COSC Questions Answered Here :)

[burbuja0512]

Let me first apologize for the length of this response. I felt certain comments could be taken the wrong way without definition. Plus, if you haven't noticed before, I'm a talker.

If you want a quick test out degree I would definitely pursue liberal arts. In my professional experience when you mention a liberal arts degree there are no implied expectations. Unless you've been in hiring committee meetings or behind closed doors with leadership this will be hard to explain and is the reason most say any degree is ok if only to check a box, or, if you are going for your masters.

Yes, I guess by looking over a few of the templates on this forum you could test out of a BSBA but personally, I would not do it. First, you have no true writing or communication experience. Second, no GPA (and I am not referring to one basket weaving course); those of us who have work experience do not include GPA on resumes but it is requested on applications. Third and most important, to me anyway, it would be quite embarrassing to have a lot of test knowledge but no practical experience, learned or otherwise, to link those shortcuts to. The business world, at least in my industry, is ruthless; the interview process alone can make the ill prepared sick.

IMHO, you should take some courses at a community college, tesc, or any other school. It's not an easy program by any means. I've got 15+ yrs bus exp, 30 tesc crs, 21 cc crs, and at present 100+ testing/alternate course crs. I mention all that to say, I am currently studying for the tecep (test date Thursday) and am a ball of nerves.

I sure hope God smiles on me the day of the test.

You'll have to let us know how the TECEP goes! I didn't ever take one due to the prohibitive cost for non-TESC students so I am very curious.

I agree with you on the Liberal Arts degree and also about how cruel the business world can be. Ha ha and I'm in sales, so I deal with the worst of the worst in the business world. UGH...

Anyhow.. one other comment on Liberal Arts, but it can be said for any other non-specific degree. Be prepared to do a little bit more. Yes, you can get your Liberal Arts degree quicker than some others, but it doesn't show that you're prepared for any single profession. It shows that you are well-rounded and possibly that you can adapt to many learning situations, but that's about it. If you want to go down a career path, expect to add one or more of the following:
-graduate degree
-professional certificates
-lots of experience in your ideal field
-volunteer work and/or internship in your ideal field

I'm not knocking the Liberal Arts degree and like I said, any degree that isn't specialized need a bit more. The great thing about a testing degree is that you can hurry up and get past the undergraduate part of it. After all, the undergrad is what is usually the most time-consuming and expensive and you'll be WAY ahead of the pack if you can finish in less time and without a ton of college debt.