Given that I was a professor at both the college and university, my students were surprised when I did not always encourage further study after graduation. Sometimes I would say: “You’re ready. Get on with the rest of your life.”
I have a very practical perspective on this.
For some career paths you need a university degree and experience.
If you are going into business you need some specific skills and experience.
Colleges do an excellent job of training in the technical aspects of the job. In a business program you can learn to use the software common to the workplace. You will learn some contract law, some human resource skills and explore the basics of marketing. In an accounting program you will learn how and why to record transactions and how to prepare and read a financial statement.
University may provide some of the same training and provides more theory. University can provide simulation of real life decision making in complex situations through case work or games. A degree in marketing, business or human resources may be the entry level requirement for the career you want. If so – go get it.
But if you can start your career now – after college or after university – go and do it.
I simply do not see the point of doing more than you need to do to achieve your goal. Save your energy for other things. Of course, that is the same reason that when I was a student I did not stress over obtaining high marks. If a course was particularly interesting, or quite easy, I took pleasure on seeing high marks assigned. If a course was deadly boring or very challenging I was perfectly content to see a passing grade.
By spending my energy more efficiently I was able to obtain all of my post secondary education while raising a family and working. I was an adult learner.
The traditionally aged college or university student could use the saved energy to volunteer or work part time in a related field. They could take seminars and workshops to develop soft skills. They could watch TED talks. Or even spend some time and energy being young – it only happens once you know.
Does this mean that I think there is no value in postgraduate studies? Not at all – but within reason.
The Globe and Mail published an article by Aubrey Chapnick , in which he noted, “Over all, the MBA certainly provided me with a nice jump in salary and enhanced job scope…”.
But you need to read the entire article for the full story.
He thinks it will take 10 to 12 years for the investment in the degree to pay back through increased salary. He cautions: “Choosing to enroll in an MBA, is a complex decision that requires a lot of upfront work. For all those considering the degree, put in the effort to see if it is the right move for you given your respective career and life stage.”
An MBA program can provide a new and different perspective for someone seeking a career change or who wants to up their game. It is appropriate for someone who is already successful in their career. It is usually wasted on someone who lacks the work experience to appreciate the complexities of the business world.
We need to remember that it is the program that is valuable, not the degree. We sometimes forget that the degree, any degree, is only a symbol of the effort, learning and experiences involved in obtaining it.
I think if I were hiring someone with no job experience I would ask: “what is the most important thing you learned in school?” The answers would provide so much more insight than the more common: “how were your grades?”
My advice – get on with it. Experience, interpersonal skills and maturity all take time to develop. More credentials cannot serve as proxy. In most cases, postgraduate degrees should only be considered after you have worked in your chosen field and understand what value additional education could have – from a learning or promotion perspective.
I taught some students who performed well in the classroom but with no evident interest or enjoyment in the topics. I would think – this student will likely end up doing something different than what they currently see for themselves. That’s fine. So long as they haven’t invested ten or twelve years obtaining advanced degrees – just because they have good marks.
I advocate obtaining the minimum required to start on your career path. Get started and while you work, experience the many variables and divergent paths available within your chosen career. When you find something that interests you, when you see the need for more education – find a way to obtain it. There is almost always a way although it may not be quick or cheap. One foot in front of the other, move forward, be vigilant for where your interests take you.
Sometimes getting the first job means you have to lower your expectations – temporarily. Remember, it is only the beginning of your life – you can and will reach your goal.
A doctoral degree is necessary in a few professions. In others it is only useful if you plan a university career, a research path or if you are destined to become an expert thought leader on the topic. Any of these destinations can still be reached with a pause for some real-life work experience. Experience is never detrimental to, and in fact always enhances formal education.
Work is education. Life is education.
One of my students had a job offer immediately after graduating from college. She was a good student, with solid marks and a great attitude. She was conflicted because she saw herself obtaining an accounting designation and thought the job was a barrier to her goals. I suggested she take the job and obtain the degree and accounting credentials on a part time basis.
Her parents wanted her to continue with her education. The job offer was good but it was entry level. They were sure that with an accounting designation she would do better. They told her to go to university while they were willing to pay for it and support her.
I told her to suggest that her parents stockpile the cash they would have spent to finance three more years of university. Then they could pay for her part-time courses instead. They would be ahead and so would she.
She was ready to work. She was excited to start her “real life”. Her parents agreed with her plan and it worked – with one small deviation. Her path took her away from accounting and into computer science. She did obtain a degree – just not the one she thought she wanted.
I decided to ask a real student the interview question I posed earlier. What is the most important thing you learned in school?
He said; “I think the most important thing I’ve learned in school is simply how to learn. All the knowledge I’ve gained from school is incredibly valuable. But all of those topics are subject to change, and every job I do will have its own broad set of tasks for me to learn. There is so much to learn in my field that no matter how much schooling I do, there will always be things I don’t know how to do. So, over the years of school (even all the way back to elementary school) the most important thing I’ve learned is (simply) how to learn.”
Bright young man (my grandson Kyle Causton who is studying computer science at Carleton University).
He’s almost ready. And the world is waiting.