CJ Wallington ⋅ Chantilly, VA U.S. Army, Lieutenant Colonel ⋅ 23 years served

An MBA doesn't make you stand out in a crowd, nor does it tell me that you can manage anything. It only tells me that you know how to study. If you're interested in project management, then consider getting your PMP certification. There's a high demand for that certification amongst defense contractors, and many of them can be put to work right away, especially if they carry a government clearance.

Michael Schmidt ⋅ West Palm Beach, FL Seacoast Bank ⋅ 28 years experience

Continuing education is always good, just target those that will lead to a designation, certificate etc vs general studies. An MBA doesn't stand out like it did when I earned mine I. 1991. There are many more folks with MBAs and where you received it matters. Target designations in the field you work in or want to work in. CPA, CIPM, CFA and many that are accounting related

Todd Kruse ⋅ Santa Clara, CA Hewlett Packard ⋅ 12 years experience

Mark, I'm very intrigued by the free online courses at Coursera. Many of the courses provide certificates of completion that could go on a resume. There are a lot of people sith MBA's searching for jobs now days. It's important to stand out; I think it can only help to continue with education, but agree with others that landing the job you want is more important for you at this stage.

Bobbie Nottingham ⋅ San Jose, CA Hewlett Packard ⋅ 16 years experience

I think it's time to market yourself. You are educated, now go out and take that time to pursue opportunities. The economy is starting to rebound, so jobs are going to pop up, you want to be in the hopper when they do. What is your masters in and where have you applied? What do you want to do? Where do you want to work?

Margot Sechler ⋅ Houston, TX Hewlett Packard ⋅ 22 years experience

Hi Mark - Great question. No matter what the field, what your degrees are in it is my belief that contunuing eduation is important not only for your career, but also for you personally. Look for courses that will help you update your current knowledge/expertise and also something that will help you expand your knowledge maybe even just something you are personally interested in. This not only looks good on a resume, but keeps you current with new trends, etc. in your field. There are so many good courses available at community colleges, on line, plus some great universities accross the country have some on-demand on-line courses - like Harvard and MIT offer some interesting courses. Also, as your manager or co-workers for some suggestions. I hope this helps - happy learning! Margot

Rob Van Fossen ⋅ Aurora, CO Hewlett Packard ⋅ 18 years experience

Mark,
Thinking about and investing time in continued education is something everyone needs to work on at all stages of their career. You make mention of your "current position", so we'll assume you are gainfully employed in an area that is of interest to you and at least a reasonably good fit for your skills. Given that this is the case, the first person to speak with about your education and further career development plans would be your current manager. If he/she isn't providing good information, the Education and Training specialist(s) in your HR department should also be able to help with training opportunities that would be available. Check also with some of your co-workers, especially those who seem to be doing well and see in what areas they are considering for further development.

Rob

David Jones ⋅ Palo Alto, CA Hewlett Packard ⋅ 25 years experience

Look for a job. You have the classroom certificate and real world experience. Not sure what more you can take from the classroom until you have more career direction. I'd put my effort into finding a job.

Peter Moser ⋅ Katy, TX Hewlett Packard ⋅ 16 years experience

It depends. I'm a people leader and have a MSM. I've also helped develop training programs for my company. If the training isn't adding to the skills of your chosen profession or to the company you work for, then the training will likely not add much value to your employer thus to you from a career perspective.

On the other hand, if you are trying to advance your career or change fields, then continuing education courses demonstrate you are willing to invest in yourself for the next opportunity.

Training and proficiency in common productivity tools like word processing, spreadsheets are always valuable because you will use them in just about any career / profession.

Jan Case ⋅ Sunnyvale, CA Hewlett Packard ⋅ 20 years experience

I'm fairly selective about how I invest in continuing education.
- I select a critical few certifications or professional affliations to give "validity" to my experience, and to cast it in a way that others will understand it. For example, while I've held lots and lots of jobs, and have 2 masters degrees, I got my PMP certification because I wanted to be able to explain my work in those terms. It's really helped.
- I use the free online training to keep abreast of current trends in my industry, to explore bleeding edge thinking or to give external validity to my recommendations.

Joanna Begg ⋅ Schenectady, NY General Electric ⋅ 35 years experience

Many large companies offer their own training programs in specific focus areas - I'd focus on those first, to demonstrate your interest in how your company works and "thinks". I'd also focus on the very practical...the PMP certification is a great suggestion and can travel with you through many busineses and through many career paths.

Good luck!

Tara Pangakis ⋅ Andover, MA Hewlett Packard ⋅ 30 years experience

As a training professional, I always advocate continuing education. Free Internet resources abound. HP's Learning Initiative for Entrepreneurs (http://www.life-global.org/) is a great example.

Patricia Sanderlin ⋅ Hempstead, TX HP ⋅ 20 years experience

You should always drive for more knowledge and continuing education. First, identify your strengths (look for tools online) and then take courses to enhance those as skills to promote yourself with. For example, if some of your strengths are Focus, Strategic and Activator, then look for Change Management type courses that can help a company stay with trends or go through transtitions to adjust to a new market, etc. Become an expert in a certain field and this will help you land a role you'll enjoy and be successful in and in which you'll like to grow further through more education.

Lin Stin ⋅ Herndon, VA ⋅ 1 years experience

Hi there,

I find that continually updating my skillsets have been very helpful as I move through my career. I especially think that strengthening one's skills in Excel, Access, Word, PowerPoint will always be helpful since these tools are heavily used across most business offices. I also want to move into another field that closely utilizes my skills yet I am convinced that obtaining a certificate or certification in that field will also help me advance.

I also attend free webinars that focus on industry trends for my specific market, just to keep on top of what is happening.

I have a Masters of Library Science but have been able to find jobs in non-library fields because of my background knowledge and experiences. I specifically focused on acquiring skills in the area of market research, social media, digital media. Having the MBA is helpful but having specific training or a skillset in another area that is adjacent to the job you want to eventually land will be helpful and shows that you are a constant learner and contributor to your industry space. It also helps you leverage into other areas that might be interesting for you in the future.

Good luck

Donna Moreno ⋅ Silver Spring, MD Verizon ⋅ 27 years experience

Hi Mark - Very good question and one that a lot of folks ask, no matter what their prior experience or employment. I agree with Gail, in that is really depends your work accountabilities. I got my MBA in Operations Management with after my BS in Math. But have gotten various certifications along the past several years based on the type of job I was holding at the time. It really does not do much good to pursue certifications if you don't get to use them. The only time that you might consider spending the time to get certifications is if you need to for the type of job you want and do not yet have translatable skills. As a veteran, you need to really think about the skills and epxeriences you have not in the military context, but as how they translate into non-military work skills and values. Those become much more important than book learning. Even my current certification is renewed every 3 years based on my work experience not my course work.

Gail Lesnieski ⋅ New York, NY IBM ⋅ 30 years experience

I agree that you really need to think about where your passion is then expand your knowledge and expertise in those areas. You'll enjoy what you are learning and it won't feel like work. If you are interested in advancing at your current job, you might want to have a conversation with your manager about what skills the company is seeking and what it would take to get to the next job your are interested in even if it's a lateral move. If it will make you happy, go for it.

Wendell Fant ⋅ Concord, NC U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, Chief Warrant Officer ⋅ 23 years served

Hi Mark,

Great question! In fact I'm thinking the same thing as you. I am been told that an MBA is good, but it is even better with additional specific course work. I think your MBA will go good with anything. I would say study whatever your passion is and do what you love. I know there are some courses you have to take, but ultimately you want to be happy with what you do. Community Colleges rock and you get the best bang for your buck.

The Best,

Wendell
Marine Reserves, Chief Warrant Officer 23 years and retired