How should I expand on my education after having earned my MBA?

SGT Terrell Houston — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 14:01:06 -0500

Currently, I have an MBA and I am looking at options for a DBA. I either want to expand on my masters degree with more specialty certificates (or another masters) or obtain a Doctor of Business degree. I am torn and really don’t want to waste my time. I am hoping to work in an executive management position or higher salaried position if am to leave the military again. Any advice is welcome.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2018 2:26 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 14:26:45 -0500

First off - congrats on all of your success thus far in earning degrees! Education is important, but experience more so. There's also a fine balance between "what you know" and "who you know."

Your degree may get you to the top of the resume stack, but your expertise and experience will get you a seat at the table. What fields are you interested in? How do you plan on applying this further education? Have you considered pursuing commissioning opportunities?

Response by SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint made Dec 27 at 2018 2:58 PM

SSgt GG-15 RET Jim Lint — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 14:58:04 -0500

Really, you need to make up your mind, not us. I did get my MBA at Trident, and they had a good team and system.

Response by SGM Jeffrey Hall made Dec 27 at 2018 3:38 PM

SGM Jeffrey Hall — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 15:38:24 -0500

I would advise you pursue certifications unless you want to be a professor. An MBA is generally sufficient for the highest levels of executive positions. Certifications can give you greater depth in specific sectors of business. Aside from tenured faculty at a university, there seems to be little call for a DBA.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2018 10:06 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 10:06:17 -0500

SGT Terrell Houston as SPC Jeff Daley, PhD mentioned/hinted at is diversification is great, but the other issue is some need positions you need experience before you can apply for the job/get the certification. In my case after I got my Master's I still needed 3.5 years more of teaching high school to apply to the state to get my principal certificate. Many school districts may look at that and figure it is cheaper to bring in someone straight out of college and help them pay for their Master's and lock them in with a deal that they owe them some years after graduating for every year they assisted, if they ever finish, than to hire someone already with a Master's at a higher salary and who may leave the position to go for a higher paying position sooner rather than later. Now that I have a PhD what are the odds of a school trying to hire me and pay me at that level to teach high school? Too much education may put me out of contention for some jobs, but with less experience I might not be eligible for others. Just something to consider.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2018 3:06 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 15:06:13 -0500

Really examine what you want to do long-term. Unless you're going into research or academia, there's little to no need for a Ph.D. A Ph.D. has little relevance in the C-suite, or even getting a higher salaried position. If you're getting a Ph.D., it's because you just desire to investigate a particular topic in depth.

Not a lot in your profile to work from, but your best bet is to become an officer and gain experience and positions that are commensurate with your education. Right now, your education and experience/responsibilities are out of balance for much of the civilian career sector. When you search for positions post-AD, you're going to get funneled to positions (and thus pay) that are closely tied to your experience.

That said, I also recommend diversifying. No one's interested in a one-trick pony.

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Dec 30 at 2018 4:53 PM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sun, 30 Dec 2018 16:53:43 -0500

Sometimes certification and/or graduate certificated can help you get there.
Certifications like Lean Six Sigma Breen Belt or Project Management Profesional (PMP) to name a few.
Graduate Certificates are 4 to 5 master classes worth depending on the university.

Best of luck and congratulations on your MBA.

Response by PO3 William Bauer made Jan 9 at 2019 4:29 PM

PO3 William Bauer — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 16:29:54 -0500

In my case I had an MS in Counseling and chose a PhD program that I liked (see photo). the PhD after my name as I worked for the State of Nevada was a great benefit - and no one asked what the PhD Was in.