Judy Tomlinson ⋅ Dallas, TX Energy Future Holdings ⋅ 25 years experience

I would not take on extra studies at first. You need bo concentrate on your new job, learn what is expected and then, when you have established yourself as a solid employee, you can ease back into your studies. I would put something about pursuing your MBA on your resume but make it clear to the hiring manager that your first priority would be the company and becoming proficient at your job.

William Orr ⋅ Greenwood, IN Edward Jones Investments ⋅ 4 years experience

Great discussion. I'm pleased to have found this forum.

Eric Olsen ⋅ Fresno, CA Cargill ⋅ 4 years experience

Given the choice between two equally qualified people, I will always choose the one who is taking more initiative. School, training, even OJT in your free time tells me I have a motivated candidate. That motivation will take you places and I, as a hiring manager, know that.

I also echo another post. I would question working for a company that looked down on you getting an education in your free time.

Shlomo Gewirtz ⋅ New York, NY ⋅ 40 years experience

Go for it.

William Orr ⋅ Greenwood, IN Edward Jones Investments ⋅ 4 years experience

So, essentially, a 5-year plan could look something like this...

0-6 months: Gain footing in the new career/culture.
6-12 months: Take advantage of any internal educational opportunities.
1-2 years: Seek industry or additional academic certifications (externally).
2-4 years: Complete certifications and seek additional leadership roles and responsibilities.
4-5 years: Leverage experience and acquired skills toward positions of greater responsibility and/or reevaluate.

I imagine that one is only limited by his or her own willingness to continuously grow within the organization. Thanks for the encouragement.

Regards,

William

FRANCIS TEPEDINO, ESQ. ⋅ San Diego, CA THE CONDOR GROUP ⋅ 30 years experience

Go for it!. Two of my 3 college degrees were earned at night, including a Juris Doctor at the U of San Diego Law School.. When I told my boss I was going to Law School at night he fired me. That was the best damned thing that could have happened. It propelled me to study harder plus it told me something about that boss, (he was a jerk), and that company.
GO FOR IT!

Heather Gillbanks ⋅ Houston, TX General Electric ⋅ 26 years experience

IMO, it would depend on the company. Personally, I would not care to work for a company that would not be supportive of an employee's professional development. If, however, the prospective employee is looking for a brand-new employer to take on the COST of their education, that could be a tougher sell. We generally encourage people to pursue higher education when their job would benefit from it. Generally, we don't extend reimbursement benefits from day 1 (though we may, if circumstances warranted it); I like to see someone get their feet under them (around a year with the company) before we start talking big stuff like that. If the prospective employee was already enrolled, then I would see it as a point of negotiation during salary/ offer discussions. Also, we would need to talk about expectations, since there would likely be times when education would conflict with job.

Also, I have seen some people who finish their MBA and then expect their employer to immediately give them a huge promotion and raise to go with it. Especially in the current market, that is not realistic.

Hope that helps!

Ron Auspelmyer ⋅ Asheboro, NC Hewlett Packard ⋅ 20 years experience

William,

My personal experience. SMSgt, USAF Retired. I completed 20 years with two undergraduate degrees. Following a brief time of job changing, I landed a job with an education-supportive company. The beginning employer doesn't have to be your final career company. It could be, but you can also use it to your advantage as a stepping stone and ladder for developing yourself. i.e. Learn the corporate world versus military world. After I joined my first company, I knew I wanted to keep growing. I chose two avenues. First, to leverage both my undergraduate degrees with my military experience in logistics. I joined the Project Management Institute and began work on my PMP certification. Secondly, I continued work on my formal education. I pursued a MBA via an Executive MBA program. I don't know if this is popular now, but It was hard work. It was more hours than a regular MBA, but my opinion is that you gain so much from both the experience and education as well as the adventure. A solid two years of work on these was stressful at times. Following the PMP Certification and MBA degree, working on my career company goals was much easier - plus I had almost three years of corporate learnings and experience to leverage as well. All in all, I'd do it again. The sooner the better. You need goals and a plan to get there. Keep up the positve thinking!

Yolanda Campa ⋅ Newark, NJ Hewlett Packard ⋅ 12 years experience

Hi, William.

I would like to think that most employers are open to their employees pursuing further education. While, yes, it may possibly take time away the job in one form or another, it shows inititiative to learn more, interest in developing, growing, improved skill set, diversity, interest in promotion - which contributes to your job. Many employers actually offer tuition assistance because they recognize the value of further education. Granted, the assumption is that you are pursuing education that will benefit your job/employer. If you are considering it, I would say go for it. Be encouraged.

Yolanda

Betsy Arroyo ⋅ Citrus Heights, CA Hewlett Packard ⋅ 10 years experience

First, thanks for your service. Secondly, I think you have plenty of right answers. It should be viewed as positives. Some employers even work with you.

William Orr ⋅ Greenwood, IN Edward Jones Investments ⋅ 4 years experience

All,

I thank you for your comments and I see the recurring theme here. The part which resonates with me most is "selling the idea" of attending off duty education to my Commanding Officer; great analogy.

Semper Fidelis,

William

Eric Hodgson ⋅ Bethesda, MD Hewlett Packard ⋅ 20 years experience

Gunner,

Congratulations on escaping the stumps. Two questions: How would you perceive the situation of one of your Marines perusing off-duty education? How would you “sell” a request for tuition assistance to your CO from one of your Marines if the field of study did not directly support your units core mission?

Many employers are supportive of education as part of the “whole-man “ approach. As Charlie has stated, your paying job (accomplishing the mission) come first. The fact that you would be sharing such intangibles such as improved critical and analytical thinking as a benefit of your studies could also enhance your performance at work, and also contribute to the company’s bottom line.

Thank you to you and your family on 20 years of service to our nation and our Corps.

s/f

Charlie Covert ⋅ Johns Island, SC UPS ⋅ 28 years experience

William,
I think it would usually be viewed as a positive. Many professionals pursue degrees on their own time. It shows initiative and a willingness to add to your skill set. You may be asked how you balance the responsibilities and would want to emphasize that the paying job comes first. Hope this helps, good luck.

Eric Knode ⋅ Minneapolis, MN Owner BPM Consulting LLC ⋅ 10 years experience

William,
As your research suggest it could be both. It is dependent on the position and the hiring manager. Companies like to see self-improvement especially if it is in line with the position. If you’re applying for a finance position but studying for your plumbers’ license then I could see it being perceived as a negative.