How has the big "three" furthered your career?

[scorched]

Guess I will be somewhat of a naysayer, but I may be one of the exceptions to the rule, my current job wanted a masters degree, "required" a bachelors, and it got waived because of my hard work and history of success.
The other thing for me is I take my job super seriously, I keep my certs current, and I am constantly learning new advanced topics and theories. I also don't hide my knowledge from others, I try to mentor or share everything I know and I pull friends and family up the knowledge ladder when I can. And I am aware there are smarter people out there, but because of my work ethics and moral grounding, employers call me constantly trying to get me to leave my current job.

Now with that said I am pursuing my degree at a big 3 because I want to be able to say I have it, and hope that it might open up a few jobs where a PHD is wanted, the masters is required but I can get that waived as well.

The icing for me is that according to DCANs graph I make more than double what the median doctoral and professional degree holder makes with my measly 80 credits and 16 years of experience not including my bonuses. So i am living proof you don't need a degree to be successful, sometimes its just hard work. And it's pretty sad that the no degree person, is constantly consulting the MBA's and such of the CIO/CTO world on how to run their business better.

But in the end, having it will be better than not having as a fallback.

[Inteljustice2]

I'd agree that there are exceptions to the rule.

Example #1: One of my best friends works for the railroad as a conductor, makes 60k a year, and all it required was a H.S. diploma. If he lasts, he will eventually be making 80K a year.

Example #2: My ex g/f was unemployed for 9 months last year. Worked as an admin assistant, went to countless job interviews, then one company showed a lot of interest. Job description read bachelors degree, (she had previous college credits, but nothing in the last 10 years) but through her experience and certifications, they liked her enough to hire her. Starting pay was 45k a year I believe.

Example #3: I work in a specialized industry so it pays more than a generalized industry would. I only have a h.s. diploma and earn north of 40k a year. (Probably 45k a year next year) My desire grows out of a career change. Being at my age and not going for the field I'm interested in just because I'm currently comfortable with my paycheck would be a sin. The American dream is to go after what your ideal lifestyle is. Right now I might be considered a success in other peoples eyes, but in my own, until I receive that degree, I'm only partly successful.

Example #4: A good friend since H/S, attended college right after graduation, got a bachelors in B.A. Decided to party a little too hard during college, had 2 kids, and now is a server at Olive Garden. He attended college but hasn't done much with his life. He had a chance when he worked at Dell to move to Chicago and take a corporate gig a few years back, he declined.

Some people have the drive, desire, and ambition to get through life without a college education. In my opinion getting a college education will be similar to people who preach about the military, it'll equip me with the tools I need to further succeed in life. Having the knowledge that even if I fail in my career change, I will have gained the experience and wisdom to reach my full potential.

What makes it even more difficult for my own perspective is working in a blue collar industry. A lot of my fellow work colleagues don't see why getting an education is important. Their perspective definitely makes it difficult to even really discuss at the work place as most are just happy that they have jobs and make good money for what they do. I just can't let myself be bogged down by dogma and the opinions of others. Once I get my mind set on a goal, 9/10 I will accomplish that goal. Everyone has their own idea on what career success is defined as. I just happen to desire that a degree according to stats and figures that coupled with my experience will give me an edge when I do try to change my job or get promoted in the future.

[dcan]

Some people have the drive, desire, and ambition to get through life without a college education. In my opinion getting a college education will be similar to people who preach about the military, it'll equip me with the tools I need to further succeed in life. Having the knowledge that even if I fail in my career change, I will have gained the experience and wisdom to reach my full potential.

You nailed it. It's something you can do, and when you are done you will be proud you accomplished it. I am planning to move on to a grad degree, simply because the level of effort I see as required for an undergrad degree is quite low in comparison and I feel I need a grad degree to perform at the level I expect in my job. That is completely my expectation levied upon myself, but it will open many doors for me in the future as well.

What makes it even more difficult for my own perspective is working in a blue collar industry. A lot of my fellow work colleagues don't see why getting an education is important. Their perspective definitely makes it difficult to even really discuss at the work place as most are just happy that they have jobs and make good money for what they do. I just can't let myself be bogged down by dogma and the opinions of others. Once I get my mind set on a goal, 9/10 I will accomplish that goal. Everyone has their own idea on what career success is defined as. I just happen to desire that a degree according to stats and figures that coupled with my experience will give me an edge when I do try to change my job or get promoted in the future.

Beware the Crabs!

One thing I've found is that, when growing personally, sometimes you have to shed the skin that constricts you. Sometimes it is particular family members, sometimes friends, sometimes habits and beliefs. But almost always something must be put down and left behind in order to grow.

That sounds harsher than I really mean, but I think the point is relevant.

[RA808]

I'd agree that there are exceptions to the rule.

You can cite me too. Only a few credits to my name, and I make six figures. I'm also under 30. I'm finishing an AA, then a BS/BA for personal reasons more than career.

Not to toot my own horn, but I always attributed my success to a high level of intelligence and motivation despite my lack of formal education.

Autonomy, initiative and a good dose of smarts is tantamount to success. If you don't have those in place, all the education in the world won't make a difference. I've seen too many friends blow $200k educations on a "career" as a Starbucks barista.

[Inteljustice2]

I definitely agree with crab mentality. Unfortunately their is a lot of that in this company, everyone is so afraid to lose the position on where they've gotten to. I know the economy is tough, but where would you be without taking risks?

The interesting point about where I am in my life is that in my last job, I was heavily involved in other aspects of the company, serving on the budget, safety, training committee and taking part in focus groups. Where as in this company, I'm only involved up to the point of where I do my job. As much as I'd like to consider myself a success, I do feel a career change is needed because I'm not growing at the same rate in this job as I was in my last job. The main reason I'm holding on to where I am, is because of the poor economy and not having a degree. To me once I get my degree, that will be my rebirth into a new career field.

I also agree with having to make a sacrifice and shed something to achieve success, whether it be family member, friend, or habit. I've shed a few family members along the way because they couldn't understand my level of commitment for my career and my need for independence. In reality have the autonomy to make your own choices in life will bring you success. I've looked back on a lot of career changes I've made over the years, and every time I consulted a "certain" family member they always objected to my choices, yet I've ignored the "crab" and succeeded anyways even if it has meant stepping on some toes to get there.

[fromthisdesk]

I am not pursuing a degree through the Big 3 -- have chosen SUNY - Empire State instead. Will I earn more money? Probably not. Will it open more doors? I would be very disappointed and surprised if it didn't. It is a very personal thing for me -- I make a very good salary with no BS. My job tasks me with the management of 100's of people and is very rewarding. But, I know that I have reached the end of my career track without a degree. Although I am thought highly of in my current position, there is a bias towards me because of the lack of a degree (most of my peers are engineers). Getting an engineering degree online is impractical but there are other science degrees that are acceptable (Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry or Physics come to mind) Only the ES degree can be had through Distance Learning as the labs are hard to come by in the upper level classes (if someone knows how to get the labs, please let me know). My goal is to finish the BS (late 2012) and move immediately into a Master's program. Good luck to all on their efforts.

[IrishJohn]

I can't say that my TESC BA has helped me yet, but it could one day in the future. Who knows? After not getting my degree in my 20s it was more a personal goal to finally finish one now. For one thing it sets a good example for the youngsters, even if they choose to not go to college but a vocational/trade school instead. I'm now back working on a 2nd degree, this time in business, that I hope will have more of a positive impact on my career.

[Shawn A]

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:

I'll share my daughter's experience.

She completed an AA through COSC at age 17. 2/3 earned by credit by exam. Received a Marriott Scholarship to attend Southern Virginia University.

BTW - GPA at SVU is 3.93.

Shawn

[burbuja0512]

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:

LOL... but what if the answer is "this degree helped me get into the MBA program of my dreams?"

I'm mid-career and have been in B2B sales and sales management for years. A bachelor's degree at my level is an assumption and the lack of one was an embarrassment for years, but in sales, experience does trump a degree, though it's increasingly harder to get hired without one.

My MBA program is what's really going to take my career in the direction that I want, which is to move towards international business. Even though I'm a long ways away from completion, people at my company have taken notice and my job is slowly shifting towards a global role. Without the bachelor's, I may or may not have been considered for more international work, I can't be certain. I do know that my MBA program has definitely earned me more respect and given me quite a bit more confidence in seeking the position I desire.


Edit to add: Here is a thought - if you get a degree, you'll always have one. Sometimes it will help you and sometimes it won't seem to matter. However, you will never, feel like you aren't reaching your potential due to lack of a bachelors. NOT having one will never be beneficial and HAVING one will eventually help you, even if it's not right away. Trust me on this, I put off degree completion for years. The need for one did not EVER go away. It only gets more difficult as you move up the career ladder. Even if your sole reason for wanting one is just so you don't feel like an idiot when surrounded by your peers, IMHO, that is reason enough.