Posted on Oct 21, 2014
The Importance of an Advanced Degree to Active Duty Military and Veterans
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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs documented in a 2009 report that there were close to 600,000 veterans enrolled in educational programs. That number increased to slightly more than 900,000 in 2012. In our current political climate, across the board cuts in spending and a reduction in our military forces are inevitable. The sequestration in 2013 had an immediate impact on military students and veterans. The cutbacks required in 2014 (and beyond) are causing members of our military to consider educational options for their future. As the number of people in the general population who possess a bachelor’s degree increases, the requirement for an advanced degree, such as an MBA, has risen significantly.
The Air Force encourages its members to obtain a master’s degree to advance in their military career. Officers entering as military lawyers need a law degree. For commissioned officers, promotions may require a combination of a degree with training and experience.
An MBA can provide numerous opportunities for all military personnel. These opportunities can promote the learning of new concepts and ideas, collaborating with peers, examining new research, and integrating classwork into the workplace. There can be both personal rewards from learning new management practices and professional rewards from bringing new skills and credentials to the workplace.
In introduction forum posts for one of the business courses at AMU, one student pointed out that his main reason for getting an MBA is because it’s required to continue progressing in rank in the Air Force. Another student is anticipating that a balanced background of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, and a master’s degree in business management, may help him prepare for the competitiveness of the aerospace industry.
The MBA program at AMU covers proven business practices, strategic planning, operational management concepts, and budgeting—all useful skills for those who might be transitioning from a military to civilian career. For example, one AMU student will be returning to the private sector after more than 12 years of military service and is planning a new career in the finance field. Another has a few years before he will reach 20 years of military service and is planning a post-service career in business management. A third graduate, retired after more than 30 years of service in the Air Force, shared an interesting reason for returning for an MBA—to motivate his children to never stop achieving and to keep pace with the high-caliber people joining the ranks today. Whether it’s a personal goal or a career requirement, earning an MBA is an important learning experience as you prepare for your future inside the military our out.
As originally posted by In Military Education
By Dr. Kathleen Shriver and Jodi Bouvin
American Military University
http://rly.pt/2kTwX0G
The Air Force encourages its members to obtain a master’s degree to advance in their military career. Officers entering as military lawyers need a law degree. For commissioned officers, promotions may require a combination of a degree with training and experience.
An MBA can provide numerous opportunities for all military personnel. These opportunities can promote the learning of new concepts and ideas, collaborating with peers, examining new research, and integrating classwork into the workplace. There can be both personal rewards from learning new management practices and professional rewards from bringing new skills and credentials to the workplace.
In introduction forum posts for one of the business courses at AMU, one student pointed out that his main reason for getting an MBA is because it’s required to continue progressing in rank in the Air Force. Another student is anticipating that a balanced background of a bachelor’s degree in engineering, and a master’s degree in business management, may help him prepare for the competitiveness of the aerospace industry.
The MBA program at AMU covers proven business practices, strategic planning, operational management concepts, and budgeting—all useful skills for those who might be transitioning from a military to civilian career. For example, one AMU student will be returning to the private sector after more than 12 years of military service and is planning a new career in the finance field. Another has a few years before he will reach 20 years of military service and is planning a post-service career in business management. A third graduate, retired after more than 30 years of service in the Air Force, shared an interesting reason for returning for an MBA—to motivate his children to never stop achieving and to keep pace with the high-caliber people joining the ranks today. Whether it’s a personal goal or a career requirement, earning an MBA is an important learning experience as you prepare for your future inside the military our out.
As originally posted by In Military Education
By Dr. Kathleen Shriver and Jodi Bouvin
American Military University
http://rly.pt/2kTwX0G
MBA
Education
Command Post
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 35
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I am totally glad I have a Masters Degree, I can command good pay almost what I am making on active duty as a Procurement Analyst in the contracting world. My future job. I am glad I used my time wisely and respectively using the Army TA. It has allowed me to have superior advantages over the masses and independence to Retire believe it or not. The pay and wisdom is a definite pay off. You always got to be redefining your skills and staying sharp for your skill set acquired (degree). It requires a lot of time researching and staying up to par to reach your goals. (Hooooooooooha)!
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LCDR John Sahlin
Having been on both sides of the interview desk, I would like to offer some thoughts:
1) Having an advanced degree does not guarantee you will find a good job. Nor does it guarantee to an employer that you will be successful. It is merely one of many indicators
2) Having an advanced degree may price you out of some jobs. The fear of being "over-educated" is not unreasonable. If you are unemployed and need any j-o-b to feed yourself and your family, having an advanced degree may scare off potential employers (who fear that you will leave the job they can offer once you get the opportunity you want). When I was unemployed with a Master's Degree, I took it off my resume when applying for jobs that didn't require it. Yes, I was selling myself short, but I needed a job - any job. In fairness, when the right job came along, I did not hesitate to make a move.
3) Anything you can do to improve yourself is worthwhile. This could include paying for a degree but does not have to. MOOCs are widely available to improve your skills.
4) Certifications are also a good option - depending in your chosen industry they may even be more valuable. For some positions, I would much rather hire someone who was working on a Bachelor's degree but had VCP, MSCE, and CCNA certifications than an MBA.
I know that none of this is earth-shattering, but it reflects my own experiences.
1) Having an advanced degree does not guarantee you will find a good job. Nor does it guarantee to an employer that you will be successful. It is merely one of many indicators
2) Having an advanced degree may price you out of some jobs. The fear of being "over-educated" is not unreasonable. If you are unemployed and need any j-o-b to feed yourself and your family, having an advanced degree may scare off potential employers (who fear that you will leave the job they can offer once you get the opportunity you want). When I was unemployed with a Master's Degree, I took it off my resume when applying for jobs that didn't require it. Yes, I was selling myself short, but I needed a job - any job. In fairness, when the right job came along, I did not hesitate to make a move.
3) Anything you can do to improve yourself is worthwhile. This could include paying for a degree but does not have to. MOOCs are widely available to improve your skills.
4) Certifications are also a good option - depending in your chosen industry they may even be more valuable. For some positions, I would much rather hire someone who was working on a Bachelor's degree but had VCP, MSCE, and CCNA certifications than an MBA.
I know that none of this is earth-shattering, but it reflects my own experiences.
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SSG (Join to see) made a comment about furthering your education while still in the military to take advantage of tuition assistance. One thing to keep in mind for those the are separating instead of retiring, is to further you continuum of service by joining a reserve component. Tuition Assistance is available in both the Reserve and Guard and in many cases, a state (if you're in that state's Guard) will pay for your Bachelor or Master degree.
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SSG (Join to see)
Great Info Sir thanks for this I can pass this on to some of my friends that are getting out in the next few months.
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However, not all MBAs are created equal. Often, practical experience is more important than what is learned at MBA school. My advice to young airmen or officers has been over the years: only get an MBA if that school can open doors for you that you can't open through your military or business experience. My view is that there are only 20 or so MBA schools in the US that can actually do this.
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