Degree vs. Certification: The Career Development Conundrum

How did you answer this question when you were a child? “What do you want to be when you grow up?” It conjures all kinds of memories and images. Some of us are miles away from our youthful responses regarding the work we do today, and that’s okay. Maybe the most critical consideration is not that we’re doggedly chasing the ethereal dream jobs we pictured in our youth. What’s truly most important is how we are managing our own professional journeys and development. There’s a saying that goes, “If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.” If you want to be unstoppable, all you have to do is decide what kind of learning you want. Of course, your checkbook will have something to say about it, so let’s look at what to consider regarding your career development.

Matching your training needs to your professional aspirations not only takes time; it also has costs along the way. When it comes to choosing the education that will help you to advance your career, where should you put your money? Should you choose a college or university degree program, or should you start with a certification program, and see where that leads? There are valid concerns about the state of higher and continued education in the United States today, not the least of which is the cost. This illustration shows important aspects to consider:

Here’s a strategy suggestion that will help you to choose the right education or training path:

1. Begin with the End in Mind (Habit #2 – Stephen Covey “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”)
   • Athletes often use imagery as a tool to fuel their performance. They picture making that winning goal or moving through each lap of a race. It’s the same for you! Picture yourself moving through a day at work in the job you want.
     • Where are you?
     • What are you doing?
     • Who is on your team?
     • What is your total compensation?
2. Look at job descriptions
   • Go to the search box at the top of your LinkedIn profile. Type in a job title that you are interested in securing. (Example: program manager.) Open a job and read the description. What educational training or credentials does it require?
   • Do the same thing on USAJOBS.gov.
     • What are the agencies and military branches looking for in these roles?
3. Check out Indeed.com
   • Indeed.com has a lot of resources that will help you to decide on your education path.

Social media conversations, such as those on Reddit, can also help you to understand the educational qualifications needed for certain jobs. Just be willing to weed through some of the “less filtered” participant responses.

Once you have a taste of what it takes to land good jobs in your areas of interest, you are equipped to decide which education or training options are best for helping you to move in your ideal direction.

The multi-faceted nature of Susan Powell’s professional background paints the picture of a lifetime learner who has always taken full control of her career path and decisions to apply her learning experiences in the most productive ways possible. Susan has brought her passion for writing and communications to every career upgrade and role, which helped her to secure the Marketing Director position for a cybersecurity company that she holds today. Fueled by her continued enthusiasm for earning applicable certifications, she continues to develop her marketing prowess and channel partner marketing skills. This former elementary teacher-turned-marketer is still a happy work-in-progress.

_{Title Image Credit: pixabay.com. Infographic Image Credit: Created on Canva}