What Master's degree is most important for Veterans?

SPC Joshua Heath — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:52:58 -0400

Response by SGT Pyong Song made Jul 22 at 2015 9:54 AM

SGT Pyong Song — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:54:39 -0400

Generally MBA is one of option!

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jul 22 at 2015 9:55 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:55:00 -0400

I have one in General Management. As leaders we supervise and it's a great follow on skill.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Jul 22 at 2015 9:55 AM

LTC Kevin B. — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:55:01 -0400

That really depends on what you want to do in your career. What type of jobs interest you?

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jul 22 at 2015 9:55 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:55:57 -0400

The MBA is universally accepted as the "Bang for the Buck" leader .. unless you are in science or education.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 9:57 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:57:12 -0400

I got mine in Criminal Justice Administration. That was, however, when I was a civilian police officer.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 9:57 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:57:24 -0400

The one I have! Seriously, as LTC B describes, much depends on the vocation. Excelsior college now has a great Vet Center in Washington DC, and Cyber degrees...

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made Jul 22 at 2015 9:57 AM

SrA Daniel Hunter — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:57:49 -0400

The one you want.

Response by LTC Dave Duffy made Jul 22 at 2015 9:58 AM

LTC Dave Duffy — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 09:58:33 -0400

MBA for business of any sort, if you are looking more at human domain than Masters of Social Work.

Response by SPC Makissa Lewis made Jul 22 at 2015 10:06 AM

SPC Makissa Lewis — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:06:08 -0400

It all depends on what the veteran plans to do with it. The veteran first must decide their endgame and find if the degree helps them get there.

Response by TSgt Kevin Buccola made Jul 22 at 2015 10:06 AM

TSgt Kevin Buccola — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:06:52 -0400

I have my MBA - like anything depends on your interests. Now I work toward getting the certifications - SPHR etc

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 10:07 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:07:40 -0400

Well for me, mine is. All kidding asside, it's important to obtain a Masters that can transfer to the civilian side and actually help you obtain and advance in your proposed civilian career field. My degree is in Education with a concentration in sports peformance and leadership. I want to teach and coach when I retire, so to me, this degree is highly important for my future.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jul 22 at 2015 10:07 AM

MSgt James Mullis — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:07:40 -0400

I would say the degree program you are most likely to complete. Holding a Master's degree is a plus on most resumes when you are trying to get a management or technical position. However, work toward a degree can actually be a negative if it is not completed in a timely manner. Which speaks to the job applicants ability to follow through on difficult tasks.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 10:18 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:18:40 -0400

I think it is important to have one. I have an MBA focused in Project Management because that will be where I try to focus my post-Army life. I think it comes down to all the little certifications that will make or break getting from the resume review stage to the interview stage. Being a CAPM, or PMP, or the HR equivalent. Or the popular CMP are great for general supervisory positions that fit most fields. DAU is great for the logistics fields. Generally, when I counsel Soldiers looking for jobs, I tell them to go pull a bunch of employer websites and look up their ideal jobs, find the common acronyms under preferred experience in the job descriptions and see which they can obtain before applying. For most seasoned veterans and retirees, a degree simply validates their experience and that is what they need to sell come interview time.

Response by LTC David Stender made Jul 22 at 2015 10:32 AM

LTC David Stender — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:32:32 -0400

Well that's a good question. You need to think about what you plan to do in the future. Look at the fastest growing fields and what you need to be certified in that field. There are easy degrees but not ones that will be overly helpful when you are in your 40s and looking at another career. Choose wisely.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 10:44 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:44:37 -0400

In my opinion for the average Joe (or Jane) coming off of active duty your best bet is to try to build your experience in Project Management. All of us have managed a project in some form or fashion. Get to work on your PMP certification through PMI and work on an MBA that helps you get to that certification if you do not already have it. Now, some may have some specialty that is marketable in the civilian market. My advice is the same, work on the certification and chose a Masters that support that industry.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 10:45 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 10:45:37 -0400

Just like any field, I feel employers do generally look at job experience as a key factor for hiring an individual. Just follow your passion! I just finished my Masters in Public Administration, and I begin class on 31 August for a Ph.D in Public Policy and Homeland Security. My personal interest will be to stay working for the government/ review policy implementations. Far fetched dream, but anything is possible with hard work.

Response by SSG Izzy Abbass made Jul 22 at 2015 11:35 AM

SSG Izzy Abbass — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 11:35:09 -0400

I would say it depends on what subject you have a passion for. I will say this - you don't need an MBA to write a business plan. 99% of a BP is effective communication. As long as you can add, subtract, multiple and divide, you can write a plan. If you need a depreciation table out to 72 months, you can walk down the hall to accounting, ask them, they will quickly do it and you can walk back to your desk and finish the plan. My history and poly sci degree allowed me to communicate and research much more effectively than a lot of MBAs I've had work for me.

At the end of the day, your passion will set you up for the best success.

Response by MAJ Bill Maynard made Jul 22 at 2015 11:48 AM

MAJ Bill Maynard — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 11:48:31 -0400

The one that gets you the job you want ;)

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 22 at 2015 11:58 AM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 11:58:24 -0400

This is way too broad a question. I have 3, Master of Engineering Management, MA Jewish Education, MA Jewish Studies. I changed career plans from before I retired to after I retired from the Navy, hence the disparate Master's Degrees...

What kind of work do you want to do? Do you have GI Bill benefits still? Are you eligible for Vocational Rehab?

I suggest you meet with leaders in the business or industry you're interested in, and find out what they say.

Also, go to Linkedin.com - there are a number of vet friendly Head Hunters who will go over your resume and give you free career advice. They are paid by the companies that recruit, so doing this for you allows them to place you...

Response by Maj Chris Nelson made Jul 22 at 2015 12:04 PM

Maj Chris Nelson — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:04:06 -0400

The first question you need to ask yourself is: DO I really NEED a Master's degree to get my dream job?? If the answer is "NO", then don't go into debt getting one. If the answer is "YES", then the second question is: Which degree is the one I need to get THAT dream job?? Once you have that sorted out, then you can start the rest of the questions like which school and how to finance.

Response by LTC Damon LaCour made Jul 22 at 2015 12:20 PM

LTC Damon LaCour — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:20:29 -0400

I'm a Signal Officer, so I decided on an IT Management degree since it fit with my military and civilian skills. if you're going to spend the time, then you might as well make sure it fits and you'll be able to use it in the future.

Response by SSgt Anthony Parmenter made Jul 22 at 2015 12:31 PM

SSgt Anthony Parmenter — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 12:31:15 -0400

What is it that you would like to do with your Masters Degree? That would tell you which is the most important.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 1:04 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:04:06 -0400

Wait-- Nobody's advocating for an M.S. in Underwater Basket-Weaving? To shame! We must not forget the military's most famous degree field...

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Jul 22 at 2015 1:11 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:11:37 -0400

M B A hands down.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jul 22 at 2015 1:14 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:14:54 -0400

Depends on the veteran. For me, it is mine.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 1:41 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 13:41:18 -0400

Underwater basket weaving. I'm sure its going to help me in all my future endeavors.

Response by SPC David S. made Jul 22 at 2015 6:07 PM

SPC David S. — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 18:07:38 -0400

All depends on the career path

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 10:10 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 22:10:55 -0400

Got mine in Criminal Justice Administration. I think for Law Enforcement it will be a big plus!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 22 at 2015 10:47 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 22:47:48 -0400

I guess I'm the minority here. I don't have a degree. Just a transcript full of credits. I was blessed to climb the GS ranks without one. And I am on management level.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Jul 23 at 2015 9:26 AM

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 09:26:00 -0400

Except in highly fields, I don't believe it matters much what degree you get Obtaining a post-grad represent intangibles that employers appreciate. Some examples are trainability, demonstrated ability to commit and follow thru on long-term goals, and ability to achieve a strategic target. A company will still have to invest trust, time, and resources to increase your value to organization. A graduate, regardless of degree, limits their risks that you don't work out or quit in short duration.

Response by SFC Johnny Camacho made Jul 23 at 2015 9:38 AM

SFC Johnny Camacho — Thu, 23 Jul 2015 09:38:47 -0400

Defending on Career you choose!

Response by SSG Dwight Amey MSA, MSL, BS, AS made Jul 25 at 2015 3:21 PM

SSG Dwight Amey MSA, MSL, BS, AS — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 15:21:32 -0400

SPC Joshua Heath, In my opinion, a degree that includes some type of certification or even trade skills applicable to what best allows graduates to demonstrate what they have learned in their program of study. For example, my experience in the military is in combat logistics. Because of the wear and tear on my back I can't work for UPS due to the limited time I can do physical aspect on a consistent basis. This is not the military where I can get a profile and still only work the desk job without first driving and delivering. My degrees are in leadership and adminstration of justice which is thearetical in nature not certifications. Now I have to start from the bottom of the barrell in the VA because I do not have any certificates to start off in a good 7 or 10 gs rated job.

Response by SFC James Reeder made Jul 26 at 2015 10:13 PM

SFC James Reeder — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 22:13:46 -0400

I have an MA in Human Resource Development, but I didn't need it for my current position as a field service engineer. Part of my duties include training the operators how to use their new machines, so I guess it was worth it for me. Just stay away from the for-profit schools.

Response by SFC Felix Burgos-Figueroa made Jul 28 at 2015 11:22 AM

SFC Felix Burgos-Figueroa — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 11:22:28 -0400

I guess it depends on what your interested in pursuing and most importantly what the work force is looking for.

I am a 42A Senior Human Resources NCO so I earned both my bachelor and masters degrees in Human Resource Management.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 2:23 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 14:23:39 -0400

Depends on your career path.

Response by CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner made Aug 12 at 2015 10:38 PM

CH (MAJ) Thomas Conner — Wed, 12 Aug 2015 22:38:51 -0400

There are several factors to consider, first, it depends on what you want to do with it, ex. if you want to go into counseling, a Masters in Psychology will not get you there- but a Masters of Social Work will. Second, it depends on what you are passionate about. I have seen several people attempt advanced degrees in subjects they hated, only to either drop out or work in a totally unrelated field. Third, how much are you willing to pay (financially, socially, and emotionally) to earn your degree? By no means is this an exhaustive list, but it is a good place to start. Good luck whatever route you pursue!

Response by SGT(P) Gloria Francis made Sep 18 at 2016 12:03 PM

SGT(P) Gloria Francis — Sun, 18 Sep 2016 12:03:38 -0400

This is definitely a personal question. Everyone's decision to obtain a Masters degree varies. It may be based on a particular field they are passionate about. It may be based on how much revenue it provides. It may just be a personal goal. We had different MOS for a reasons. Henceforth, a degree is as valid as our personal choice of what path we're heading in life.

Response by SGT Terry Taylor made Nov 9 at 2021 6:20 PM

SGT Terry Taylor — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 18:20:51 -0500

Special Education...”there is more than one way to skin a Cat”...