Continued Education

TheBigDog · 10-06-2006

So here I sit. I am 38 years old. I am married with 4 kids and a full time job. This week I bid on a new job at work and was challenged by an important figure within my company during my interview with him to get an MBA within 2 years because he has plans for me and wants to see me taking initiative to build myself into a more valuable employee. Cost is not a problem as the company will pay for it as long as I get good grades. Up until now motivation has been my problem, for dread of the process. I am in the middle of deciding to make this commitment for the next few years of my life, and I wanted to hear other people's stories as I go through the process.

So, if you have continued your education, what drove you to do it? What are the things you enjoyed, and what are the watch outs that you would try and avid if you did it again? Has your education gotten what you thought it would, and if not, has it gotten you something else instead? For those like me who are just starting, or restarting down the road of higher education, what advice would you give?

You don't need to be in my situation to comment. All stories are valued and welcomed.

Thanks

Bill

TheBigDog · 10-06-2006

My own story is that I have a High School Diploma, and no college. I have 16 years of experience with my current company, and I am trying to find an MBA program that will honor my work experience to grant me admission into their program. I know they are out there, I just need to look.

I plan on taking my GMAT before the end of November and be enrolled in a program beginning in January. I don't know as I sit here if those date are realistic, but they are my targets. I am looking exclusivly at online programs right now so that I can have the maximum opportunity to fit the course work into my life's schedule.

I will post updates here as they happen.

Bill

Cedars · 10-06-2006

Get accredited program education only, especially with the company paying your way. Even if you dont make it, any credits you get, you want to be able to transfer later.

One job I had involved licensing of a type of professional to work in this state. Board of xxxxxx. Anyways, this put me in contact with alot of other licensing divisions within Minnesota. You would be amazed at how many persons have degrees that are worthless when it comes to being licensed in this state. I am talking about degrees in electrical/heating/barbers/counseling/dental/nursing/etc. A wide variety of professions. I dont know what your state offers/requires in regards to information on your best choices. Some of these different professions are handled by the Dept. of Commerce. Others have an individual Board, such as the Board of Electricity (yep, thats what it is called).

Also, pay attention to the possiblity that your profession may have to become licensed someday. There is usually a grandparenting provision that allows persons working in a job that falls under this new licensure to become licensed without meeting the new requirements. And no matter the hassle, keep that license if you do not meet the state requirements. Past experiences with persons who decided their yearly/bi-annual fees were just not worth it and let that grandparented piece of paper lapse. They found themselves unable to achieve licensure later when their dream job was offered to them.

I have also seen in other instances where people have gotten their representatives to hassle whatever governmental agency/school was not giving them credit for past schooling/work experiences. It is definately a possiblity that you can get a state rep/senator to twist some arms on your behalf.

Tormod · 10-06-2006

I am taking a Masters degree at the moment - it is a "2/3" program, meaning that I have two thirds of regular workload in addition to my full time job. It's hell and takes a lot of effort, but I get to attend one of the better schools here in Norway for five weeks a year for lectures etc, so it's not an online course. The syllabus for this year is as tall as a mountain and sometimes my gut feeling says "this is not good" and I still have two and a half years to go but I think (or hope) that it will be worth the effort.

It's not an MBA, but a Master of Management. It's a practical degree, meaning that I'm supposed to be able to use the stuff I learn when I get back to work after each week of lectures. I am taking Innovation and plan to continue with courses which focus on business organization and strategy.

I have to say, it's very interesting - I'm 35 and have been thinking that I really need to get my Masters before I get too old. But some of my fellow students are way above 50. I guess it's never too late.

Jay-qu · 10-06-2006

Personally I think I could continue to do degrees for the rest of my life.. But at some point (probably after my first PhD

) I will go get a job

I decided to do it simply because I love it, I love learning and am passionate about the subject of astrophysics. I could never understand how kids at school didnt know what to do when they left

it has always been so clear to me.

Freddy · 10-06-2006

It took me 5 years to obtain my M.Ed in History. My company paid my tuition, if I maintained a B, and I paid for the books. It was their idea, but I had been thinking about it because they were talking about making it a requirement. When the company paid for the classes, it was great, because I could not have afforded it back then. However, even though I need the M.Ed. to continue to keep my job it only allows for $1000 more a year in salary.

TheBigDog · 11-15-2006

I begin courses on Nov 27th. I discovered that you cannot get a MBA without a BA or BS as a prerequisite. So I am going to get my BA first, and then continue through my MBA. This will take me several years. I will post here from time to time about my progress.

Bill