One of the biggest pitfalls in a bad economy is to assume you need more education. Sometimes, it’s true. Often, though, you’ll end up overspending and overeducating yourself. Employers are more likely to pass on an employee who has too many degrees because they’re seen as a liability for fast turnover. However, there are definite ways to further your education in a meaningful way that will help—not hinder—your career.
The notion that getting an extra degree in your field will automatically open doors is misguided. At best, you’ll spend money on a degree that will put you smack dab in the middle of the cesspool of overqualified candidates. At worst, you’ll lose several years of your life going back to grad school and end up in that same cesspool.
Combatting Over-Qualification
Considering how to go back to school is just as important as deciding whether or not to go. Employers give more weight to any graduate studies than they give to your undergraduate degree. If you go to Cornell for undergrad and then switch to the local community college for your master’s degree, be prepared for some questions.
Another thing to consider is that experience is often more important than a pile of certificates. It’s important that you’re able to work while you’re in school. Sometimes that means correspondence classes or looking into online degrees like a masters degree online. Remember that the whole goal of going. Remember that the whole goal of going back to school is to learn more and stay current in your field. Dropping out of the career path to take classes will only slide you further from your goals.
Decide if You Should do It
The best thing to do when deciding if you should pursue more education is to simply look around. Decide which position you want to aim for in your company, and ask to see what those people have a degree in. Don’t be afraid to talk to them directly—most likely they’ll be flattered that you consider them successful. Offer to buy them lunch to talk about their career path. Be very clear about your goals, and they may even offer to put in a good word for you the next time a spot opens up.
If you’re currently job seeking, go ahead and reach out to local industry leaders. People interested in journalism shouldn’t attempt to call up Barbara Walters for a chat, but the local news anchor may be persuaded to answer an e-mail with a few questions. You can also contact human resources departments and ask them what they look for in candidates. They likely won’t reveal specifics, but they’ll be more open to offering advice about whether or not your current education level is a perfect fit for their company.
Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D. wrote on Quint Careers that often candidates won’t even know when they’ve been labeled as overqualified. The boundary isn’t always clear, since each company will ask different things of its employees. It’s important to get a sense of what’s standard in the industry and recognize the companies that hold other-than-average views on education.
The Other Roads you Haven’t Travelled
Sometimes there’s no getting out of being stuck in a field. After all, there’s only so much you can do with an art history degree. If you’re looking to slightly shift your career focus, consider getting a complimentary degree. Choose it based on where you want to end up.
For example, if you want to be a gallery owner, supplement your B.A. with a master’s degree in business. Diversity with purpose will add to your resume without derailing your career path. Just remember that every step you take towards education should be well-thought out with a distinct career path in mind.
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If anyone can relate to where you're at in your career, it's Nicole Crimaldi: Nicole spent 5 years in corporate America, switched career paths, worked at a start-up, survived a layoff and is now self-employed. Nicole believes that career satisfaction is a huge part of overall happiness. Therefore, she started Ms. Career Girl to help other women get off the treadmill and onto a more fulfilling path.
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The cautious tone of this piece is warranted, but only because employers are so narrow minded. Why wouldn’t a potential employer want someone with advanced training in a field, which represents higher-order critical thinking skills, deep contemplation, and the like? The days of staying with a single company for a lifetime are over. Therefore, employers don’t have to worry about the MA/MBA-and-out mentality.
The secondary challenge is this kind of thinking, that a higher degree: “will automatically open doors is misguided. At best, you’ll spend money on a degree that will put you smack dab in the middle of the cesspool of overqualified candidates. At worst, you’ll lose several years of your life going back to grad school and end up in that same cesspool.”
Few people smart enough to earn a grad degree would think that some golden door will open at graduation. A graduate degree is not like buying a shovel at Wal-Mart. It requires effort, dedication, skill, etc., which is a far cry from finding oneself in a “cesspool” or considering the degree lost years.
The strain of anti-intellectualism in this piece is unwarranted. Why would anyone (student, employer, etc.) say to themselves, “Hmmm, more education…no, I think I’m fine, no thanks.” The US seems to be one of the few countries that feels it can dumb its way through without ramifications.
A degree is not a golden ticket to a 25k job. Although it does show tenacity and that the employee has a willingness to learn which is very important in a economy with rising technology and innovative systems. I pretty much agree with the article, experience tends to outweigh education at the moment- although there are organisations out there willing to take on new graduates and train them up, which dosnt isn’t as inexpensive as it seems. Graduates are more likely to show a creative, flexible and fresh approach to work, whereas as somebody with experience may be fixed in their mind set with only one working style and may struggle to take constructive criticism at a later stage in their career.
Another suggestion I would strongly recommend, is pursuing a professional qualification as it shows commitment and will give you the edge that you require. (ACA- Accounting field, SIM Marketing, CIPD HR etc.).
Keep your skills up to date. Learn a new language, brush up on your writing skills, create a new database. Show the employer that they need you- its not always about you needing them.
Very good point, Fatima. Skill set AND education/knowledge is a great one-two punch! Thanks for the comment.