Is there such a thing as to many degrees?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by NMTTD, Aug 14, 2012.

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  1. NMTTD

    NMTTD Active Member

    I love learning. And while I plan to use my degrees to get the job I want and work, I really love being in school and learning. But I cant see just taking courses willy nilly. So Im wondering....is there such a thing as to many degrees, and can having multiple degrees actually hurt your employment chances? I want to get grad degrees in Poli Sci, International Relations, Diplomacy, and Human Rights. All are somewhat similar in that they deal with the international community in one way or another. But they also deal with different things. Poli Sci is a good foundation. But I wonder if International Relations is to close to Diplomacy. And of course Im passionate about Human Rights. I would love a job with the State Dept working on international Human Rights policy, negotiating changes in the policies that already exist, or maybe working for an embassy overseas somewhere involved in diplomatic relations pertaining to human rights. Would to many degrees hurt my chances of being taken seriously? I know that the competition is fierce for jobs with the government, but I was thinking that if I had more than one degree, it would show that I am passionate, serious, and educated about diplomacy, international relations, and human rights. Maybe they would help me stand out a bit. Am I on to something, or am I way off base here??
     
  2. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    In academia among a community of peers that all have multiple college degrees it won't hurt you at all.
    In the private sector where having one degree is the norm, two if you're an exec, it can hurt you.

    Get whatever degrees you want. Don't put them all on your resume unless they're all relevant to the position you're applying to.
     
  3. distancedoc2007

    distancedoc2007 New Member

    Well, you gotta be you! The worst that can happen is that they talk about you as: "Oh, yeah, that person with all the degrees." At least they are talking about you...
     
  4. TonyM

    TonyM Member

    Yep, you can have too many

    Too many degrees can keep you broke and limit your time and energy for other things like family, career and recreation. Your resume will likely suffer if you've devoted too much of your life to getting degree after degree. Too many degrees might mean that you lack experience in your field or are behind for your age.

    We can be judged two by we know and what we can do. Once you have a proper education it's time to start working and gaining experience and skills. Like ITJD said academia will appreciate a lot of degrees, but they will eventually want to see that you've successfully taught or published before they let you join their club.

    You can always just read books, follow hobbies and take new jobs to keep learning.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 14, 2012
  5. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Why get degrees in the subject when you can read books for free at the library?
     
  6. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Randell,

    I believe you are the one with the most degrees in this forum, you have about 5 RA accredited degrees plus all your state approved degrees with a total of 7 or 8 degrees?

    I also accumulated quite a few degrees in my life and at some point went into teaching as industry wasnt paying for these degrees in particular the IT business.

    To the OP, all you need is a good BS from a good school and may be a masters degree. You can get 3,4,8 or plus degrees but this wont increase your salary or your job prospects. I would rather have an MBA from Harvard than 8 degrees from low tier schools. With online education and internet, you will see more people getting multiple degrees and even multiple doctorates, I dont think getting multiple degrees will differentiate you anymore but just put you in more debt.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 14, 2012
  7. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Doesn't the Rev. Dr. Chief Swift Eagle have nine degrees? :evil::evil::evil::evil:
     
  8. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Too many degrees can make a man unmarriageable.
     
  9. RAM PhD

    RAM PhD Member

    The Chief's greatest trophy, imho, is his curtain rod.
     
  10. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    Indeed....
     
  11. cookderosa

    cookderosa Resident Chef

    I think that's excellent advice. Your resume is a marketing document, not an affidavit.
     
  12. truckie270

    truckie270 New Member

    That is hilarious coming from you! I am surprised you haven't started that Masters in VCR Repair yet! :haha:
     
  13. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    I think he started a new masters in finance not too long time ago. He teaches marketing, IT, project management, health care and now will be qualified to teach finance.
    I agree, not the best person to advice against getting more degrees.
     
  14. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    I knew someone would catch this!!!!! By the way, I have a certificate in VCR repair from my days at Sanyo/Fisher (1988). All of my degrees have a focus on my career - none were for "fun".
     
  15. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Now to clarify, I did not start anything in finance, I do not teach project management or healthcare. WOW - can no one see the irony of my comment? Have we all lost our sense of humor?

    I do teach IT and marketing.
    I do have an RA BS, MS, MBA, PhD and graduate certificate. I do have a BS and MBA from CCU pre-accreditiation.

    I did start to study for a Lean Certificate exam from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) but have not finished reading the fourth required book. I have not taken any classes in over a year for anything. I have decided to just read some books on the topics I am interested.
     
  16. RFValve

    RFValve Well-Known Member

    Arent you experiencing any withdrawal symptoms? I am sorry, I remembed you mentioned something about finance so I thought you were doing something in this area.
     
  17. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    If you consider having fun and enjoying life a withdrawal then yes I am!. I was thinking about doing something with finance but took your advice...some of the things you say have meaning and actually sink in :thanks:
     
  18. NorCal

    NorCal Active Member

  19. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Not only are the subjects scattered but I could not imagine how much was spent to get these degrees. Why on earth would he get an AAS in CJ (2007) after he completed a BS in CJ (2006)? I could see if he went back and got an AAS in Accounting or something different but why duplicate degrees in reverse?
     
  20. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Mr. Hall is becoming ubiquitous. Besides this thread, we've had him:

    Here: http://www.degreeinfo.com/general-distance-learning-discussions/27898-your-favorite-dodgy-resume-2.html
    And here: http://www.degreeinfo.com/off-topic-discussions/42230-need-help-finding-more-degrees-than-thermostat-thread.html

    Read Hall's "resume" and it's readily evident why nobody will hire him. Nobody needs advanced schooling to figure that out!

    Another memorable case of degree overload is Mike Nicholson, here. Twenty-seven degrees and counting: Kalamazoo man enjoys the 'freedom' of intellectual pursuits | MLive.com

    He may have more than 27 degrees by now. This guy took all kinds of low-ball, maintenance etc. jobs on campuses to get free tuition. He worked in a college parking lot while he completed his doctorate! The way I see it, he'd have done more for his family

    (a) if he'd ever worked in any of the fields he completed advanced degrees in.
    (b) if the family hadn't acted as his "enablers" in his degree-addiction.

    Here's our old thread on Nicholson -- well, one of 'em, at least. DegreeDiscussion.com • View topic - This man has 27 college degrees

    I think both these guys have had 'way more press than they're worth -- with the possible exception of Ripley's Believe it or Not.

    Johann
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 14, 2012

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