College degree question

[randtx]

Is an associates degree in Management worth anything. I mean, will it get you into the door of a management position? I know a bachelor's is better but I will be starting out with no gollege at all, going part time (1-2 classes per semester) so it would take forever to get a bachelors.

[kyle1974]

honestly, I don't think you could expect to walk right into a manager's position after getting an associates degree.

for the last 2 companies I've worked for, the managers are typically someone with numerous years of experience (10+), or advanced degrees (MBA, or other master's degree).

[Eagles1181]

Depends on what you are looking to manage. I think that would give you a step up for positions in retail, simply because a fair number of those managers come from within their company may not have any college either. Beyond that not going to help much.

Eagle

[DorothyNotKeegan]

I don't even think a bachelor will allow you to walk right into a manager's job with some experience. Just my experience...

[randtx]

I agree, but what if you are working for a company, have several years experience, are a supervisor, and a management position became available, would an associates help get you into the managers position or would the company look for someonewith a bachelors? I know it depends, but would an associates degree help?

[DorothyNotKeegan]

I'd say it'd help but if there a stipulation of a BS or BA then you're out. For the money and long haul...the option would be to get a BS or BA. I'd even make yourself more marketable by eventually getting an MBA. I know it's easy to say but I got my BS then waited 4 years to complete my MLS.

[wellingtontx]

Something is better than nothing; however, you would be better served by getting that 4 year degree if you want to be in management.

[WyoBull]

A bachelor's degree with no experience is not going to get you into a management position. Of course, it depends on what your definition of management is today. I see a lot of people with the manager title behind their name that have absolutely nobody under their leadership.
One thing I know for sure though... the high bar is raised every year with regards to education. It used to be a bachelors degree was what one needed to be competitive coming out of school. Today, depending on what field you are in, a masters degree is the least you might have to have in order to be seriously considered coming out of school.

[BrandonH]

For most management positions I've noticed you need an MBA or other Graduate degree before being considered, so I seriously doubt an Associates will do much for you.

[Bill]

The community college system is a good way to get started in a college education for many reasons. Cost, not getting taught by graduate students who really don't want to be there teaching, plus more.

If you do not have your heart set on something else, starting to take courses towards an AS in Business is a good idea. Will it be a door opener to a 6-figure management job? Probably not. But it's a step. You can transfer the credits in the future to a 4-year school if you want to continue.

Consider your alternatives. Given that you will invest the time, energy and money in an AS degree, what else could you be going towards? IT/computers? Something else?

If you are not in college right now, I'd say register for courses for the fall semester and then try and see how it "fits".

Advise coming from a guy with 3 college degrees including an MBA and struggling to find a real job.

[MarkV]

I don't even think a bachelor will allow you to walk right into a manager's job with some experience. Just my experience...

I am about to graduate with my masters degree and still having trouble getting a job. The only thing that seems to matter to most companies I have applied for or interviewed with is experience, not the degree.

[Landrover]

Education is what you make of it! Not sure what industry you are pursuing so have a plan in place. Even as a small business owner we assist our folks to pursue 2 or 4 year degrees. A 2 year degree can easily transfer to MOST four year programs. Do your homework to make sure your classes transfer.

[CaptJack]

I'll give you my background first - I have a BA in commercial art with a minor in photography. When I got out of school I went to work for Pennzoil in the exploration department as a geological draftsman. Within a year I was the chief draftsman because I had gone to NCO school in the Army and was a infantry squad leader in Vietnam. My bosses were vets and this meant more to them than my talent as a draftsman.

Ten years later I switched fields and became a scuba instructor and got my Coast Guard boat captain's license. During this process I went back to community college and took two classes on education.

Through the years the most important classes I took have been my education classes and the Army NCO school.

In the 90s I went back to community college to take computer classes in Photoshop, Illustrator, Pagemaker, etc.. (what I use now as a photographer, graphic artist)

My father had a BBA with a minor in psychology from the Univ.of Texas. As soon as he graduated he took all the Dale Carnage classes on sales. He was a home builder in the 50s through the mid 60s. Then a commercial real estate broker from then to the end of his career. He was the most talented salesman I have ever met and told me that it was his psychology classes and his Dale Carnage sales classes that made the most difference in his career. The psychology classes taught him the different personality types which told him which sales closing technique to use on that customer.

The tools that you learn that either make money for the company that you work for, or for yourself are the most important skills that you will learn.

Bill gave you the best advise. Start your AS in business, but learn how to sell and have a skill that makes money. You can always continue your education while you are working. Employers love it when you are continuing to learn new skills that will help their business.

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PS> ALWAYS proof read everything your write. And always spell check everything. Nothing looks worse in business than miss-spelled words, bad grammar, and poor sentence and paragraph construction. It's all about being as professional as you can be.

This is the spell check I use for posts on messages boards > IE Spell Check

[Burnadell]

A degree in itself will not guarantee or get you a job, but adds qualifications to your resume. There are lots of factors that come into play when applying for a particular job/career. Your eduation, ability, personality, experience, inteligence and ability to present yourself to the decision makers will all come into play.

Having an associates degree in management is better than not having it, but will guarantee nothing. It is possible that someone without a degree could beat you out for a job, but when you are searching for a job, arm yourself with as many qualifications as you can; a degree, even an associates degree, is better than no degree. Do it.

[trjones87]

dude Im graduating with a BBA in Business Systems, 2 years experience, and a 3.8 GPA and am having a looot of trouble finding a job. a current Bachelors is the equilavent of a highschool diploma now