Chuck Graf ⋅ Palm Coast, FL CG Marine Survey & Consulting, LLC ⋅ 38 years experience

I'm totally with John on this. I'm also an ERAU grad, '75, and am still very connected with the school. Their graduate programs in Cybersecurity Engineering or Cybersecurity Management & Policy are right in line with where there's going to be continued explosive growth in job opportunities in the cyber field. If this doesn't interest you, then the PMP track is probably the way to go but I'd expect significantly less demand here versus cyber. Good luck!

David Eastman ⋅ Gresham, OR Gamma Therapeutics, Inc. ⋅ 35 years experience

Hello, Narvelle

Interesting dilemma. Use my degree in hand and start working or work towards an MBA degree and up my chances for a better salary long term?

I believe you can accomplish both goals but my advice is to start working now, get income, pay back loans, get on your feet financially, find a good company with an advanced education benefit, and, after a few short years of real world experience, get your MBA by attending a school or doing it online, which will take much longer but will be less expensive.

Interestingly enough, my son who is 28 is going through this very decision-making process. He graduated with a business degree a year ago, got a job a week out of school and started working for a semiconductor company in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. A year later he is making $75 K and thinking about going back to school to get his MBA and enhance is job prospects longer term. His company only offers a small education benefit and the next phase of his education could well cost $45 K a year in tuition. I suggested to him the online approach or weekend Executive MBA training, but that would take 3 years and he does not want to commit to that time, so he plans to enter a college and complete his degree in a single year than get back to the work force. Not a bad decision, all in all, and seems like a similar one that you are facing.

Still, nothing like job experience and a good steady income to focus your attention on your long term goals and help you make a decision about advancing your education.

I hope this is helpful to you and much success in your life and career.

Regards,

David F Eastman, CEO
Gamma Therapeutics
Portland, Oregon
Former US Navy, Avionics, P-3 Orion Anti-Submarine Warplanes

Joshua King ⋅ Clinton, PA U.S. Air Force, Technical Sergeant ⋅ 11 years served

Hi Narvelle, I was on the same path as you. I got my B.S. in Pro Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle and then began their MBA-Aviation program. After one semester I transitioned over to Liberty University due to cost and to have a more generalized program. I also agree with John, MBAs no longer hold their value (unless it's from Stanford, Wharton, Harvard, etc.). Degrees in technical specialties or even technical certifications are worth a lot more in the salary department. Contracting companies like Lockheed, Northrop, and the others, are all looking for top notch talent with certificates. However, it all comes down to what you truly want.

John Green ⋅ Cary, NC Information Technology ⋅ 40 years experience

Jane's answer is a good one.

Check Robert Half salary guides and you will see who earns more.

https://www.roberthalf.com/workplace-research/salary-guides

With your technical background, you may be a better fit for Cyber Security and could potentially pull down $200k yearly in that field. MBAs are a dime a dozen. Its the technical specialty that will set you apart. Stop paying exorbitant hourly rates for education that will not help you and start pursuing specialization in a field that will pay your student loans.

Jane Madsen ⋅ Marietta, GA U.S. Air National Guard, Senior Master Sergeant ⋅ 22 years served

James, I also completed my BS in Professional Aeronautics with ERAU, with the thought that it would complement my base operations experience in the ANG. I didn't transition very well when I retired, and didn't land any good jobs. I went back to school and completed the Project Management Masters program. I think the project management path would be more appropriate if you have experience and plan to earn your PMP certificate. You must have logged project management hours before you test for the PMP - you should look up the details on the PMI website http://www.pmi.org/certifications/types/project-management-pmp . I was hoping to land a supporting position in a project management office with the degree, but haven't been able to put the degree to good use yet, but I don't have any project management experience to back up the degree.

From what I've heard on various forums, transitioning out of the military would probably be smoother if you move into a career that follows your military experience. It would probably be easier to shift direction within a company after you start a new career with your established skills.

The best of luck to you!
Jane