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+--- Thread: Best for Federal Biology jobs? (/Thread-Best-for-Federal-Biology-jobs)
Best for Federal Biology jobs? - bethanyneedsajob - 07-31-2019
As of right now... Which of the Big 3 would be best for getting a Biology degree to get a federal job? Like Parks and Forestry or CDC types of Biologist jobs. I was thinking maybe Excelsior might be best recognized by a background check team, but COSC would be easiest to complete on our end (plus I've done the most research on COSC for our daughter and myself).
Also, any input which college is most flexible/inexpensive with earning upper level credits? His first 81 credits are from traditional schools (B&M or University of Phoenix). My partner has decided he needs to get started on a generic Natural Sciences or Biology degree.
RE: Best for Federal Biology jobs? - Ideas - 08-01-2019
Does he already have UL Biology credits? How many and which ones?
What about lab credits? Does he have Chem II with Lab, Bio II with Lab, Physics Labs, Org Chem Labs?
Natural Sciences would be quicker to complete, but I think it would be harder to compete after graduating.
RE: Best for Federal Biology jobs? - dfrecore - 08-02-2019
I'm going to list some degrees at schools that will take 90cr of transfer including ACE, no idea if these will work for him, they aren't biology, but they're something to look at if he wants Parks/Forestry especially.
SNHU - Environmental Science, Geo Sciences
UMUC - Environmental Management
Wilmington University - Environmental Science & Policy
Otherwise, I would look at on-campus programs at your local college to see about your UL courses.
You might also search this forum for things from Santantone, she has an interest in this and has lots written about it.
RE: Best for Federal Biology jobs? - Life Long Learning - 08-02-2019
The Feds only care that it's accredited. The Big 3 will all be the same to them. They are check-the-box degrees, not Ivy degrees.
RE: Best for Federal Biology jobs? - bethanyneedsajob - 08-03-2019
(08-02-2019, 08:20 PM)Life Long Learning Wrote: The Feds only care that it's accredited. The Big 3 will all be the same to them. They are check-the-box degrees, not Ivy degrees.
That’s what I needed to know. But will that box be checked off for a COSC Bachelors of Science with concentration in Biology? There are some good veterans preference jobs out there that require that on USAjobs. I tried talking to COSC career placement services and got a run-around answer of “I always tell people to ask where you’re applying”... sigh that means a big fat “I don’t know and don’t care”.
(08-02-2019, 02:25 PM)dfrecore Wrote: I'm going to list some degrees at schools that will take 90cr of transfer including ACE, no idea if these will work for him, they aren't biology, but they're something to look at if he wants Parks/Forestry especially.
SNHU - Environmental Science, Geo Sciences
UMUC - Environmental Management
Wilmington University - Environmental Science & Policy
Otherwise, I would look at on-campus programs at your local college to see about your UL courses.
You might also search this forum for things from Santantone, she has an interest in this and has lots written about it.
Thanks! Yes, I have a list from her that I’ve used to help fill a degree plan I started on for a COSC BS with concentration in Biology. I know the most about COSC since I’ve been researching it for myself and my daughter. As long as the COSC degree will work for him, he’s willing to take his time with online classes through assorted colleges or alternative credits (but he’s old-school thinking and likes the idea of RA credits through colleges too, and not in a super hurry).
RE: Best for Federal Biology jobs? - Life Long Learning - 08-03-2019
(08-03-2019, 04:40 PM)bethanyneedsajob Wrote:(08-02-2019, 08:20 PM)Life Long Learning Wrote: The Feds only care that it's accredited. The Big 3 will all be the same to them. They are check-the-box degrees, not Ivy degrees.
That’s what I needed to know. But will that box be checked off for a COSC Bachelors of Science with concentration in Biology? There are some good veterans preference jobs out there that require that on USAjobs. I tried talking to COSC career placement services and got a run-around answer of “I always tell people to ask where you’re applying”... sigh that means a big fat “I don’t know and don’t care”.
My Fed office all know I have a degree, but none know from where. None of us care! Only the HR folks who first screen you out will know. They will check the national website to see that YOUR Big 3 college is Regionally accredited and good to go. When I was young the Feds would not accept National accreditation, but that has loosed up. DOD may still not. The good news is all of the Big 3 have been Regionally accredited (gold standard) since 1971.
Phase II is to sell yourself in the interview.
Some accounting Fed jobs require not just a degree, but a certain number of accounting credits. I think some have BS business degrees and go to the local CC to take additional accounting credits. Best to research it.
Are you a Veteran with 10-points? That does help in many Fed jobs.
RE: Best for Federal Biology jobs? - bethanyneedsajob - 08-03-2019
Not sure how the points work? He put in 5 years usmc. Would that be 5 points?
RE: Best for Federal Biology jobs? - Life Long Learning - 08-03-2019
(08-03-2019, 04:58 PM)bethanyneedsajob Wrote: Not sure how the points work? He put in 5 years usmc. Would that be 5 points?
If they have no VA disability rating they might only get 5-Points, but that is still useful.
10-Points = Disabled Vets (10%+ ratings)
https://www.opm.gov/faqs/QA.aspx?fid=a9a3f49e-901d-42e1-a720-442a0393c6df&pid=a224876c-e8ae-4591-8ed0-af9b42961795
5-Points
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/veterans-services-faqs/
RE: Best for Federal Biology jobs? - bethanyneedsajob - 08-03-2019
(08-03-2019, 05:05 PM)Life Long Learning Wrote:(08-03-2019, 04:58 PM)bethanyneedsajob Wrote: Not sure how the points work? He put in 5 years usmc. Would that be 5 points?
If they have no VA disability rating they might only get 5-Points, but that is still useful.
10-Points = Disabled Vets (10%+ ratings)
https://www.opm.gov/faqs/QA.aspx?fid=a9a3f49e-901d-42e1-a720-442a0393c6df&pid=a224876c-e8ae-4591-8ed0-af9b42961795
5-Points
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/veterans-services/veterans-services-faqs/
Got it. Thanks for the clarification.