My DL degree helped land me a great job!

Several months back I stumbled in here a tired, over worked but, very well paid non-degree holder. I decided that I wanted to stay in sales but didn't want to work long hours and travel as much as I was.

So, it was time to go after a top sales job. Well, guess what? Most of these top sales jobs required a BS at the minimum. I decided it was time for another big step and another big risk again in my life.

I jumped off the money cart and jumped head first into a degree program. Many people I knew questioned my sanity and my ability to really get a real degree in the time that I said that I could. Even some people here questioned why I had to quit my job to do this thing. I was traveling 75% of the time and that doesn't mix with having 5 kids. I was worn out and each week required about 75 hours of work. I'm an all or nothing kind of a guys.

I went out and bought all of the study guides that I could find and jumped in. I knocked out a bunch of courses in a hurry. I signed up for courses at Mountain State, TESC and Education Direct. All of these being either RA (obviously) or ACE reviewed courses and transferable to any of the Big 3. I am still going towards the finish line. I expect to graduate sometime before summer. In the meantime I am going to take some MBA course from Aspen to get a jump on that.

Well, being the freshly out of money student that I have become I decided to hit the streets and find a job, bummer. I begain banging doors about 4 or so weeks ago and the pipeline was getting pretty darn full. I had interview after interview and stupid question after stupid question. Where do these guys come up with this stuff? Sales managers can be such quacks at times. Only a few of the offers brought about any kind of excitment. Nobody questioned the wonderfulability of my DL degree. Well, my almost degree, my resume reads BSBA expected completion date 3/05.

Finally, the company that I was most excited about called and wanted to talk some with me. So, I jumped in my ride and did my best great sales guy impression. The CFO was doing the interviewing. I told him the story about my degree plan and why there was a void of several months in my work history. He seemed impressed. The future plans for my MBA was of great interest to him. My new job will be on the executive team as the Sales Director. The CFO stated that it is always a plus and it looks good to have an advanced degree if your gonna be a top dude. We talked some about him picking up the tab for my edjumacation (I'm always selling, i just can't help it). IMO, the DL degree put my over the top with this guy.

Bingo, I'm the Sales Director for this company. I will have oversite of the marketing machine nation wide that is already in place and I will be in charge of the local market as far as penetration goes.

This is a new medical devise that helps treat vascular problems. Mostly problems that are located in the back end of medicine. That's right, I will help Docs across the nation treat buttholes. This product just became FDA approved and Docs everywhere are begging for this new non-surgical, non-invasive way of treating hemorroids. Don't laugh, 80% of you will need this treatment at some point in your life. The joke is on you...and me.

Anyway, it is new, it is somewhat right up my alley (no I don't have hemorroids right now). I have everyone here to thank.

But, really I have God to thank for getting me through this time and giving me favor with these guys.

In my case a DL MBA did pay off. Imo, having an MBA is better to have for mid-career folks so long as it is a low cost one. It may or may not put you over the top but, if it does it is worth it. If it doesn't, you may never know or you may be sorry. It's still a personal choice I suppose.

One more thing. I had an interview question that I thought was very interesting.

Would you rather win or not lose?

 

What a great story! Thank you for sharing it. I'd say that it shows that DL kicks butt, though that may not be the right metaphor in this case. Anyway, your success is a great example of what can be done with DL, and I hope the new hemorrhoid treatment is successful and alleviates suffering. Best wishes, Janko

 

Congratulations on your accomplishments.

How did you answer the interview qustion?

 

Congratulations! As an ex-software sales rep, I can fully appreciate the range of craziness in sales management.

I'm especially happy to hear about your positive experience with Aspen. I believe it is nationally accredited, and there has been much discussion over the utility of such a degree in the job market and academia. Obviously, no such problems for you.

Cheers.

 

I said I would rather win. I would rather strive to do something good rather than strive to avoid something bad.

I would rather go towards something instead of running away from something.

To me, it is a negative vs positive deal. I'm generally optimistic so I aim at the good.

I equate it to my experience with getting free for bad habits that have entangled me. I would rather run towards God vs. running away from satan. Same results, different approach.

It wasn't a question at the interview for the job that I took. It was another company. He said that he answered the question the opposite way in an interview himself and it got him the job. He didn't explain any further.

 

Hmmm. American culture is all about winning. Second place is no place. I would never even think to answer any other way than you did.

 

congrats!

 

Congratulations!!!

Great job Skidadl. Thanks for sharing. Best of luck in your new position.

 

CONGRATULATIONS!

Super story, thanks for sharing.

 

While your educational accomplishments are not to be sniffed at, none of it would have happened without your having the courage to take a bold step. Congratulations and good luck in the future.
Jack