IS a Master's degree a must in today's job market?

[al40]

I've been workingin in the field of quality for 10 years now and I have been presented with an opportunity to pursue a Master's degree in Strategic Leadership. I'm walking the fench post on this one my job doesn't require it and I have already been told that it would not gain a pay increase. So my quesiton is do I or don't I?

Any Advice?

[Jim Wynne]

Originally Posted by Allen M.

I've been workingin in the field of quality for 10 years now and I have been presented with an opportunity to pursue a Master's degree in Strategic Leadership. I'm walking the fench post on this one my job doesn't require it and I have already been told that it would not gain a pay increase. So my quesiton is do I or don't I?

I don't think its a requirement in most instances, (I've gotten along pretty well for a long time with no college degree at all). It might even stand between you and some jobs. I guess it depends on what your career aspirations are. The old question is, where do you want to be in five years?

[qualitygoddess]

I found that my master's degree opened a few doors when it was time to move on from my employer at the time I was doing the degree (and I didn't get any pay increase from my employer at the time). Mine is in engineering management with an emphasis on quality management. People thought this degree was better than the CQM from ASQ.

I think the question from the previous post is a good one. Where do you want to be 5 years from now? Have you talked with graduates of this same program? What are they doing today? Is that what you would want to do?

--QG

[al40]

Originally Posted by qualitygoddess

I found that my master's degree opened a few doors when it was time to move on from my employer at the time I was doing the degree (and I didn't get any pay increase from my employer at the time). Mine is in engineering management with an emphasis on quality management. People thought this degree was better than the CQM from ASQ.

I think the question from the previous post is a good one. Where do you want to be 5 years from now? Have you talked with graduates of this same program? What are they doing today? Is that what you would want to do?

--QG

Goddess,
That's a good question, I've met my initial goals of acheving ASQ cetification in CQA and CQM and have achived those. I'm not sure about the master's degree ( Ihave a degree in Electrical Engineering and Organizational Leadership), I've talked to my collegues and some say it can hinder you more than it can help. So I'm not sure, the degree is aimed at Executives and Managers, but my company has stated that they prefer the ASQ certification.

I've just recently been promoted to QM and I think I have a lot more to learn on being a good "Quality Manager" than pursuing a MS.

[AllanJ]

Originally Posted by Allen M.

I've been workingin in the field of quality for 10 years now and I have been presented with an opportunity to pursue a Master's degree in Strategic Leadership. I'm walking the fench post on this one my job doesn't require it and I have already been told that it would not gain a pay increase. So my quesiton is do I or don't I?

Any Advice?

If all you expect from a master's degree is more pay and that would be your raison d'etre for getting one you have answered your own question. You must look at your own aspirations and values. But, if you have been "presented with an opportunity" presumably whosoever is "presenting" the offer sees something in you that your question suggests you do not see in yourself. Is that not a rather flattering offer?

[al40]

Originally Posted by AllanJ

If all you expect from a master's degree is more pay and that would be your raison d'etre for getting one you have answered your own question. You must look at your own aspirations and values. But, if you have been "presented with an opportunity" presumably whosoever is "presenting" the offer sees something in you that your question suggests you do not see in yourself. Is that not a rather flattering offer?

Allan :,
I do not look at this as a reason to earn more money but will the time I commit to the program be worth it in the end vs. the time I take away from my family and focusing on my work as a QM. I'm flattered that it was offered but I feel this is too soon since I'm involved in other pressing matters.

[Craig H.]

FWIW, I got my Masters in QA, mostly online,at SPSU. It was work, some quarters a LOT of work, with many late nights, but I am single. Was it worth it? From a financial standpoint, most likely not, at least not yet. But it was worth it because now I feel REAL confident when talking about many quality issues, and I met some really neat people in the process.

As far as comparing the degree to the CQMgr, well I didn't study for the exam AT ALL, finished with 1 to 1 1/2 hours to spare, and passed the first try. It was EASY!!!

[al40]

Originally Posted by Craig H.

FWIW, I got my Masters in QA, mostly online,at SPSU. It was work, some quarters a LOT of work, with many late nights, but I am single. Was it worth it? From a financial standpoint, most likely not, at least not yet. But it was worth it because now I feel REAL confident when talking about many quality issues, and I met some really neat people in the process.

As far as comparing the degree to the CQMgr, well I didn't study for the exam AT ALL, finished with 1 to 1 1/2 hours to spare, and passed the first try. It was EASY!!!

Congrats Craig, I wish I was in the same boat but, I'm not I'm mister mom at night since my wife works an evening shift.

As far as comparing the CQMgr with a MS I don't think I did that. I said it was one of my goals.



I'm not sure how you feel about ASQ certs, but I have learned a lot by studying for the CQM and anytime you learn it's a good thing.