2]

I appreciate the replies received.

I myself want to check off that I have a bachelors degree for future job prospects not just within my own company but just for economic viability. I've read that people who have bachelors degrees suffer a lower unemployment level than for people that don't have a bachelors. I feel getting my bachelors degree will either fuel a career change from within my company or give me the option to start over with a completely different company in a new field. For example in the company where I work, we have a guy who studied child development but works as a CSR. Probably makes around 50-60k a year and its not even in his field of study.

I'm trying to stay motivated towards testing out of my generals first but working FT and dealing with family stuff, its tough. I'm definitely seeing this as a realistic goal now!

[dcan]

Outside of hard science/engineering/technology the field of the degree is not as relevant as the experience in the field, so to speak, hence your CSR example.

For your education/unemployment reference, you are 100% correct -- those with a 4-year degree have half the unemployment of those with no college experience:

[Lindagerr]

I worked in the science field for over 30 years with no degree. I gained much experience and had more responsibilities, but I worked for smaller companies (one-5 people) and I was with them a long time. When I looked into jobs in bigger companies the lack of a degree was a problem.

I was bored wanted something new and just wanted a degree for my own satisfaction. I started out getting my AA in general studies from TESC. I had about 40 mostly science credits before but never finished anything. Once I got the AA I started teaching as a Substitute I realized I love teaching so I went on for my BA in Natural Science & Mathematics. Once I completed that I became Certified to get a teaching job in NJ. I only applied for 1 job and I came in 2nd out of over 80 applicants. I have had headhunters call me for Laboratory jobs and I know I could get a teaching job if I worked at it.

I am over 50 and not sure I want to work full time, besides I will be moving out of NJ in the near future. Having my degree even from one of "the Big 3" has opened many doors for me. I have already spoken to some schools in NY and they would love to have me as a Sub (A good way to get in to a full time job) I have also been told of some interesting possibilities in Lab work in NY.

So for me the degree has been a big boost to my self esteem and opened many oppertunities even at my age.

[RA808]

In my industry, experience is way more important. And talent. Often job listings will say "bachelor's degree or equivalent experience".

That said, once I get my AA (and maybe BA a year or 2 later?) I'll be more confident that I meet the arbitrary HR standards at any company I choose to move to.

[dcan]

I should clarify. I meant it is harder to get a job as a chemist or physicist or engineer without the theoretical background provided by the degree, not that you are locked out of the field entirely if you don't have it. I think if nothing else it is just that much easier for the boss to justify to his bosses why you are getting the job when he can show that you have the education required vs having to explain how your experience compensates.

Not always fair, just sayin' it is what it is.

[Inteljustice2]

Reading these posts have given me the motivation to study harder for General Biology Clep. I was getting discouraged as I have only put around 25 hours into it and I'm still doing pretty poorly on the practice tests. Even at age 30 I'm still hoping for the ability to retain the information needed to pass my exam. I do admit to studying only around an hour every night on weekdays when I work, my goal is to refocus my efforts and hopefully maintain the ability to pass my first clep exam in 3 years. This time I'm hoping not to do it the half assed way and actually stick with it to the ultimate outcome: A bachelors degree.

Just to clarify I wasn't trying to insult the value of education or what it meant to you. I am trying to justify why I need to obtain a degree not only to expand my future career options but also to boost my confidence, that this a goal that is realistic and doable in 2 years or less.

I was just curious whether future employers questioned the "school" it came from vs. a b&m school.

[marianne202]

Some employers don't care, some specific industries such as accounting, nursing or those looking for MBA's look for accredited school programs that are accredited through credentialing agencies. Academia usually only want regionally accredited degrees, but the specific school isn't an issue as long as they are RA accredited. If you think this might be an issue for you I suggest you review job ads for the types of employment that are aiming for, usually the educational requirements will be listed. As for completing a degree in under two years, it is more than possible. I was 45 when I started this journey just under 3 years ago, so if I can complete 2 bachelor's degrees and a master's degree in 3 years while working full-time and taking care of a house and kids, you can do a degree in 2 years. Just set a weekly goal and make a schedule to keep you on track, then follow it. I was off on Friday's and that was my test days, usually 2-3 exams per month. It does get easier as you learn your best studying routine. I mostly used just the IC flashcards, specific exam feedback and supplements such as SparkCharts. Good luck!