Posted on Aug 15, 2024
Will multiple degrees (associate through a master in aviation maintenance) really help me in the future with my career progression?
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I have been working on college progression for the last few years. My background is aviation maintenance. I came into the military back in 2000 with a hefty amount of college credits but no degree. Fast forward to about 2012 I started back up, paused again 2014 and back into it around 2018 or so. Now I have two associates, one bachelor, and two classes left on a master's in aviation maintenance. Will on these degrees really help me in the future? I now from scuttlebutt at MLC yes since there is a lot of writing there; however, after that?
Posted in these groups: Maintenance NCO
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Future Soldier LeaderFuture Soldier Manager
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 7
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Guess it depends on what you want in life, your goals, what you want to do after you get out - entirely up to you. Me, I attended Boise State University's Vo-Tec school, became a mechanic. Worked as a mechanic for a number of years. Worked as a professional guide. Moved to Denmark started my own business as a farrier shoeing horses. In December the wife told me I needed to stop as we don't need the money. So with no college degrees I was able to make a good living for my family. I retired from the Reserve as a SGM, got my SSI, my retirement planning has paid off. So the big word is "DEPENDS" on you, what you want.
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MAJ Byron Oyler
If you spent a little time on a college campus you probably would discover two things, 1) a lot of college education is worthless and 2) your career you just retired from probably has enough knowledge and skill level to be made into at a minimum an associate degree. Whoever thought changing bedpans and giving bed baths would become a bachelor's degree?
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SGM Mikel Dawson
MAJ Byron Oyler - When I got out of high school in '74, there were a lot of "degree holders" flipping burgers. I knew I didn't want to spend 4 more years in school, so the "trades" was it. And you are right, with my experience and going through the Sergeants Major Academy, I probably could get a bachelor's degree, but at my time in life, that and 20 danish krone will get me a cup of coffee. Oh by the way, I wish I could post a "laughing face" on your reply. Just a play old thumbs up won't do.
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You will always get two answers with the college question, the crowd without that never think college matters and the college grads that say college is important. Reality is somewhere in the middle. I do not need a college education for most of my nursing duties, starting IVs, passing medications, etc. You get good there with experience like in aviation. Now if I need to run the department and have a global view, those assessment skills in college and the ability to write and speak will come in handy. For top level success, you need both the technical and the college education. Your education will help you get the top-level interviews, your technician skills will help you keep the job for a long time.
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SFC (Join to see)
I can understand that two sides of the coin view. There have been classes, why am I taking this, it will not help me. Others were helpful for some of the experience I was already going through, HAZMAT and Safety. Then there are the ones that start talking about DEI which is no relevance to fighting for merit and those who have good working experience about a system.
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If The Military Hasn't Changed Too Much Since My Days
You Can Continue To Achieve Your Degree While In The Service
And Uncle Sam Will Pay 100% Of The Costs. ~
But Either Way, It's Well Worth Having Confirmed; Check With Your
Base Education Office. ~ I DID ~ Entered The USAF (Because I Lied My Azz Off)
With An 8th GRADE Education ~~Studied The Same Things,During And After 4 Years,
Exited With A Self-Estimated Masters In Business Administration. (Read My Bio).
You Can Continue To Achieve Your Degree While In The Service
And Uncle Sam Will Pay 100% Of The Costs. ~
But Either Way, It's Well Worth Having Confirmed; Check With Your
Base Education Office. ~ I DID ~ Entered The USAF (Because I Lied My Azz Off)
With An 8th GRADE Education ~~Studied The Same Things,During And After 4 Years,
Exited With A Self-Estimated Masters In Business Administration. (Read My Bio).
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Ultimately it depends on your career path. If you are working in the Aviation field I would assume it would qualify you for upper management positions. I could see it helping you with Federal/State employment as well because they give preferential treatment to those with multiple degrees. But if it's a career field outside of the skillset of the degrees I don't know if it would.
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SFC (Join to see)
I do agree on some of the classes because I minored in safety. I would think those who are in the safety department can benefit from these classes. My current class, I am having to build a safety management systems manual somewhat from scratch.
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SSgt Christophe Murphy
SFC (Join to see) - Being able to have that skillset probably helps more than just in safety roles. It's all about connecting the dots from knowledge/skills to practical application.
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Many jobs still look at degrees whereas others look for hands on experience over any degree. Depends on your career field. Aviation maintenance for me would be hands-on experience.
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SFC (Join to see)
Well, I am taking the better guess, and hopefully, selection boards can see that an individual choose to take extra steps to take an initiative to go above and beyond. As well, some classes did give me some insight into areas I did not know about. The ability to write reports will know be helpful when going to certain NOCES schools such as SLC required writing in APA and from what I heard MLC is that way too.
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Almost any degree can help to make you more competative, though a degree directly associated with your military specialty will have the biggest impact.
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Are you any h o od as a mechanic? Do you have an A&P license? If the answer is yes then the answer to your question is yes.
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SFC (Join to see)
No A&P yet, it is fight to get the training course in AZ so I can get the Army to pay for it all. I feel with all the years and hours I have put into the Army and my maintenance experience, the Army should be giving me my A&P instead of me paying for all the tests and certification.
I will eventually get there, though will be having knee surgery in a month and need time to heal from that first and do my NDT recert in NOV.
I will eventually get there, though will be having knee surgery in a month and need time to heal from that first and do my NDT recert in NOV.
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