The job market and the requirements hiring managers look for is changing rapidly. A few years ago, the name on a degree was important. More often lately, I've seen managers I work with treat the degree requirement as clep3705 described, simply a checkmark to prove you can finish what you start but what they really want to see is experience now. And no matter what route you go, do not underestimate the ability to sell yourself and what you bring to the table.
Last week I helped a manager pick a candidate with a distance degree BS (not from one of our favorite 3, but still entirely online), over another candidate with a BS from a school that could be argued as ivy league done entirely through butt-in-seat work. The latter thought the degree would speak for itself. The former sold the fact that he put himself through school at a full-time job, and came with work experience in his relevant position by starting in a mail room at his former employer and worked up through internal promotions to bring a couple years' relevant experience, proving a strong work ethic, desire to improve himself, and lack of fear to do what needs to be done to reach a goal.
Practice self-marketing before interviews, no matter where you end up getting your degree, and try to find jobs in your field during and after your degree, even if you have to pick an employer and start in a different position. I've seen people with no degree at all win out over highly educated individuals in positions that technically listed a degree as a requirement, because they could communicate their potential contribution better than someone that thought a transcript said it all.
Last week I helped a manager pick a candidate with a distance degree BS (not from one of our favorite 3, but still entirely online), over another candidate with a BS from a school that could be argued as ivy league done entirely through butt-in-seat work. The latter thought the degree would speak for itself. The former sold the fact that he put himself through school at a full-time job, and came with work experience in his relevant position by starting in a mail room at his former employer and worked up through internal promotions to bring a couple years' relevant experience, proving a strong work ethic, desire to improve himself, and lack of fear to do what needs to be done to reach a goal.
Practice self-marketing before interviews, no matter where you end up getting your degree, and try to find jobs in your field during and after your degree, even if you have to pick an employer and start in a different position. I've seen people with no degree at all win out over highly educated individuals in positions that technically listed a degree as a requirement, because they could communicate their potential contribution better than someone that thought a transcript said it all.
BSBA, HR / Organizational Mgmt - Thomas Edison State College, December 2012
- TESC Chapter of Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society for Business, Management and Administration
- Arnold Fletcher Award
AAS, Environmental, Safety, & Security Technologies - Thomas Edison State College, December 2012
AS, Business Administration - Thomas Edison State College, March 2012
- TESC Chapter of Sigma Beta Delta International Honor Society for Business, Management and Administration
- Arnold Fletcher Award
AAS, Environmental, Safety, & Security Technologies - Thomas Edison State College, December 2012
AS, Business Administration - Thomas Edison State College, March 2012