Is it more difficult to obtain employment in the civilian sector if you obtained your degree too far in advanced before retiring?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 10:53:28 -0500

Is it more difficult to find employment in the civilian sector if you obtained your degrees to far in advanced before retiring?

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Feb 27 at 2018 10:56 AM

PVT Mark Brown — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 10:56:29 -0500

I can't see what difference it would make as compared to obtaining a degree 20 years ago, 4 years of graduating from high school.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2018 11:02 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 11:02:50 -0500

Finding employment is conducting your own research into what profession you want to be in, network with folks in that profession and at the company where you want to work.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Feb 27 at 2018 11:03 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 11:03:15 -0500

Once you have yr degree that's what employers look at. IMO it makes little difference if it was recently or 20 years ago. Some employers will substitute experience for a degree.

Response by CSM Chuck Stafford made Feb 27 at 2018 11:03 AM

CSM Chuck Stafford — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 11:03:24 -0500

Get your degree when you can -- it will assist in your military career progression also. As you approach transitioning from the Army, obtaining a degree should not and need not be one of your concerns. I've seen too many wait until the last minute to get their degree; retirement is a significant emotional event and you don't need the additional stress.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Feb 27 at 2018 11:04 AM

Capt Brandon Charters — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 11:04:39 -0500

I don't think there is ever a bad time to get a degree. Just try to ensure it's relevant to the industry and type of work you eventually want to transition into. When it comes to technology or other advanced fields, getting additional certifications as you get closer to transition will help as well.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Feb 27 at 2018 11:06 AM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 11:06:47 -0500

It depends on the degree. If you have a Bachelor's in Computer Science and did not get into an MOS that could have enhanced your college degree, then probably. Humanity degrees typically don't have an expiration date, e.g. BA in English, Math, or Music. English and Reading hasn't changed since I was a child in the 60s, compared to a BS in Computer Science. Computers and Technology has evolved many times over since the 80s and 90s. You might need to consider attending college once again, after leaving the military. Just a thought.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Feb 27 at 2018 11:08 AM

SSG Brian G. — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 11:08:00 -0500

Nope, in fact it is easier on a person who has received their degree far in advance. The reason for this is that they have their degree and have had a chance to use it and gain experience in it. Plus there is continuing education in the degrees such as IT and other fields that have a tendency to change and evolve over time.

A lot of employers view fresh graduates as young, green and inexperienced and while a few prefer that, most will take an experienced person over an inexperienced one hands down. It shows not just knowledge, but the wisdom that comes through the application of that knowledge.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Feb 27 at 2018 11:10 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 11:10:01 -0500

I worked in both the private and public sector as a hiring manager. Often experience and accomplishment will trump education. Recent education may be great for a highly technical field, such as cyber security, but otherwise a track record of accomplishments in jobs of increasing responsibility is better. Companies or Government agencies may look for "recent graduates" for some jobs. They often are entry level jobs with fairly low pay. The organization is probably looking to hire low and then grow an employee with the needed knowledge, skills, and abilities within their own training programs; or they are just cheap and will exploit your knowledge and abilities until you burn out. For management jobs, a degree is often a "requirement" but more of a square filler. The company or organization may want all of their project managers to have at least a bachelors degree and be a certified Project Management Professional. They will advertise for that and usually hire against that standard. Sometimes Government contractors will be hiring against a contract specific requirement. For example, they may have promised the Government that all of their "Senior Analyst" labor category personnel will "have a Masters Degree or 10 years relevant specialized experience." The Government may never check the qualifications of the people on the project, but I always did. Read the job requirements carefully and shape your resume to match. If the employer puts education up front in the job requirements, put the education block near the top of your resume. That way the HR person can see it, check off the requirement, and possibly put your resume in the "look at" pile for the hiring manager. If education isn't mentioned, then put the education block after the experience block on your resume. My bottom line: it's best to have both education and experience. Often experience with great accomplishments is better than a degree.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 28 at 2018 12:01 AM

LTC Jason Mackay — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 00:01:38 -0500

I got my current job based on an engineering degree from 1994...and all the experience I racked up in the Army. This may vary by field, but I don't think this is a show stopper. Experience counts.

Response by SSG Alex Toulomelis made Mar 1 at 2018 12:17 PM

SSG Alex Toulomelis — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 12:17:58 -0500

Focus on experience and how you can bring value to an organization through that experience. The education is basically an very expensive check the block.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 4 at 2018 10:58 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 10:58:18 -0500

Not if you keep up in your degree field.

Response by SSgt James Atkinson made Mar 4 at 2018 9:12 PM

SSgt James Atkinson — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 21:12:46 -0500

Civilian employers are more interested in experience than they are the degree. Yes, many positions require a degree, and they will not care when you earned it, merely that you have one, and they will be way more interested in your experience.