<p>Requirement of certain degree is common. My manager cannot interview anybody without a Bachelor degree. In addition, I found from my life experience that finding a job is much easier if you have a Grad. School degree. My field does not require any degree and it is possible to become very proficient just taking couple classes and learning on a job. I am currently at Job #9 in very economically depressed part of US, which has been depressed for the past 30 years at least. Most of my 9 jobs I was able to get answering to newspaper advertisements (statistical sccess rate of such search is 2%). I believe that my MBA degree made it possible.</p>
<p>When did you get your MBA degree, MiamiDAP?</p>
<p>You may want to target your search to smaller companies and nonprofits which may have more flexibility in hiring requirements. Most Federal jobs and large companies hire through inflexible HR structures that will filter out CVs that don’t list required degrees. Smaller shops may have hiring policies that allow project managers to directly review CVs and cover letters. If you can make a strong case for “equivalent experience” you may just get a call. Some of my best hires have come about this way.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>Our son mentioned that he was competing for his EA job with grad degree applicants and he was offerred and accepted a job offer. I am certain they also hired a mix of BS/MS applicants. </p>
<p>I think there were a number of reasons he won out over other more educated applicants. First his undergrad record was very good with a 3.75 gpa and a double major/minor in compsci/cog sci and game/animation science, something which probably looked good on the resume.</p>
<p>Second, he thought that he did really well in the job interview process. He has always been comfortable in speaking before an audience and both his hs and college(RPI) required class presentations very regularly so he got lots of practice.</p>
<p>Finally he is really funny and knows how to use it to his advantage. His college essay had a serious message(perfection is not something achieved but merely strived for) but revolved around his less than perfect teeth and smile. In his job qualification test(yes game development companies use these) one question asked something involving a historical figure. His choice of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer puzzled the interviewers until he mention that Rudolph “went down in history”! They laughed which was a good sign.</p>
<p>So his experience has been that the degree attained is merely one piece of the puzzle that the hr folks look at unless the grad degree is an absolute requirement.</p>
<p>So, what you’re saying is that a Master’s degree from [insert state school here] is more worth than a bachelor’s from Yale?</p>
<p>E: “Sorry, Bob, we know you went to Yale and all, but that guy over there has a Master’s from Central Connecticut State University, so we decided to go with him. Have a nice day, now.”</p>
<p>tenisghs,
In 1988. I interviewed for my current job in 2006. I understood that MBA was one of my advantages, I was even asked my GPA. I have close to 30 years of experience in my field and do not need any degree to satisfactory perform at my job.</p>
<p>I have raised my kids to count on needing to get an advanced degree. My thought was that it’s become the norm to get a bachelors degree. In light of this fact, the advanced degree is necessary to distinguish oneself from the masses.</p>
<p>I never completed my MBA - had kids, quit work, and couldn’t afford to go to school without the second income. Now, after almost 20 years out of the fulltime workforce, I returned to a professional position as a financial aid officer - but it’s the bottom rung of the professional f/a positions for my college. The job is covered by the faculty union (AAUP) - and I can’t progress to the next level - no matter how amazingly I do my job - without a masters degree. It doesn’t matter WHAT the degree is; it just has to be a masters (or PhD, if I’d prefer). I could go to school for free. But still … believe me, a masters is not <em>needed</em> to do this job. It is, however, required. That’s the bottom line.</p>
<p>Yea, kelsmom, that is exactly what I mean. I went to school for free - my several places of employment paid for it. My S basically grew up by himself, we were never at home since my H was also working full time and doing his MBA. He is OK and has always been very thankful for not having students loans. Well, this has to do with the fact that I have always been able to find my next job and was told numerous times that having MBA was impressive. Again, I have been living in very economically depressed area with a lot of professional leaving the city for good because of lack of jobs.</p>
<p>I live in an economically depressed area now (SE Michigan). Sometimes I wonder if I am competing against individuals with advanced degrees, or I am considered “overqualified” with my bachelor’s degree in job interviews. Or I lacked the advanced degree necessary for the job.</p>
<p>In the field I’m headed for, something like 70% have advanced degrees. Is it a requirement? No. But we sure are headed in that direction. </p>
<p>It is likely that I will end up needing a Masters degree at some point in my career. One career path I am considering will all but require it. Only small colleges will hire an athletic trainer without a Masters degree.</p>
<p>I earned my MBA the hard way - at night while working full time. It took 4 years - but has been a factor in getting at least two of my jobs along with at least one promotion. Even if you are just taking classes towards an Masters, that would separate you from the just a B.S. crowd… Your resume would read Master in Progress, expected graduation date 200x</p>
<p>tenisghs,
I live close to you, just over border in Ohio. We have a good number of people who are traveling to their jobs to Michigan on a daily basis. I have done it in a past. Our area always perform the worst in a country in any economic situation.</p>
<p>tenisghs, I live in your neck of the woods. It took me more than a year to get my job. I went through the whole gamut - overqualified, underqualified, need a masters, etc. - but considering that the vast majority of jobs on the Jobs Bank website pay $8-10/hour, I guess I skipped over some I might have landed had I applied (I made more subbing for 9 months of the year than I would have at $8/hour all year). I looked into working at a bank that was built down the street - but they didn’t have any fulltime tellers - 20 hours only. I think the best jobs are … out of state.</p>
<p>Wow, kelsmom, I’m going through the same thing in job interviews and searches. Luckily, I am making more than $10/hr and working full-time. I will just wait and see if my golden opportunity arrives soon.</p>
<p>Even factory jobs require HS diploma (they need HS transcript/proof even if you have a PhD), so Masters is the new Bachelors. Special certifications seem to be getting to be just as important in some fields.</p>