....And how successful or unsuccessful have you been in your career?

I am not asking for people to boast about what material things they have or be upset for what they don't have....I am honestly just curious if your education has really played a major role in how successful you've been within your job(s).

Since I have been in my 'chosen' career since before i graduated ( Bachelor, electrical engineering ), so it would be hard to tell how it would have turned out if i hadn't gone. But I've done ok so far and it can only have helped in the long run. ( Have had ups and downs due to market i chose, but overall ive been ok the last 25 years or so )

yes
and, even at my old age, I still continue to take classes
always new stuff in IT
and, I actually enjoy learning more & new stuff

I just got certified in a bunch of random crap. Computer app, computer construction, Surface mount technologys, and a bunch of other random crap. Needless to say it has gotten me no where. If i could do it all over again. I would not. I would have kept my money and been better off with my money. Im like 28 hours away from being a cert diesel tech. But meh. Why bother lol

Business Marketing degree, but didn't use it for the first 25 years of my professional life. I started my own business 5 years ago so now I have to market myself (or I don't eat)

Doug

quote Originally posted by 87antuzzi: I just got certified in a bunch of random crap. Computer app, computer construction, Surface mount technologys, and a bunch of other random crap. Needless to say it has gotten me no where. If i could do it all over again. I would not. I would have kept my money and been better off with my money. Im like 28 hours away from being a cert diesel tech. But meh. Why bother lol

These days the IT field is harder to break into then when i did ( it was hardly a 'field' back then, mostly just a specialists slant for an EE ). Location also plays a huge part.

Never been out of work unless I wanted to be. Well until my stroke. But then I never graduated high school, GED and one class in college auto body damage appraisal.

Everything I own is paid for, including my house.

No brag, just the facts.

Steve

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't.
Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 12-03-2010).]

PM sent...

Mechanical engineer.. wouldn't have my job without the degree. As for it's usefulness.... the majority of what I do is common sense and understanding drawings, specs, material properties and being able to visualise solutions.

So yeah, quite useful I'm successful enough I suppose, lots of room to work my way up from here.

Brad

High School Grad and about 1 year of Criminal Justice, and a few random classes, German, Computer Troubleshooting, Psychology etc.

I can say what I learned in High School has helped me the most, everything I learned there appeared on my ASVAB test. Won't know how much it actually helped me until I start my military career... 11 days left

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I attended The University of Chicago for my BA in English, received my Journalism BA from Southwestern Michigan College/Western Michigan University's Lee Honors College and my Paralegal certification from Roosevelt University in Chicago.

I'm a music producer......go figure.

[This message has been edited by Doni Hagan (edited 12-04-2010).]

I learned some "work-related" stuff in school, but I did most of my IT classes, my degrees and certs AFTER I started working in IT. It helped that the job paid for some of it.

I try not to miss out on opportunities - That is, MAKE THE MOST OUT OF EVERY CONTACT. They usually know people who can get you a job (or at least an internship which might lead to a job)

Every teacher, Professor, Trainer. Nowerdays, most have a website (and blog) or Linkedin...

The way the world is now, It's better to focus on methods of getting INTO a place then just focusing on a degree. Don't get me wrong, a degree IS important, but if you have your heart set on a particular company, TRACK them. check out their staff's bios. Make yourself desirable to them. Also, check to see "who-knows-who"- it's a smaller world then you might think...

Some degrees are better suited for landing a job once you are done. Certain management tracks, or jobs which turn you into a widget expert will make you attractive to companies who make widgets, know what I mean?

From what I've seen, most people prove they have a basic knowledge/aptitude/skillset and then learn/polish their stuff on the job....of course, there ARE exceptions (doctors, etc)

[This message has been edited by FieroRumor (edited 12-03-2010).]

Associates degree in auto repair, or whatever they call it from UTI. Continued with factory training in Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Volvo, BMW, Audi/VW, and Mercedes Benz. Worked for a few years at some dealers, opened and operated 3 or 4 shops for a few years, sold the business name at a premium and retired, though Jaguar has been actively trying to recruit me for a field service engineer position. I also did quite well with some investments and ipo's with a family member, he did better. I'll be 28 next month.

My education did help, to a point. Only thing I would have done different is attended a different tech school, UTI was a bit of a let down in the training side of things, but they had the best contacts in the manufacturers side of things.

[This message has been edited by topher_time (edited 12-03-2010).]

Tenth grade.
Of no practical use.

I have learned more about math, reading & writing, history, science, politics, etc. right here then anywhere else.

Well, I got my first real education from a preacher's daughter who looked just like Natalie Wood. She must have taught me well, because I've been told many times since that I'm very successful.

Oh, wait... you meant occupation?

After high school, and after I got kicked out of Bible college, I had one junior college class in Computer Operations and got my first mainframe operator job in December 1976, and been doing that ever since. Later, I took an intro class on COBOL, and got an A but it never led to a job. Later, I took RPG, but I didn't like RPG and decided I wouldn't want to be an RPG programmer. More recently, I took a short Web Design class, but haven't spent time using what I learned (unlike the experience with the preacher's daughter!). So I'm still an Operator, and I guess I'm successful, but I'd rather be doing something more... productive... important... useful, but I don't know what that would be. Seems I'm stuck doing this.

quote Originally posted by Cheever3000: Well, I got my first real education from a preacher's daughter who looked just like Natalie Wood........

Ah, yes.....my 1st "instructor" was a 35 year old cocktail waitress....She taught me the true meaning of the term "straight, no chaser!"

High school grad (barely). First career ended abbruptly after 9 years in the military. 2nd career ended abruptly after 18 years in the oilfield. 3rd career found me working for a heavy equipment distributor. 4th career found me working back in the oilfield for 3 years. 5th career I was an offshore marine dispatcher on the intracoastal waterway. 6th career found me as a machinist/welder for a couple of years. 7th career found me working in radioactive site remediation for 2 years. 8th career I was again a machinist for 2 years. 9th career sent me to West Texas as a cnc machine operator for 7 years. 10th career I was a tractor mechanic for a Kubota dealership. I retired at age 58 1/2, and am now living the life of a "gentelman farmer".

How successful?
I'm going to heaven. nuff said.

Edited for a whole slew of typing errors.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 12-03-2010).]

B.S. in pharmacy from U. of Iowa. It has played a good role in my success even though I didn't go on to be a pharmacist as originally planned.

M.D. degree from U. of Illinois.

Residency training in internal medicine Medical College of Wisconsin.

Successful? Named in Milwaukee's best doctors multiple times. I suppose that is one measure.

Got spontaneously hugged by 5 different patients today. And that isn't a record day. So that is another measure.


So for me, the education did directly apply and played an extremely major role in how successful it has been.

I've got a two year certificate from a community college. Was just a few hours of academics away from an Associates degree, but pretty much hated school. (Even though I made excellent grades for those two years.)
In terms of monetary success, I suppose I've done okay.
I enjoy my job for the most part, and there seem to be some positive changes happening.
The only other people in my department at my pay grade are the team leads, but I'm pretty much maxed out as far as pay grades. I can still get raises within that grade, however.

How much further would I have gotten with a 4 year degree? One - maybe two pay grades.
The next step in the progression is "supervisor", which I have no desire to do. Or Staff Analyst, which I might make it to, anyway.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 12-03-2010).]

I really find it interesting to hear about what others have done and where they are now

I'm going through a little issue with the path that my education is taking and I'm trying to see what options might be best.

BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Michigan Tech. So far, completely useless, will be paying off the student loans for another 8 years. Nobody I graduated with has gotten a degree-related job, either. Although I did get a call from a recruiter a couple weeks ago about a position in Alabama, and this morning another recruiter called about a position downstate.

Plan B: I have a Master Mechanic's License from the State of Michigan (certified in 11 categories), and P2 Parts Specialist ASE Certified. If I can get a job in a shop I can start getting the required experience to get ASE mechanic certifications. Had an interview a month ago, but they wanted someone with Subaru experience. Hopefully auto companies might also appreciate an engineer who has PRACTICAL experience with cars.

quote Originally posted by sarabear: I really find it interesting to hear about what others have done and where they are now I'm going through a little issue with the path that my education is taking and I'm trying to see what options might be best.

Always good to check your options - I switched paths along the way myself in college (from BIO to IT) I miss the lab, but at the time, it looked like the money wasn't going to start drying up (grants) and the type of research I was interested in pursuing would probably not be allowed...

I graduated Highschool and then got a Technical Associates Degree in Architechtural/CAD Drafting. I am NASA certified in Soldering and I completed a Electronics Technology course.

When I graduated from Tech School the recession hit and no one was hiring in architecural drafting. Several years later when the recession tunred around my degree was outdated and I was out of practice. I kept around blueprints by working at a machine shop and doing construction. One day here, may be pretty soon with the way the economy is, I plan to take some refresher courses at the local college and whatever other courses I would need to change my degree from Technical Associates to an Associates and try again to get started in Architecture. Up until now though, I haven't really done anything with my degree, sadly.

[This message has been edited by Khw (edited 12-03-2010).]

quote Originally posted by frontal lobe: Successful? Named in Milwaukee's best doctors multiple times. I suppose that is one measure. Got spontaneously hugged by 5 different patients today. And that isn't a record day. So that is another measure. So for me, the education did directly apply and played an extremely major role in how successful it has been.

Frontal Lobe,

I've always seemed to have a lot of respect for you on this board, not only because of your well spoken (typed?) and intelligent responses but also because I know you are a doctor and do something I could never, ever hope to do. What you typed reminded me of what you have achieved and it is awesome. It's great how many 'careers' maryjane has had and that topher_time has been able to retire before 30, but I think being a doctor is a great thing to do. (No offense either of you two either!)

Thanks again, even though I've never met you, you are a role model for everyone in my eyes.

Now, as for this thread goes, I'm finishing up my teaching certification so at the moment, working at a cell phone shop, no, my education has not helped my career. In another 5 years I hope the story is very different and I can be teaching, but for now I just feed the masses their consumer driven retail nonsense.

~ Derek

I didn't graduate high school and I was living on my own at 16 and working fulltime. I have managed to get quite far in my professional career with minimal education. Went from a cashier at a deli, to hotel front office, to banking and now to the healthcare world. Of course, I went and got my GED and I'm about halfway thru an associates in business administration. I work full time and go to school at night currently.

I have been debating on switching my focus to a BS in healthcare management since my current job is in the medical field. I work for a state owned hospital, have great benefits and in two and a half years have worked my way up thru the system. I am truly in a great place and believe that if I keep at it, I'll be able to make it quite far with the organization.

My issue at the moment is that I'm getting burnt out. And I feel as if I'm going to burn myself out then maybe I should be persuing "higher education"...why am I spinning my wheels for an associates degree when I could be spinning my wheels towards a bachelors degree.

I am offered 3 classes a year at the University of North Carolina. As long as I make decent grades (maintain my current 4.0gpa) the hospital I work for will reimburse me for the classes. Right now I am getting my classes at the community college paid for by two scholarships but I have a feeling that next year I will not be so lucky. (I have gotten a promotion and a generous raise since I applied for financial assistance for this current school year....but it's still not enough to be able to afford to pay for classes out of pocket).

It's a tough decision for me and I need to figure it out sooner rather than later....


Don-You've really had your hands in all sorts of things over the years! I can only dream of being able to retire before 60!

Yeah, well I had 4 other mouths to feed so I did what i had to--never turn down a job unless it's for a better one.

I made it in the blue collar world Sara, without any formal education, but I always have and still firmly believe a person cannot go wrong with a few degees under their belt. These are unusual times right now, and admittedly, there are lots of college grads working outside their degreed fields--or not at all, but things should right themselves eventually, and you will be in the catbird's seat when it does. Good luck to ya!

Well, in January I'm starting a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.

I honestly see NO way that I could work for Pratt and Whitney working on jet engine design or anything fun without a degree.

If I don't succeed in getting this degree, my life will be a miserable one filled with jobs I won't be satisfied with whatsoever.

Aerospace is pretty hot though where I live, Montreal.

Maybe you should get a sugar daddy to help finance your dreams...

quote Originally posted by pmbrunelle: Maybe you should get a sugar daddy Fiero owner to help finance your dreams...

Hahaha, I keed, I keed.

highschool, been in the military since, but when i grow up and if i get out of the military i was thinking of either medical field which i have a little bit of experience in due to the nature of my job,or ive always wanted to be something like a mechanical engineer

Short version of my story.

Got my Associates after High School, spent a couple of great years in the Marines, got my Bachelors and then joined the Army as a commissioned officer. Thought about going back for my Masters degree but, I honestly don't see it as being that big of a deal for me personally.

Someone that I really respect told me once that a degree won't make you successful but, it will open doors. A degree is like a ticket, it'll get you on the ride but it won't keep you there, only a good performance will do that.

Of course, there are fields that require degrees up to and including a Doctorate but, I didn't and don't feel the need to go there. Simply put, I'm not smart enough or determined enough to earn one of those. An education of any kind is always worth it. It will never hurt you and can only help you get through those doors that will not open unless you have that sheep skin.

I do have a friend that is a professional student, he has more degrees and diplomas that I can count but, he also isn't worth a damn for anything useful. Well, maybe Trivia Pursuit.

Ron

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 12-03-2010).]

HS i hated school!!

when i was 17, i didnt get the chance to move out, (1997) my mom packed up and moved out to Vegas before i was done with HS, so i was left to run a house by myself that my grandparents owned
i was forced to get a full time job right away
i worked 60 hrs a week in a machine shop.
did a few machine shops , then ended up working in a rigging shop working in a small company, just 18 of us total, and now i run the shipping and receiving, i have been there 8 years and it is a wonderful group of people
its nice to be an asset to the company, VS someone that is easily replaced by another joe blow

Master of Business Administration I have a BS in Psy also. I have been in the military so I haven't used my degrees in work yet. After my retirement I am going to get my doctorate in clinical psychology

I have a bachelors in Police Administration, a Masters in American History, and a Specialist degree in School Administration (those along with a $1.00 will get me something from the value menu at Wendy's). I'm currently teaching Middle School math. Ironically even though my test scores are often among the best in the state(not that I put much credence into "snap shot" assessments that seem to be designed primarily to make testing companies rich), the new national education initiative (Race to the Top) will probably force me to teach Social Studies or face a severe pay cut. This wouldn't be relevant, except many school systems are begging for math and science teachers. The alternative is to become an administrator, but I obviously don't know the right people for that. So, yes my Masters degree along with about 25 semester hours of college level math got me into education. Without them, I probably would have stayed at the prison (where I made 33% more money, worked 8 hour days with overtime pay, and would have been retired by now). Funny how Illinois valued uneducated "baby sitters more than educators. As for the Specialist degree, it was valued by the school system enough to earn me a nice pay raise that I'll probably soon be losing under Race to the Top. So, if I'd have known that the school system would reneg on paying me for having a Specialist degree, I would not have wasted my time away from my family and my family's resources pursuing it. So, yes, you are taking a gamble at your expense, in time and money, to pursue an education. My advice is to pick a field (like medicine) that shows growth potential in the future, can't be out-sourced, doesn't depend on taxes. Without an education, the labor market that you'll be competing in is, statistically, paid substantially less. As I ask my students, "What knowledge or skills will you have that will make somebody willing to pay you a decent living?" I hope this didn't sound like a rant.

[This message has been edited by carnut122 (edited 12-03-2010).]

Bachelor's in Business Admin, IT Major. Comptia A+, Network+ and Security+ certs. Worked as an IT Tech for a Media 500 Broadcasting company in collage. Worked as an IT Admin for 7 years after collage for a local corporation. Worked at the Pentagon for 2 years as an IT Logistics and Supply Analyst. Been unemployed since march (due to a move) and staying with family/friends. Just got a job a couple weeks ago working part time at staples moving stock and trying to apply for Army officer school as it is currently my best option by far.

OK, so the first degree you get is call a bachelor's degree, abbreviated "BS"
we all know what that really stands for

Next, you go for the "MS"
that stands for: More of the Same

Finally, you get your "PhD"
which stands for: Piled Higher and Deeper"

Bachelors in Political Science, Minor in Accounting with a Cert in Women Studies (dont' ask) .

[This message has been edited by Wichita (edited 12-04-2010).]

Recent unemployment stats indicate(it was just on the news): dropped out of high school 15+ %, high school degree 9+%, some college 8+%, college degree 4+%. The over-all unemployment rate was 9+%, so having a degree halved one's chances of being unemployed.

quote Originally posted by carnut122: Recent unemployment stats indicate(it was just on the news): dropped out of high school 15+ %, high school degree 9+%, some college 8+%, college degree 4+%. The over-all unemployment rate was 9+%, so having a degree halved one's chances of being unemployed.

Although I already knew this to be the way things are, this further supports the need to get an education. There is nothing, absolutely nothing wrong with blue collar work. Done it myself but, the question is, what do you want for your kids? Earning a degree is something you can always hold up and use to open that door.

The above quote only verifies what many have already said. Education Pays. If nothing else, it will help you stay employed during the hard times. Carnut, thanks for posting this information.

Ron

Graduated HS in 1970 - passed on college golf and got into the golf business - 20 year PGA career / Married and changed careers -ask Tiger about the distractions Spent 20 years in the automotive aftermarket - General Manager of a very successful private owned store and warehouse. Owner was killed on his Harley - Widow sold us out to a national chain - National Chain downsized and I along with most of the higher paid were put out to pasture - currently in the Insurance Business - no way I'll be doing this for 20 years.

9th grade.

Got my GED in my early twenties because my supervisor could not give me a raise because of NO Highschool diploma.

Got an associates degree in Computer Programming when I turned 30, made the deans list with little effort.

Formal education has little to do with inteligence and common sense.

Grandfather with not even grade school education was in the navy in WWII, worked in the textile mills, eventually went to work at a wholesaler, became president of the company by the 1970's, ran it succesfully til he retired in the late 80's. A few years after his retirement when the smart kids took over the company it became non-existant.

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Dealing with failure is easy: work hard to improve. Success is also easy to handle: you've solved the wrong problem, work hard to improve.