Certification vs. Bachelor's Degree vs. Masters Degree vs. Ph.D. Do you need this much education to land the job of your dreams?

SGT Jamell Culbreath — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 16:04:33 -0400

Response by SPC Chad Kolod made Jun 3 at 2015 4:05 PM

SPC Chad Kolod — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 16:05:25 -0400

I am currently researching the same thing! I'll be following this thread!

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 3 at 2015 4:05 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 16:05:54 -0400

SGT Jamell Culbreath, that depends upon your dreams. The higher you climb the fewer jobs will be available at that level, but the more they generally will pay.

Some jobs require degrees or advanced degrees, but I have seen people lose an opportunity they would have been happy to take because they were "over-qualified" and the employer did not believe they would be there long.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 4:09 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 16:09:28 -0400

The level of education depends on the job and job responsibility. I landed a great job with an associates degree where a bachelors degree was required. I have 20 years experience in the current field I'm in (this helps as well). I now have my bachelors degree and will be graduating with my MBA in the fall. You can fill a majority of careers (any level) with a masters degree. What are your thoughts on my analysis?

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 4:12 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 16:12:19 -0400

All of the above. I would work your PMP first, preferably through a university program so you can get credit. Get your degree then work on your MBA. I am not sure the PhD is worth the time or effort. I am many of my industry peers have had that debate.

Response by SGT Jamell Culbreath made Jun 3 at 2015 4:22 PM

SGT Jamell Culbreath — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 16:22:34 -0400

I have my Bachelor's and MBA, as well as a PMP certificate (waiting to sit for PMP exam). However, not many doors have open to match my skill-set, education and professional experience.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made Jun 3 at 2015 4:26 PM

Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 16:26:53 -0400

I agree with Capt Waddell - it depends. Education is great but it can put you at risk if its not needed in your desired position. So maybe the sequence should be to discover your dream job (whatever you enjoy doing and are passionate about) and then match the education to what you need to land there. Whatever you do, don't chase the money and sacrifice your passion. Just my humble opinion.

As a side comment and in my opinion, the MBA may be overrated for most jobs (I think they focus too much on the processes and mechanics and not enough on the leadership). The doctorate should be reserved for research, teaching, consulting, or high level corporate positions. Otherwise, its not worth the commitment as noted by LCDR Wright.

Response by SSG Ralph Innes made Jun 3 at 2015 4:32 PM

SSG Ralph Innes — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 16:32:24 -0400

In my opinion, unless the job you are wanting requires a specific minimal degree, being over-educated could be a deterrent. It seems that good old fashioned experience tends to trump education at times (TSgt Jason Richards a prime example). I would suggest that you find a job that has potential for advancement. That way, your employer can see you taking the initiative to continue your education and thus see the benefit in advancing via promotion.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jun 3 at 2015 4:32 PM

LTC John Shaw — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 16:32:26 -0400

SGT Jamell Culbreath No you don't need formal education to land the job of your dreams. You do need the work ethic and the ability to define the path or find an employer that values you and your current skills.

I have degrees I don't need for my IT job. I loved my MBA and JD coursework but in the end they are unnecessary. I thought I would go into Intellectual Property law, it did not work out that way.

I still could pursue that path but so far I don't see a way I can do it without effectively starting over. Life is about choices, you make some and keep executing your path.

I recommend targeting a type of job and employers (more than one) pursue the degree to the employer/job. The most direct path at minimum with a Bachelor's. If the employer wants you to have the Master's or PHD they will pay for it.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Jun 3 at 2015 5:09 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 17:09:45 -0400

SGT Culbreath:

I am currently working on my Ph.D. in Advance Studies in Behavior, and I have three Masters. In my field being a Chaplain and an advocate I would say absolutely.

I encourage all that have the opportunity to utilize the GI Bill and further your education. I am the first one in my family to go to college.

V/R

CH (CPT) Davis
30 years and still serving!

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Jun 3 at 2015 5:12 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 17:12:40 -0400

At what I want to do? I would need an MBA, a bachelors and some certifications to get there would help. Work experience would also help, networking, I would need a lot to become Chief Information Officer or Director of IT of a large firm.

Response by SPC Candace Leach made Jun 3 at 2015 5:57 PM

SPC Candace Leach — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 17:57:08 -0400

I am currently working on my Masters in Computer Science and will be the first in my family to receive a Masters. I'm close to my dream job but currently in the job field that I went to school for and I enjoy it. I'm even taking the courses that I learned in my Masters program and using it in my current job.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 7:48 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 19:48:17 -0400

Depends on what you want to do.

I like my doctors to have a PHD.
My investment advisor to have a Maters.
My kids teachers to have at least a Bachelors.
My cashier, well if he/she can just give right change on a $10.05 bill when i give them $20.05....i'll be happy.

So as i've said in many posts it all is a matter of perspective.

If you want to be a doctor you need a PHD
If you want to be a CFO/CEO type you need a Masters
If you want to be Teacher, Nurse, Lawyer, etc, you need a Bachelors
If you want to be a mechanic, plumber, barber, chief, etc go a trade school.
If you want to do most anythings else all you need high school degree, and a good work ethic

Some of the most successful people I know never went to college and some of the most miserable people I know have a PHD or multiple Master degrees.

Guess what i'm saying is find what makes you happy, figure out what you need to do get there, and then be true to yourself and follow your bliss

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 8:33 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 20:33:32 -0400

I didn't. I have credits and that's all. And I'm moving up in my career field.

Response by MSgt Jamie Lyons made Jun 3 at 2015 9:18 PM

MSgt Jamie Lyons — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 21:18:24 -0400

Honestly I am not so convinced everyone needs a degree. I have worked with people who had degrees in mechanical engineering and could design a wrench like no one's business. But put that same wrench in thier hands and they are lost! I have an MBA and my daughter thinks I so smart but I tell her having a degree doesn't make you smart, it just means I'm not stupid. Also from an HR perspective, personality accounts just as high as having a degree. Shouldn't be that way but unfortunately it is.

Response by PO2 Skip Kirkwood made Jun 3 at 2015 11:03 PM

PO2 Skip Kirkwood — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 23:03:56 -0400

Depends on what "the job of your dreams" actually is.

If you want to be a college professor, the PhD is a necessity. Otherwise, perhaps not.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jun 4 at 2015 9:12 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 21:12:33 -0400

This is where i'm having a hard time, I just don't know what I want to do, but I need to figure it out quickly.

Response by CPT Bruce Rodgers made Jun 4 at 2015 9:26 PM

CPT Bruce Rodgers — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 21:26:07 -0400

Some licenses require a doctorate and some require a masters

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Jun 8 at 2015 3:47 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Mon, 08 Jun 2015 15:47:36 -0400

This is my perspective from the 80's & 90's. It was imprinted in our brains that after high school we must go to college and get a degree. And then life will take care of itself and a job will follow.

Today, as I transition from the Army and prepare for civilian life, I see how degrees and certifications makes sense when it is part of a plan. Sometimes it is an opportunity presented that reduces the time and or cost of the degree/certification. As we put these degrees and/or certification on our plan ask "why" several times. Sometimes we don't have a good reason, or we have an awesome one.

If the job requires a degree or certification we know the path, we have to earn it. That is half the battle so the resume can reflect the credentials required. The other half of the battle is to have the soft skills, personality, and be a good corporate fit.

Putting all this aside, sometimes its great to go to school simply because we want to learn something and improve ourselves.

Response by SSgt Khanh Pham made Aug 17 at 2015 1:18 PM

SSgt Khanh Pham — Mon, 17 Aug 2015 13:18:03 -0400

I just got back from an international conference for New Horizons. These people are sale force for IT training. One of their priority right now is targeting veteran and using that GI bil for certifications. THey employ many veteran to ensnare or facilitate veterans to go get certified and go looking for a job.

Military currently are not preparing their children well for this decisions to decide between Certifications track vs Bachelor. Which is a more specific question. THe gi bill is limited and will run out. THe certificiations are a on a subscription model, so it is not a one time purchase like Bachelor degree.

I believe military should allot some resources into studying the benefits of these two path which are mutually exclusive due to GI money being limited to 38 months. At the moment the certifications business was successful in getting military to authorize GI spending on IT certs , which remove the potential to use that money for a bachelor. These are life long livelihood that the older folks should study and help advice the younger one, to make a decisions that benefit them the most.

Response by SSG Catherine Jenkins made May 1 at 2017 12:02 AM

SSG Catherine Jenkins — Mon, 01 May 2017 00:02:45 -0400

I'd say you need to figure out if your dream job requires an advanced degree. If it does not require one than start working! Education is great and the GI Bill makes a huge difference but being able to do the work will only come from the work part. My sister worked as a contractor in web design for a government agency and she was the only one that did not have a BA/BS and everyone in the office asked her how to do things.
All universities are not created the same so find a 'good' one. A 'good' college/uni is one that will force you to do critical thinking, not just filling out posts and writing reports. I've taken both types of classes and I'll tell you, if advanced degrees are something you are considering than don't just choose the easy one. I'm currently pursuing a JD (law degree) and I had a steep learning curb.

Good luck

Response by MCPO Brian Legg made May 1 at 2017 5:01 PM

MCPO Brian Legg — Mon, 01 May 2017 17:01:47 -0400

Find your dream job, then speak with people doing that job. Research what it will take to get there and get busy! Beyond the educational credentials you will need to network. Go out and make a friend in the industry. The rest will fall into place.

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made May 30 at 2019 8:56 PM

SGT Steve McFarland — Thu, 30 May 2019 20:56:17 -0400

A LOT of kids are coming out of colleges, eyeball deep in debt, with NO employable job-skills. They are simply "well-educated-idiots".

From the time I was knee-high-to-a-grasshopper, my dad, who was a plumber, training in college to be a Pastor, told me "Learn a skill and you will never go hungry", so I took welding in High School and at Ft. Sill Vo-Tech shortly before I got out of the Army. After I got out of the Army, I got a job as a welder, and after I got married, I went to college for two years and got my ASEET. I was able to parlay my various skills, which eventually included electrical, plumbing, machining and carpentry, to be able to put food the table and a roof over our heads. I never made a lot of money, but I learned to live within my means.

A dear friend of mine got his nursing degree, and while he was working as a nurse, he went to seminary to become a Pastor. He started a small church in a retirement-community in California which has never been able to afford a full-time Pastor, but he didn't NEED a salary, because he fed his family with his nursing income.

I read about a program in the Dakotas for potential-Pastors, which combines theological-training with vocational-training, so when they graduate, they will be prepared to feed their families while being able to serve in a small church which can't afford a full-time Pastor. It is a Certificate program, and opens the Pastorate up to men who couldn't otherwise go to college and seminary.

We can't "outsource" things like nursing, skilled-trades and Pastors, nor can those jobs be shifted "offshore", and there are training-avenues that don't require a college-education or degree.