Your opinions wanted---What would be the best path for me?

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by StefanM, May 24, 2011.

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  1. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    Here's the deal:

    1) I have a B.A. in Ministry from a small Christian college (regionally accredited).

    2) I have an MA in Human Services with a business concentration from Liberty.

    3) I have a smattering of random graduate hours in history, business, and religion.


    I am currently employed as a university staff member. My duties involve student advising, course scheduling, coordinating events, and any other various and sundry things. I intend to stay in my current position for the next few years, unless something significant opens up. A promotion will be effective in July that will not substantively change my duties; it is more a promotion to match what I am already doing.

    I currently do not supervise anyone. My past experience involves work on church staff and at a for-profit university in the financial services department. I was briefly in a supervisory role before I left the for-profit university.

    I enjoy education, and I enjoy working at a faith-based institution.

    I have no intention of being on faculty. If I ever have the opportunity to teach as an adjunct, that would be excellent, but I am not willing to pursue a degree for this purpose.

    I am currently in my mid-twenties, so I have (hopefully) a long career ahead of me. My mobility is somewhat limited as present, as I purchased a home a couple years ago. I have two small children as well.

    My question is this: what academic path should I pursue? EdD? MBA? Something else? Nothing at all? Wait and see?

    I just thought I'd get some good feedback on here.

    Thanks!
     
  2. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    (1) I go with the wait and see or (2) Does the school you work for offer free classes? If so, how about a few free classes in a topic you just want to learn about?
     
  3. hollyfamily

    hollyfamily New Member

    Distance Learning Discussions can offer everything you want.
     
  4. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    The first thing that came to mind was a doctoral degree in organizational leadership. It would be relevant to your current work environment, could allow for a promotion, but is also versatile enough to be useful in a different sort of organization.
     
  5. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    If you don't plan to teach, I can't see a compelling reason to pursue an EdD, that is, unless you think it will help you advance in your administrative position. However, an EdD would almost be required to work as an adjunct. Technically speaking, a master's is all that is required, but there are a lot of doctorate holders competing for those jobs. I would recommend that you talk to your supervisor to see if he/she thinks that another degree would help you in your current position.

    Congratulations on attaining a master's at such a young age. I predict good things for you.
     
  6. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Wow, this looks like a moderator convention.
     
  7. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    I've discussed this extensively with my supervisor. He holds an MBA and an Ed.S. (equivalent-- it has different nomenclature, but it is in education). He is actually in the process of pursuing an Ed.D with the intention of having opportunities outside of the current organization.

    In my current position, the only trajectory I really have would be to take my supervisor's job if he decides to leave one day. This is a very realistic possibility for the long term, and the Ed.D would not be necessary for this path. My boss came into his position before he obtained the EdS, and equivalent positions within the organization also do not require a terminal degree. Most have master's degrees, and none at present have a doctorate.

    I would likely need a terminal degree to advance one level higher than my supervisor's position, but it would take either an act of Congress or an act of God (or both) to progress to such a position. At that level, many years of experience are expected, and VIP connections (which I lack) are pretty much required. Any position at this level would be VP-level. I am one of the youngest individuals within the organization, and the organization seems to value age and experience at the higher levels. Therefore, I could probably work for my current employer for another 20 years without progressing beyond my supervisor's level.

    If I want to go "up," I will have to go "out" eventually. I am positioned well for now, however, so I am in no rush to make a change over the next 5 years or so, unless a special opportunity arises.
     
  8. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    The more I work this out the more insane the idea of the Ed.D appears, to be honest.

    If it were a matter of time alone, I would probably do it without hesitation, but cost is also a factor. I'm not eligible for any kind of tuition reimbursement, so it would be completely on my own dime. I'm not sure that the ROI is predictable at present.

    I wish I could take some free classes, but I am not yet eligible. Staff must have (I believe) four years of service before getting tuition remission. Unfortunately, we do not offer a doctorate, or that would be a super-easy choice a few years down the road.

    If I'm honest, I think I'm a bit scared of not being in school. With my psychological training, I recognize that such fear is completely irrational, but I have pretty much continuously been in some kind of educational program ever since I was six years old. The longest break I had from school was about 5 months--seriously. Wow. That makes me seem strangely addicted to school. I suppose that's why I have several hundred posts on DI?

    I think I really just need someone to slap me and to tell me that it's OK not to be enrolled in school.
     
  9. SurfDoctor

    SurfDoctor Moderator

    Coming from someone who has a few thousand posts, I can understand your neurosis. :smile: The tuition reimbursement might be worth waiting for, since you are still young.
     
  10. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    Hmm...what about a doctorate in educational psychology? This is a field of interest for me.
     
  11. AUTiger00

    AUTiger00 New Member

    Four years? Really? The longest I have ever seen before a school begins tuition benefits for an employee is one year, a majority 6 months, but some start the tuition remission at time of hire.

    In regards to your original question. I'd probably sit it out for a bit. The MBA might be a good idea, but if you intend to work in higher ed I wouldn't invest a ton of money. I'm sure I don't have to tell you the salaries in higher ed are decent, but we aren't going to get rich.
     
  12. eilla05

    eilla05 New Member


    I was actually reading through the post getting ready to suggest 1. either you do something you are just completely interested in 2. you sit it out for a while or 3. something psychology related!
     
  13. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    It's pretty brutal. Faculty get educational benefits for themselves and dependents at the time of hire, but we lowly staff must wait four years!
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 24, 2011
  14. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    I just thought of this--what about a graduate certificate program?
     
  15. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    It looks like the "wait and see" approach will win the day. I will use my time for personal interests and volunteer work, it seems!
     
  16. Randell1234

    Randell1234 Moderator

    Yes, you must learn to relax and take a break. Of course, I say this as I am looking in the mirror.
     
  17. nanoose

    nanoose New Member

    Stefan (not a mod here!)

    As a teacher, I absolutely understand being a part of the school 'calendar' - September! Ready to go again!! Christmas break....spring break...June!! Summer off!!!

    And as a naturally highly curious person, I also understand the love of learning (just finishing up a distance (mainly) MA (apologetics) from an accredited B&M).

    But you said something else in passing that made me think.
    You are mid-twenties, with 2 young children...never been 'out' of school, and deciding what to pursue next. As one now on the "other side" of their parenting years, I'm going to offer some unsolicited advice. Slow down. Stop school for a bit, and pour your focused attention into those two little ones. Our first "little one" is now married and a parent himself; our "youngest" is independent, but home with us (in the suite). We were/are a very close family - we even spent 4 years living on a boat (yes - we sold the house to do it!), and spent one of those years sailing away (yes - we both took 1 year leaves from work).

    You will never regret time with them....and you will never get these years back. Never. Now is the time. Now is when they need their dad. I cannot tell you the power of a father's relationship with his children. It does things for kids that moms can never do (and visa-versa!).

    School can wait...it will always be there. They won't.

    IMHO
     
  18. StefanM

    StefanM New Member

    Nanoose, I appreciate the wise words. That does make a lot of sense.
     

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