What to do with your degree
What I have noticed is that a lot of you don't know what the career options are for your current studies or past degrees. Roughly, I think there are three groups:
- Thinking about going back to school
- Currently in school and looking forward
- Already graduated and wondering what to do with your degree
Thinking about going back to school: This is a major investment. In funds. In opportunity cost. And in time lost on your resume. Don't get me wrong. It can be a very smart thing to do. But do your homework. The purpose of this kind of activity for most people is to set you squarely on a path for a job / career. Going back to school so that you can figure it out can be expensive and disappointing.
Currently in school and looking forward: You may think that your only focus is studying, but you need to priortize your career planning. You need to be researching the market, utilziing the fullest the campus career centre, talking with instructors, usiing your student status to get information meetings with organizations, perhaps volunteering and lining up internships.
Already graduated and wondering what to do with your degree: Well, if you didn't figure it out while you were in school, certainly do some research now, but also weigh in on your work experience to date. What kinds of real world experience have you acquired and where can you take that?
More often than not, your degree is an entry point into something that would not have been available to you otherwise. The trick is which entry points do you pursue and what do you do with them.
If you are not graduating in Medicine, Engineering, and other applied degrees, do not put too much stock in the power of your degree to define your career. Post-secondary education teaches us how to think, research, create hyphothesis, create and defend arguments, manage our time, respond under pressure, and a bunch of other life skills. All important. But, most of the facts and theories are going to blur overtime. The core skills you keep and build upon.
A Math degree, for example, may be less about a job doing math, and more about getting hired into an organization that would see your Math degree as evidence of an analytical mind, and something that they could train to be useful to them.
I could go on, but I was hoping that this post would spark some debate. My overall point, is if you thinking about going to school, or are on this board while you are in school, get moving on researching the market and figuring out NOT what the degree gives you, but rather what you can CREATE with the degree. Do not wait until you graduate!
Ian Christie
Career Changers Coach
This was pretty much what I had been asking with the post I made over a week ago.... I did do research while going back to school for my business degree, asking professors what their degrees were in, what jobs they were able to get, etc. I even asked a professor what the degree would allow us to do, she didn't know. Maybe my expectations were misguided. I've always felt that going to school was all about the piece of paper, because most of what you learn about any field you learn on the job. I just wanted to get somewhere in life and figured that this degree would open up some doors. So far most job postings are more concerned with experience than what the degree is actually in.
I guess I'm just frustrated and impatient. I guess time will only tell.
Sometimes, for future reference and for better results, questions need to be rephrased. You could ask "How can I ...." questions and "Do you know anyone who ...." questions as opposed to "What will this give me" questions. Another would be, "thinking back, what kinds of career paths have some of your former students pursued?"
The degree, in most cases, is the price of entry. And once you have that ticket, then they are focused on other hings (depending on how entry level the job is or not).
What is your focus? What are you interested in? I think that needs to be your starting point.
Ian Christie
Career Changers Coach
Thanks for your response.
My focus was in finance, which consited of two extra accounting classes (this was a fast track program with most of the classes were taught in 5 week intervals).
I have been told that I could apply as a staff accountant with an Accounting firm, but I would suppose that position wouldn't offer much advancement unless I were to get an accounting degree or go for a CPA title. But I suppose I could always transfer into another business setting/position after getting my experience in there......... I think I just answered my own question
I am currently in school and not sure exactly where to go next. I am 41 years old and will finish school in December with a degree in Business Management from the Universty of Phoenix. My dilemma is that I am a blue collar worker looking to move into a white collar field of some sort. Most of my work experience is in the Warehousing/Transportation field. I do have some supervisory experience, however I am not currently a supervisor. Everyone wants experience so I am thinking my best chance to take a step up is to stay in that field as a supervisor or manager at a large warehouse/distribution center, but I am interested other opportunities as well. The problem is that I am just not sure how to make the most of what I have in making the change from blue collar to white collar work. I am very capable, talented in organization and planning, a strong work ethic, highly motivated and love solving problems. However, these qualities can not be seen on a resume, persay. Do I act like a 23 year old college graduate and just start sending out resumes or, since I am older, do I need to incorporate some other strategies as well? I also want to relocate and many businesses won't consider out of town applicants. I am starting to think that a degree may not be enough. I may return to school for a masters degree after some well-deserved time off. Lastly, with school loans to pay off after completing my degree, many entry level positions may not satisfy my income requirements beyond what I currently earn. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You, Frank
- warehouses
- distribution centres
- transportation facilities
- etc.
Your resume absolutely needs to communicate those qualities. If it doesn't now, then start re-writing it (look for advice on resumes in Monster's article area and discussion board). You certainly can and should communicate those strengths and abilities. As well as functional skill sets.
Applying to jobs is a necessary strategy.
But you also need to network. To target companies that seem like a good fit. Send your background and follow-up.
Also, look at recruiting agencies. There are lots of recruiting firms who specialize in jr management / supervisory level roles in operational environments.
Ian Christie
Career Changers Coach