what kinda job has your dl degree

I entered the University of South Carolina's Master of Library and Information Science program in 1992 as a member of their first out-of-state cohort. I'd always wanted to become a librarian, and USC's distance education program was actually much more affordable than our state's sole library school.

I completed the program in 1995, and have worked as an academic librarian at a junior college and as a public librarian. I've held my present job, providing library services to distant learners at a small private college, for about six years. Interestingly, no one in the library community has been anything but positive about my DE degree, and I've never perceived it as a barrier to employment or advancement.

Two years ago, I completed a Specialist in Library and Information Science program (similar to an Ed.S.) via distance education at USC . This probably contributed to my promotion to Associate Professor (I'm sure it didn't hurt), but more than anything else it allowed me to explore the teaching functions of libraries in a way that has been both personally satisfying to me and (I hope) helpful to students.

I both enjoy what I do AND make more money than I did before--my undergraduate degree was in French, which qualified me to work as a bank clerk, a house painter, a janitor, and a script typist at a television studio, among other things. I'm not sure what high-paying jobs are lurking out there for those willing to forgo higher education and personal fulfillment, and please don't tell me--let me enjoy my delusion that I have the best of both worlds!

 

My DL MBA will not get me anything pay wise, in a place where I am now. In other places, this could probably help.

But the experience knowing that I could still answer to theoretical questions, write papers (at least 10-15 pages per course), and get 94-100% marks for an essay final exams regains my self confidence, which had, somewhat, been lost over 17 years away from school.

My B&M BS Industrial Engineering degree earned from a third world educational system got me into managing Software Development Team, in a foreign country, that support a national government organization in that same country.

Admittedly, it was aimed at moving further in my career (inclusive of pay raise, promotion, knowledge, and etc.) that I pursued a DL graduate program. The immediate result, however, was more than just what is expected once the degree is completed.

The thought that I can still think and reason beyond what the workplace have afforded me for almost 2 decades, is something that brings value to myself more than the expected earning or promotion, which might not even happen.

 

It is clear to me that this thread has lost it's focus along the way.

I would like to think that in earning a degree you would be seeking both personal enrichment and marketable gains in your employment. After all, isn't being satisfactorily employed part of personal enrichment? Like it or not, having a degree in anything here in the U.S. affords you a status not enjoyed by the non degree holder in the office or the factory.( i.e. blue or white collar employment) If not for some sort of monetary gain, why bother with credit bearing course work and accreditted schools and the respectable amount of money for tuition?

There are many, many benefits to holding a degree, but in my mind being employable in a desirable position with a decent company and getting the respect and just reward from your superiors for your toils rather than busting your rear in a dead end or narrow ended position with little or no respect and being basically a mule with little or no value other than your back, definately has it's argument.
I would say though, that from the sidelines, I think everyone should maybe lighten up a little and be a little more congenial towards one another.
Self respect for accomplishment, personal enrichment, financial gain, return on your monetary and personal investment, just to be able to stay in a conversation, whichever your personal motivator, it is probably a safe assumption that "most" of us have to do something for a living, correct? What would you be doing less your degree? Do you think you would be personally enriched digging ditches, answering phones, clerking? Watching the manufacturing sector evaporate I would be happy to see the results of a formal poll myself. I say without a decent career "most" of us would not be interested in personal enrichment as much as monetary gain, but it's just a hunch.

Strey
B.A. in ass busting labor

 

think I've made this clear from my prior posts, but I will answer this once again -- I would be doing exactly what I'm doing now! You see, I don't have a degree; however, my position is Principal Design Analyst for Best Software. I've worked for several companies in the field of software development over the past 20+ years. I have no degree -- nada. I do however, hold several relavent certifications. And while I did complete the first two years of a four year program, I am basically self-taught in Software Engineering. I probably make much more than I deserve to make as far as salary goes. From my experience, if all someone wants to do is make money, even in a field that requires technical skills, they can do it without a degree. Well, not unless they are (this is not directed specifically at anyone, just people who complain about being held back because they don't have a degree):

1) Talentless (IMO, very few people are actually talentless)
2) Ambitionless (I'm guessing this is probably due to #3)
3) Have self esteem problems (i.e. they let society put them in a box and they stay there) (I assume this probably comes from their upbringing or peers)

(and maybe the biggest one of all)

4) Afraid to take risks

I do believe that education makes it easier to get to where I am (or at least quicker), but no one has to feel contrained by a lack of degree. I do agree that my drive to get a PhD comes from a desire to seek new opportunities and the respect thing does factor in. But money only factors in to a point. I'm not looking to make more money (I wouldn't turn it down though). I would even settle for less (but not much less.)

 

My B&M, RA, non-DL AAB,BS,MA degrees did not get me a job, did not get me a raise or promotion, but did allow me to look back and say that I really enjoyed the process of getting these degrees and the actual learning (yes,I admit I did learn something) I experienced along the way - while pursuing them I cussed and complained and whined and moaned about everything that challenged me, but I think I came out OK - job,promotion,raise be damned.

 

I am very serious. After 30 years in the aerospace business I am ready for a change.

 

I'd be doing the exact same thing, just for 25% less money. All you need for my job is a GED and a driver's license.

 

If you had a multi-million dollar windfall would you still continue on a degree path? (or would you have continued?)

How many of you find more classes in a college catalog that you would love to take than those which you think not? Remember those Sears Christmas Wish Books that you used to drool over as a kid? Yeah, I look at catalogs and course descriptions the same way.

Money is no object, nor is it the objective. What would you think about college?

You ever notice that whenever you read a news snipet about Bill Gates they almost inevitably mention that he is/was a college drop-out? (True or Not I never bothered to research it.)
Shoot, he is arguably one of the richest men alive and very successful. Yet, he will always have that tag if he doesn't, or didn't already, remedy that situation, correct?

You can't argue the impact of a degree on your public image (or your media personae).

Strey

 

Yes, absolutely!!! It was richly rewarding!!!

However, in retrospect, if I could know in the begining what I know now, then I might be less inclined to pursue all these degrees (or I might be less gung-ho about it). However, I'm glad that I did it.

 

Having climbed the civil service career ladder the old-fashioned way (i.e. by doing well in successively higher-graded positions and being in the right place at the right time) I am unlikely to ever see an additional dollar attributable to a degree, ANY degree. Further advancement will depend largely on experience, performance, political savvy, and utter ruthlessness.

I finished my degree because I deplore unfinished business or unmet goals. It was never about the money. Given the theoretical "windfall" we're talking about, I'd be out the door tomorrow-- continuing my formal education until I had that doctorate in the esoteric, completely unmarketable field that I've always dreamed of, or until the fortune ran out, or until the MLA Handbook fell from my cold hands, whichever came first.

 

I'm not certain that you're right about this thread getting off track but I agree with most everything else you've said. My original comment in this thread was to the effect that the value of a DL degree, or any other degree, should not be measured exclusively by raises, promotions, etc. This does not mean that financial gain is not a consideration in the acquisition of credentials. It simply means that the value of education should not be measured ONLY by financial gain. Most people who responded seemed to understand that this was the point of my comment. I'm glad that skidadl is pursuing an education and hope that he gains some wisdom and has some fun in the process (even if it doesn't get him a raise).
Jack

 

I guess I'm a real slug. If I win the powerball tomorrow, I won't even clean out my locker at work. And the plans for a degree would go out the window. I'd buy 100 acres, build a house, and start breeding thoroughbreds. That's my true dream in life.

 

While I don't have a locker, I at least can identify with this. Of course, in my case I would be leaving to pursue a PhD full time. In fact, I would give myself my own research grant and try to snag my own research assistants! ;-) (Would this be ethical?)

 

LOL

Good post.

 

For me I have been able to serve both large and small congregations in several denominations (Congregationalist, United Church of Christ, Quaker, and Christian church/churches of Christ).

Additionally, I have been able to work in both the mental health and/or addictions fields.

The last secular position I held was county director of a substance abuse treatment program.

I am currently working on another DL program, the Master's in Health Services. The health care field is wide open right now but I will probably remain in pastoral ministry until I retire.

It's been the most rewarding profession in my employment career that also included journalism and politics for a short period of time.

 

I have one DL degree and one DL graduate diploma. I don't list either on my CV, and they have played no role whatsoever in my professional life.

I am currently "between programs." Though I'm considering HUX or the medical ethics program offered by Lampeter's Philosophy department. Either of which would also be professionally irrelevant for me...

 

Dear Strey,

YES, I would still work for and finally earn my Phd. I have had this dream since I was 13. A windfall of serious amounts of money would help pay off a house, a car and other material goods, but will it replace my research, absolutely not. I LOVE LOVE LOVE my research. There is no money in the world that come close to replacing or stopping my goals. I am one that respectfully disagrees with you on this one.

 

Wrong, actually. I got a new job (in private sector of the same country) on the strength of my DL MBA, with almost tripple the salary I used to have and at a senior position (Management Team Profile ). I joined the new company in Jan/2006.

My degree has recently been verified (attested) by an agency contracted by the UAE Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs as basis for the issuance of new work permit/visa.

So, RA/NA or B&M/DL is no longer an issue (at least in my case now).

... Good job DETC, Columbia Southern University, and others...

cheers

 

While we agree on the 100 acres and building a house, we part ways on what type of livestock we'd raise. You prefer thoroughbred horses; I prefer sheep - they'd keep both me and my dogs busy ;-).

As to whether I would continue pursuing education you bet. The enjoyment I have received from each course cannot be measured in monetary terms. The personal satisfaction has always ranked as most important.

 

DL education and rewards

Which goes to show that there are a million answers depending on the individual and/or his/her station in life ( age, life experiences, sex, etc.).

Most millionaires and billionaires do not have a baccalaureate degree or higher level degree. Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Belinda Stronach( Canadian), the Queen of England, the Saudi family in Saudi Arabia, Paris Hilton, etc.

Personally, I do not care about a lot of money and/or degrees. I care much more about real learning from books or life experiences. The degree, the paper, is for credibility in the eyes of some people.

But if you do not have a nest egg , if you do not have an influential network of friends, if you have not been " lucky " in life, a degree may help in getting a better living.