Do you prefer to be a specialist or generalist in a field?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 13:17:59 -0400

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Oct 18 at 2015 1:23 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 13:23:29 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member I like generalist so I can be universal to the organization.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 18 at 2015 2:57 PM

SPC David S. — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 14:57:40 -0400

As a generalist fits in more places easier to get hired. Specialist may make more money but a limited number of positions.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Oct 18 at 2015 7:10 PM

SGT Patrick Reno — Sun, 18 Oct 2015 19:10:33 -0400

In my field you have to be a generalist. That is what brought me into the field I work in. Who wants to do the same thing every day. Plus it always gives me more fields I could have branched out in.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 19 at 2015 11:54 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 23:54:34 -0400

A specialist is a generalist who committed to something, and in my opinion, that represents a key step in professional development.

By constraining what you have to know or do, you can become a subject matter expert. Specialization serves to differentiate and articulate a skill set, which can be protective in a career. This is why graduate degrees tend to become more specific, or why subspecialized physicians are better compensated, or why a whole alphabet soup of certifications exist in the IT world, and so on.

Response by SFC George Smith made Oct 18 at 2016 3:41 AM

SFC George Smith — Tue, 18 Oct 2016 03:41:30 -0400

thats a loaded question... some times you have to be a little of both...
My primary MOS was an 18-E Communications Specialist /NCO, but I gad to Have general Knowledge of Weapons 18-B and Demo/Construction 18-C, and having a Previous Background in the Medical Field as a "91B (EMT W/ATLS training )" so I acted was the 3rd Team Medic 18-D and as an E-6 went to The SF O & I (Operations and Intel ) The same as SF ANOC... But it's an 18-F...
Every one on the Team Had their own individual Specialties and were seriously Cross trained in at leas 2 or 3 other MOS's...
Not sure about the rest but Thats The SF world...