Master's degrees

[Discuss Thrower]

Who has one (or many)?

Are you currently or recently worked in the field that pertained to your field of study?

Was it worth the time and money?

Does having a post-grad degree prevent you from working on other fields?

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Welp, I'm ruled out of an MBA because I don't have a business-related undergrad.

Really frustrating.. I applied for two jobs (copywriter for retail company and "proposal specialist" at an accounting firm) two weeks ago that I have yet to hear back from. Which means I'm not getting hired, even though these are the only two jobs I'm qualified for.

?

I got an MBA without a business related undergrad (BS computer science).

You just have to take some leveling courses. I got to skip all the math (business calc, stats) ones and the rest were easy (econ, accounting, and blaw).

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by confused

I'd bet my left nut that my Harvard MBA has gotten me further in life than anything you could fathom.

Well, that one does. It's considered one of the best.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by loochy

?

I got an MBA without a business related undergrad (BS computer science).

You just have to take some leveling courses. I got to skip all the math (business calc, stats) ones and the rest were easy (econ, accounting, and blaw).

It'd be around a year of undergrad study.

Even then, what's the point? If I do that and get an MBA I'd be 30 with no work experience beyond freelance writing.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

It'd be around a year of undergrad study.

Even then, what's the point? If I do that and get an MBA I'd be 30 with no work experience beyond freelance writing.

It's better than being 30 with no work experience beyond freelance writing and no MBA.*




*if you have the money

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

From a educational standpoint, it's a great education- no idea how online classes would work as the lectures and engaging & exchange between students is pretty vital.

They use online forums for discussions between students. These are also used in traditional classes as another feature.

[loochy]

Originally Posted by RunKC

This isn't about an MBA, but it's business. Is anyone here certified in six sigma or know about it? The company I work for is going to pay for mine which is really cool.
The only thing I've heard is that it is pretty valuable to have in this economy.

Thoughts?

Yes, it's very valuable. They love six sigma and lean folks because they can readily identify areas to cut cost and improve productivity. They generate lots of savings.

[Aspengc8]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Who has one (or many)?

Are you currently or recently worked in the field that pertained to your field of study?

Was it worth the time and money?

Does having a post-grad degree prevent you from working on other fields?

Master of Network & Communication Management from DeVry.

Yes, been working in telecommunications since 2002.

Yes, current employer reimbursed for classes. Also a nice bump in salary. Didn't really learn much, most was a breeze since this was all familiar territory for me.

Not really. Any kind of IT/Network/Telecommunications jobs look for job experience more than anything. Then usually education & certs. As long as you know your shit, your fine. If you try to BS in the technical interview, they will just LOL at you.

[Misplaced_Chiefs_Fan]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Who has one (or many)?

Are you currently or recently worked in the field that pertained to your field of study?

I've completed my classwork and am one thesis away from completing my Master of Arts in English. I am a technical writer and an author, so yeah, it's related to what I do. Plus, I intend to do some adjunct faculty in the near future.

Was it worth the time and money?

Hell yes. Then again, my company gives me X amount a year for training and hell, I'd be stupid to let it go to waste. I'm going to complete my degree and probably am out $1900 out of pocket. All I owe my company is 18 months (and since I've been here 15 years already, it's not like I'm going anywhere). I figure I'll wait until I actually retire before doing my doctorate - give me something to do rather than just sit around the house.

Does having a post-grad degree prevent you from working on other fields?

No, but then again, my undergraduate degree had very little to do with me getting my former job (military) nor my current job (government contractor) nor my future job (retired/writer).

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Who has one (or many)?

B.F. A. Bachelor of Fine Arts degree which is normally 4 years but can take longer due to the amount of studio course work required.

Are you currently or recently worked in the field that pertained to your field of study?

In a related field but not exactly my major...although I do use my major from time to time.

Was it worth the time and money?

Yes and no. In some respects yes. In others no.

Degree is not absolutely needed in my field--talent including good ideas and experience is valued more. If you can do the work and have a good "book" you will be hired.

I think having some education or training in it does help though. I can't stand designers who format type incorrectly or only know "programs." I think an Art Director with a college degree is better rounded too. Some places want it, others don't care. It depends.

I've done work for Disney, Converse ( when it was around) Reebok, other show manufacturers, Holiday Inns and many other large, medium and small companies. I've done international packaging and even work used at the Olympics. I got these because I was decent at sales. Had to learn how to run a small business by the seat of my pants and the school of hard knocks.

The pay was excellent when I was doing it a lot more. Now I take in what I want, and plan on manufacturing my own design products. Just waiting for Obama to be out of office. I got this idea after hearing what the Creative Director at division of Disney thought I was the best at. So it will be that. But I will market test it first.

Does having a post-grad degree prevent you from working on other fields?

No. I can work in education and have as an adjunct doing one course a semester while working. I could work in sales because I've had to do that since I work for myself and even had a small staff at one time.

[BucEyedPea]

Discuss Thrower--if you've been a copywriter you can just expand on that on your own and get into a good situation.

In fact, my daughter visited large agencies in Chicago for a field trip with an ad group at her school. She was consistently told by people in the creative and even the non-creative depts that they did not have degrees in advertising. Those in creative said -- good ideas, talent and a good "book" is what are needed.

[ghak99]

Originally Posted by Rain Man

I tend to think of a master's degree as a focusing force. Ideally, you get your undergraduate degree and go out and work and figure out what you like and what you don't like and who has the cool jobs that you really want. Then you get a master's degree that will help you move into that area by giving you a foot in the door.

This is the approach I took. Despite being heavily recruited to come back, I left with my BS and wanted to go play in the real world a while. I was about as debt free as one could be, so off I went. While doing some traveling/working I noticed several other jobs I thought I would enjoy and thrive at and found that they all required a Master's Degree. While working with the people holding these positions they informed me a couple of these positions had numerous openings, or soon to be openings, all over the country. My interest was peaked until I quickly realized the compensation for these positions was straight up horrible. I'm talking high school and GED level salaries.

Going back to school in order to fill one of those positions, or something similar, made absolutely zero ****ing sense to me. I know two guys who went back and got their Master's and filled the two positions where I'm located. Their pay is crap, there is no moving up the ladder, you are what you are until you're tired of it, or die. **** that.

I still haven't figured out what I want to be when I grow up. They can put it on my tombstone for all I care.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by loochy

It's better than being 30 with no work experience beyond freelance writing and no MBA.*




*if you have the money

Which is beyond stupid.

[Discuss Thrower]

Originally Posted by BucEyedPea

Discuss Thrower--if you've been a copywriter you can just expand on that on your own and get into a good situation.

In fact, my daughter visited large agencies in Chicago for a field trip with an ad group at her school. She was consistently told by people in the creative and even the non-creative depts that they did not have degrees in advertising. Those in creative said -- good ideas, talent and a good "book" is what are needed.

I don't have a copywriting portfolio. I have a freelance sports journalism one, and it's not good.

I've debated working for free at any of the agencies in town as an intern, but again, I don't have experience so I doubt that will get me in the door.

[BucEyedPea]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

I don't have a copywriting portfolio. I have a freelance sports journalism one, and it's not good.

I've debated working for free at any of the agencies in town as an intern, but again, I don't have experience so I doubt that will get me in the door.

It's tough to break into under those circumstances but it can be done. But you have to make it happen with leg work.

I had that problem after graduation because my portfolio didn't have graphic design samples in it but illustration. I had some of those classes in college of art I attended but my portfolio was illustration heavy. I got work from publishers but there wasn't enough of it unless I went to New York or got a rep who took on lots of other illustrators. And the pay wasn't as much as advertising and promotion paid.

Anyway, I decided I liked the job the art director had at the publishing houses more. Because they came up with the main ideas or concepts. I picked up one other needed course and offered my services free to the restaurant where I waitressed during school and after for a short while. That got me introduced to their printer, who gave me work. And then they opened up more restaurants too. So then they started paying me. One thing just led to the other and I was in business learning on the job. I also read design material too. I had to pound a lot of pavement for awhile but it paid off eventually. I even was hired to teach at my alma mater and other places based on portfolio and experience.

After, I offered free services I took a marketing course. I negotiated with printers to sell me the "overs" and I mailed them out as samples with a cover letter by phasing how many I sent out so I could do follow up sales calls, soon after. That worked really well. Then I opened a small space across from a PR firm and they used me too. You just have to make those connections. Then they start to steamroll.

That's how I did it.

[BucEyedPea]

Also, you have to come right out and ask for the order. So many sales people don't even do that.

Just get out there and talk to people, find out what they need and deliver that.
If you can learn to sell, it will make you a better copywriter. David Ogilvy sold vacuum cleaners door to door for a while. He later became a millionaire in advertising.