Nondegreed Quality Manager - Most companies want a QM with a 4 year degree

[Tammy N]

I have been a quality manager in the aerospace industry for 11 years. 4 years in NTD/NDE and 7 years in metal surface enhancement (shot peening). I do not have a degree, all of my training has been on the job. At the moment I am the quality manager and interim division manager.

I am looking for some advice. I am presently living in MA and looking to move to NC. There is very little aerospace in the area that I am looking to relocate to. My problem is that most companies want a QM with a 4 year degree. Does anyone have any advice as to how I can get around that. I am very good at what I do, but without a degree of some kind I am having problems getting company's to even talk to me.

 

[David Hartman]

Tammy,

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt! Not to discourage you, but I just spent 11 months unemployed because of my very similar situation. I have over 17 years of quality system development and auditing, most of which was in conjunction with over 15 years of quality engineering and management in both Defense and commercial industries. I do not currently have a degree and was able to finally find a company (the plant manager specifically) that was willing to take a chance on me (based on my experience), but I did have to commit to returning to school and earning my degree - which I happily have begun.

We are truly living in a time when the employer's have a vast resource pool from which to choose, and who's to blame them for striving to hire the best they can for their money.

Now for my words of encouragement: Start today working towards that degree. There are many schools today that offer degree programs for the working adult (including on-line courses, if that is your preference). Just as an example (and not intended as a promotion for them) but I am currently enrolled in the Indiana Wesleyan University College of Adult and Professional Studies.

 

[sjrutland]

I may have a solution for you

Tammy.

Please email me at email address removed I may have a solution but
do not wish to post it.

Stan

Edit note from Roxane : Tammy, please PM (private message) Stan or email him through his profile if he has set up that allowance. Stan, I have removed your email address to prevent you from being spammed, as per Cove Guidelines. I do apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

 

[dokes]

- Get a degree. There are many accelerated programs that you can finish in 1.5 years if you have several credits already.

- If not already certified, get the ASQ CQE and CQMgr. CQE demonstrates nearly equivalent knowledge to a BS in quality, without all the art, history, etc. CQMgr demonstrates nearly equivalent knowledge as MS in quality.

- Find a company who supplies (or wants to supply) aerospace industry, and sell yourself on your ability to be able to interface with the industry.

- Look for family-owned businesses where management got their position due to being son/daughter, not due to degree. A degree is actually seen as a threat in some such organizations.

- If you have many years left in your working life, see a career counselor. Someone without a high school diploma can no longer get in the door for basic manufacturing operator position where I live. Same (as you've found) will largely be true for someone without a college degree trying to get a staff position. The folks we're competing with in India and China are highly educated. That's the real world, and we must be continually adding to our value, both with experience and with formal education.

Good luck.

 

[Randy]

A degree doesn't make one smarter...how many companies don't understand that?

As with Dave I was in a similar situation a few years back...lots of capabilities but no sheepskin.

You're getting some good advice...there are also some government contractors like ITT, Lockheed and Johnson controls (I have personal experience here) where you may find Quality work (no pun intended) without a degree. The problem is not being prior military (if you aren't) may be the stumbling block.

You'll never be too old to get a degree...I was 46 when I got my BS and 53 when I finished my MBA studies.

 

[Blue Tuna]

good advice from everyone

Getting a degree is good advice. Got 5 and didn't know when to stop when I got started. And started late too! Something to remember when working for companies that acquire contracts from the governement (which there are many in aerospace) . . . many of these companies are "biiding degreed personnel". In other words it is in the stipulations of the contract that the company awarded will have so many with this type of degree or another. In many cases companies awarded certain types of contracts must employ certain types of degreed individuals. It varies from contract to contract.

 

[Tammy N]

Thank you all for the advice

Well I am 43 and wasn't looking at going back to school, but it looks like that might be my only alternative.

Thank you all for the advice.

 

[Blue Tuna]

side note

My son just finished his first month with a major aerospace company. And it is going great. He is 25 with no degree. However, he has an unusal niche in gaming program technology. I believe sometimes even these large companies will do work arounds on education when they must. Be encouraged. They are insisting he go on to school. They really didn't seem to care what type of a degree as long as he was working on one and would eventually land it. They have agreed to pay for part of his education.

 

[Wes Bucey]

Well I am 43 and wasn't looking at going back to school, but it looks like that might be my only alternative.

Thank you all for the advice.

Ann Landers, the advice columnist, used to have a terrific riposte for folks who hesitated going back to school. They usually would propound the excuse:
"If I go to school for _____ years, do you realize I'll be _____ years old?"
Ann would reply,
"How old will you be in _____ years if you do NOT go to school?"

 

[Bill Pflanz]

It is about time for someone to post that they have multiple degrees and certifications and can't find a job since they are overqualified. It is too bad that society has associated getting education with getting employment as opposed to learning.

That said, I would recommend getting the degree for the additional knowledge you will gain.

Bill Pflanz