Is a degree in organizational leadership respected? I have an A.A.S. in Transportation Technology. The local 4 year private college which is regionally accredited and well respected now offers a degree completion both on-campus and on-line. They have already accepted me and 50 hrs of my A.A.S. degree. I guess I am asking if anyone has a degree in organizational leadership and if so, are you glad you earned that degree? Any regrets?
A degree is a tool that is used to accomplish a goal. It is a vehicle to carry you to a place you want to be. Where do you want to be?
Depends on what you are doing and how it plays into the overall narrative of your career. If you intend to apply for jobs that require a degree in engineering then, no, it likely won't work for you. Works fine for HR jobs, though. And I'd suspect it would satisfy most "general bachelor" requirements where, previously, folks relied on a degree in Business Admin. I'd steer clear of degrees in leadership, personally, if impressing employers is what you're after. But organizational leadership is generally fine particularly for mid-career professionals trying to get a leg up. The main reason being that your degree isn't what is going to get you your promotion. It might check a box. It might qualify you for an interview because it meets a minimum requirement. But after a few years in your profession your degree stops being the primary reason you're getting a call back (or not getting a callback as the case may be).
I am in a hourly labor position for a global transportation & logistics company and want to move up either in the safety department or HR. Most positions above where I am now just require any bachelor degree besides the very specific jobs like you mentioned. Just at my location we have leadership with General Studies, I.T. & physical ed degrees. So I guess I am just looking to check that requirement box that lets me get an interview and let the rest of my experience and industry training get the job.
The great majority of jobs I see advertised that require a degree, simply require a legitimately accredited degree. It can be in Organizational Leadership, Business Administration, or Ancient Babylonian Astrology. I think many employers are more concerned that you're "in the club" and managed to stay committed & focused enough to finish a degree program. So, if you're simply looking to check the box, then go for what interests you, and/or would be the quickest to obtain. However, I'd think twice about going with Ancient Babylonian Astrology. :wink:
In HR (and to a somewhat lesser extent, Safety and EH&S) certifications are often just as important as degrees. Especially for entry level applicants, I can tell you that we would probably hire a person with a degree in General Studies who had a recognized HR certification over a candidate with a degree in HR without a certification (all things constant). If Safety is where you want to be then, if you don't have it already, get yourself the OSHA 10 hour card. Knock through your degree. But also keep an eye on certifications. Some have work experience requirements. Others don't. But it just might be what you need to set yourself apart. The idea is not to just have a degree that matches a job title. The idea is to approach your career in a holistic way. Not just somebody following a path but someone who, as an individual, distinguishes themselves. These days a person whose last bit of learning was when they graduated from college is kind of a turnoff.
