Is there such a thing as to many degrees?

Just as I thought! Nicholson now has 29 degrees and is working on a 30th!

Michigan Man Has 29 College Degrees and Counting - Yahoo!

He's retired - no more "Dr. Parking Lot!"

Classic Nicholson quote:

"I just stayed in school and took menial jobs to pay for the education and just made a point of getting more degrees and eventually I retired so that I could go full-time to school."

Johann

 

Randell, you beat this guy! He has 3 Bachelors degrees that are probably made from the same credits. He brought the credits from one school to another to get more degrees so there is nothing amazing here. The dozen AAs are probably made from the same credits.

The only degrees that are worth something are the BA in Business and BS in Criminal justice , MBA and graduate certificates. The rest are just junk.

Randell has several masters degrees (3 or 4?) a PhD, and a BS. More impressive than a dozen of Associate degrees from related fields.

Randell still has my favorite dodgy resume around here.

I know few people that beat Randell with several masters and two doctorates from B&M school but don't hang out in this forum.

One the most impressive academic resumes come from prof Armand St pierre that teaches at Athabasca

www.mba.athabascau.ca - Armand St. Pierre, PhD

 

Yes, in fact I just recently sat through an interview where our executive pointed out the applicant's doctorate and said "on paper there's just no way I'd hire him"...but the guy was so sharp and energetic and outgoing he got the job despite his education. Yes, too much is still too much.

 

I agree with you, NorCal! I do feel sometimes I have too many; therefore, my Doctorate from Nova is a terminal one.

 

I only have an MS and MBA...damn I am starting to feel like the elephant man!

 

You forgot to add your MBA from CCU.

I am teasing you, I also have the same amount of degrees than you in addition to two graduate certificates.

One masters is more than enough, a PhD or DBA only if you are interested in teaching. People with more than that are starting to look a bit ridiculous.

 

I was starting to get a complex...honestly, I do not really "count" the CCU degrees. I do not put them on my resume because I got them before the school was accreditied. Usually one masters is enough and I got my MS-ITM when I worked in the IT world. The MBA jusy fell into place since I worked with the Service Marketing team and took some marketing classes for general knowledge. Before I knew it, I was 4 classes short of an MBA.

So what degrees and certificates do you have? If you do not want to list the schools that is fine but I am curious which degrees you have.

 

All I'll add to this considering the ongoing drama between Randell and RFValue is this.

Sometimes you retrain and sometimes you attain related qualifications.

First degree was in History though I did a lot of Criminal Justice work before I went that way. Second degree was IT because I was working IT. Third was the MBA because I was on the fast track to executive management. Since I've decided that's the last thing I want to do, I'm falling back on my infosec background to knock down the Assurance degree.

If that works out, I may move on to a JD if I can get back into infosec. If I can't, then I'm done. One thing I know for a fact is I don't want to pursue an IT doctorate anymore. Regardless, point is that sometimes the story fits the academic background, but you don't need to let employers know what your hobbies are.

 

I was contemplating another masters, now I'm not sure.

 

Why not? If it fits your life and your goals do it. These decisions are personal and no one (especially a stranger on this board) can make it for you. You must decide what fits into your life.

 

Similar background as yours. BSEE, MSEE, MBA and a DBA. I completed some certificates in computer security and accounting.

I accumulated some credits in accounting and finance that was planning to apply towards a M.Sc in Accounting but my resume would start to look weird with 5 degrees.

I can take free degrees as I work for a University and keep accumulating more paper but at some point more degrees are pointless for me.

 

I don't intend to get 30 degrees. lol But after I get the 2 masters degrees that I need for my job, I think that I would like to get one or two more. Just because I love to learn and I want to delve into a variety of things for personal growth. I wont mention all of them on my resume, though. I can see where it would be an issue.

 

I think you were looking for a doctorate credential at some point. My experience shows me that personal interests and market trends change over time. My original interests were pure technical then went into management and then into teaching.

I think that certifications and associations fit the bill for continuing education. You can try joining few associations within your interests and get few certifications. If this is not enough, then get a third masters degree.

 

I completely agree. Generally people are categorized into two groups; career students and people looking to advance in a professional setting. I have an undergraduate certificate, an associates degree, and a bachelors degree. I believe the future may hold a graduate certificate, and a masters degree before I eventually peter out. I try not to throw stones at glass houses, as I choose academic pursuits based on professional gains. However, people need a hobby, and I can think of worse ways to spend your free time.

 

In a perfect world, if I had the time and resources, I would absolutely be a career student. But sadly, I have to actually work and make money with my degrees. SO the next best thing is to finish my schooling, get the job I want, and then get a certificate or two and maybe even another degree or two. Part time, as my schedule allows. That way I can meet my financial and family obligations and still educate my mind and my soul with things that I'm passionate about.

 

(1) Hall has many associate degrees -- but not Nicholson. From the article: Nicholson has one bachelor's degree, two associate's degrees, 22 master's degrees, three specialist degrees and one doctoral degree. So- same number (22) of Master's degrees as Prof. R.K. Rai

(2) In my view, that number (22) does NOT make "Dr. Parking Lot" Nicholson's accomplishments anywhere near equal to those of Prof. Rai. Dr. Rai applied his knowledge and had a long career as a University professor. Nicholson? He was "Dean of of Janitorial Studies" for a career, just to get degrees on the cheap. No apparent effort, ever, to make a good career from his learning.

I admire someone like Dr. Rai, who obviously loves learning. I DO have a problem with someone like Nicholson, who is simply "stacking degrees" like convicts "stack time."

Dr. Rai has had a life of accomplishment and learning, and can look back on a good career with pride. All Nicholson can be proud of for 71 years on earth (so far) - as I see it - is a stack of papers.

Johann

 

To the OP - I also share your passion for learning, and have really enjoyed taking classes online. I too am one of those people who would just LOVE getting a Master's in Public Policy, International Relations, Business, American History, you name it... then finding various other programs to continue learning through. HOWEVER, take some time to consider the following:

First, you aren't even halfway finished with your undergraduate degree yet. I'd focus on taking classes and electives during your undergrad training which will satisfy a lot of your academic desires. I think a lot of times, folks like us think that in order to delve into a new topic, we need a Master's in that topic - false! Sometimes simply one or two classes in the field will satisfy that craving for knowledge in a specific area.

Second, I would suggest not getting more than one or two Master's, and if you MUST continue learning for learning's sake, maybe pursue a PhD. A Doctoral degree will allow you to spend years and years researching and studying. I had trouble deciding on my graduate degree as well, but ultimately decided to go for the MA in Public Policy, then a second Master's (MPS) in Legislative Affairs from GWU, simply because I'm in DC and have the opportunity. However, not only am I starting to get tired of so much school, but any more than two Master's and I'd start to look ridiculous.

Third, if you truly are interested in a career in International Relations/Geopolitics, and have a passion for human rights, here is what I'd suggest. Finish your undergraduate degree, then apply to a stellar grad program in International Relations, such as Norwich University's MA in Diplomacy. Webster U also offers an online IR degree. Once you are finished with the grad degree, simply READ and READ and conduct independent research on the topic. Get a job or internship with State or a non-profit and keep learning through experience. Then, apply all that passion for learning into gaining proficiency in other languages. I can promise you that once you have a Master's in IR/Diplomacy, no sequential Master's will open doors like having another language. For every two years that it takes to earn another Master's, you could potentially gain proficiency in another language. Either you can look like an indecisive goon on a resume with four Master's, OR you can truly be an asset to the geopolitical community by listing one Master's and two or three foreign languages.

I know I probably sound harsh or anti-academic, but it's easy to get caught in the trap of "ooh I love this topic, I need a Master's in it!!" Honestly, this is simply not the case - if you want to learn a new area, study independently. Publish on the topic. Gain experience in that area by traveling to the country in question and learning by putting boots on the ground. Nothing will prepare you for a career in Diplomacy like living in a foreign country, learning a foreign language, or working for [Department of] State or a non-profit. Trust me.

Plus, for all you know, you'll finish your undergrad in three years and be darn-near burnt out. I'm not even halfway done with my first Master's, and I've gotta say - I'm ready to get this thing over with!

Whatever you choose - good luck. I just work in government, and know that once you have a Master's, no sequential grad degree (other than a doctorate) will really open any more doors. Rather, languages and experience rule the day in your chosen field.

 

Now THAT makes a whole heap of sense - every admirable syllable! It's 'way too late for either Hall or Nicholson now, but they could both have learned something from this - something more valuable than anything either of them ever "read-retained-and-regurgitated" in a classroom.

Wise words indeed!

Johann

 

Wow. Thanks