Tapping into the hive mind - I have two more classes till I finish my Assoc.

25 Comments

1. BeaBoss979975April 25,2023 at 2:50PM UTC

   That you are working toward the degree should be helpful in a job search. If you are doing well in your sales, as I understand the field they don't care if you have a degree.

2. AnonymousApril 25,2023 at 4:09PM UTC

   I've actually been coming in over plan for the last two years, last quarter I had secured over $2.2 mil in revenue, my goal was $1.2. My goal's keep getting moved up so I don't max out each quarter ( we have capped commission of $3,000 a quarter). I am finding that with inside sales positions in medical they are expecting a degree.

3. Kimberly AnneApril 25,2023 at 4:52PM UTC

   My 4 yr degree is worthless.

4. AnonymousApril 25,2023 at 4:59PM UTC

   HI Kimberly, Do you mind if I ask, what field and is it worthless in that you need a Masters or worthless as it wasn't required in your field to be hired?

5. Barbara CooperApril 27,2023 at 12:14PM UTC

   I'm sorry you feel that way. I am proud of my degree and for me it was worth it.

6. AnonymousApril 25,2023 at 5:15PM UTC

   In 2012 I our sales division was sold off, people included. Recruiters told me that since I "only" had an AA and was just starting my BA journey, they couldn't place me. I needed a degree. Well, I completed my BA at 52. Now I've got oodles of experience, a degree that people said I needed, a student loan of $32k incl interest. Now at 62, wondering how in the world I'll get out of it. I ended up starting my own business, but now no clients, no job - I'm too experienced, I cost too much, etc. I'm honestly afraid I'll be unhoused to boot, at the end of the year. I've offered to help people in exchange for a reference I can use on LI and my resume, to no avail - and to my surprise!

7. AnonymousApril 25,2023 at 10:37PM UTC

   I am so sorry! Thank you for your feedback, this is exactly what I am afraid of!

8. AnonymousApril 26,2023 at 12:00AM UTC

   You're welcome. Good luck to you.

9. Christi LopezApril 26,2023 at 1:03PM UTC

   I can't speak to the sales industry, but I can share my experience as a non-traditional student going back to school. When I was 40 I decided to go back for my Associates in Graphic Design. I had worked for the college during my first two associates, and hadn't needed to take any financial aid, so my GD Assoc. was fully covered through Pell Grants and other financial aid. It allowed me to get a GD position with the office I was working in.

   When the pandemic hit I decided to get my BFA in Graphic Design. I still had Pell Grants and other financial aid available, which helped offset much of my costs. I didn't necessarily need the BFA for my current employer, but it would certainly open up more options if I decided to leave State government. I'm 49 now and about one year away from finishing up.

   Having never gone to a University, I had no idea about the resources and experiences I was missing out on at the Community College level. Through my time at MSU, I've been able to explore options that I never considered before. Some of that was through classes required for my degree (BFA requires a well-rounded art education, so I now have experience in print-making, wheel-throwing, new media/digital art, etc.). I discovered my love for ceramics and have a nice side hustle selling my pieces. I also discovered my love for museum studies and have a clear goal of working as a graphic designer in a museum setting once I graduate.

   Is it expensive? Yes. Do I regret it? Not in the least bit. But I also have three adult children at home and a stay-at-home husband who makes everything I do possible. I have a full-time job that is supportive of continuing education and willing to be flexible with my hours.

   If you enjoy learning, and if you have a good support system, and if you're able to get some additional financial aid (my university has financial aid funds available specifically for non-traditional students), then I say go for it. You also might consider trying to get hired at the school you go to for your bachelors. Most have excellent tuition benefits and are very supportive of employees continuing their education.

10. Paulla Fetzek, MSEdApril 26,2023 at 1:16PM UTC

    First, I commend you highly for returning to school. At any age this is a feat not to be taken lightly. But it most certainly has it's challenges for those of us who are older/established.

    When I started my first full-time job (1989), the thought process was you could work to build skills and a career. Through the years, however, this has shifted and for many companies having a degree is all the rage. Even if that degree has NOTHING to do with the job.

    Like me, for instance. When I interviewed for my current company back in 2003, the then VP wasn't impressed because I didn't hold any degree. Even though, at that point, I already had sixteen years of experience in Customer Service (the job I was applying for)! Fortunately, the person who would become my boss DID like my credentials and so I was hired.

    I was 40 when I decided to go to school for my bachelors, and 45 when I graduated with it. I hold a BS in Elem Ed - because being a teacher is who I am. It holds no benefit to my current position (I'm now the Commercial/Industrial Manager at my company - we work in the Hardware Industry).

    In 2022 I started on my Master's (in Adult Ed) which I'll finish Spring 2024. I'm going back to college for ME. Not for my job.

    Fun fact: Nowadays, my company won't hire anyone who doesn't have a degree. Even if they're applying for the front desk receptionist position.

    I'll be 56 in a few months (HOLY WOW... where did time go?!) and I understand the ageism all too well. Although, in the Hardware Industry, this isn't a problem as much as sexism is.

    Whatever your decision, and I know this will sound cliche, you need to make YOU happy. Jobs can come and go. Invest in yourself.

    All the best!

11. AnonymousApril 26,2023 at 5:30PM UTC

    Please keep going - 4 years will fly by and you may regret not doing it. That's what happened to me, and I finally went for it, but my company paid my tuition. See if your company reimburses or look for one that does. My associates degree was challenging but that's the core course work. My bachelors was so enjoyable that I went straight through to complete my masters.

    56 is young so I doubt you'll encounter ageism, and you will have more recent coursework under your belt than your colleagues. Best of luck!

12. Terri PutneyApril 27,2023 at 3:12AM UTC

    Just do it! You’ll always wonder why you didn’t take the time. I recommend WGU. It’s affordable and you can work at your own pace. I finished my bachelors at 48 and went on to get my Masters at 49.

13. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistApril 27,2023 at 5:14AM UTC

    Only you can know what’s really important to you.

    I suspect that 15k less you’re being paid than your male co-workers has less to do with any degree you may or may not have and more to do with your gender. Which totally sucks.

    If you really enjoy learning but don’t necessarily enjoy the classes you’d need to take for a Bachelor’s, you can always just take classes that interest you – you don’t have to be working toward a degree.

    Sales is typically one of the places that a degree doesn’t matter to some hiring managers – performance does. I would keep looking – scroll down to the “REQUIRED” section at the bottom of the job posting and looking for wording along the lines of “Bachelors or combination of education and experience”. Make sure that any quantifiable results you have are clearly listed on your resume.

    And the pendulum has started to swing back the other way a bit:

    No college degree? More employers than ever just don't care

    https://amp-cnn-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/10/11/success/jobs-apprenticeships-college-degrees-feseries/index.html

    Please let me know if you have any questions.

14. Barbara CooperApril 27,2023 at 12:15PM UTC

    I'd say if you can, go for it. I am 53 and just finished my Master's. I am worried about ageism too but I am also very proud of my accomplishments.

15. DVDgoddessApril 27,2023 at 12:26PM UTC

    Go for the bachelors degree. I was 55 when I got my degree.

    Learning is what keeps your brain alive. I have known people with PhDs that weren't that smart because they stopped learning after they got their degree.

    If your brain is working, people will see that and someone eventually will value that.

    If your base is less than your co-workers' base, that could be a law suit, especially in sales where having a degree is usually not a requirement.

    But get the degree - don't think about when you will be finished, just keep chipping away at it and one day you'll be walking across the stage accepting your diploma.

16. AnonymousApril 27,2023 at 12:46PM UTC

    Could you do a bachelor's degree through one of the online colleges that you pay by the semester? Western Governors is one option. You could finish in a shorter time frame if you put your mind to it. I completed a bachelor's degree as a nontraditional student - completed at age 44, but haven't used it yet (57 now). Been with current employer nearly 20 years and no advancement from having bachelor's - funny thing is I work for a university but started in a support staff role and have never seen anyone advance out of a support staff role after obtaining bachelor's degree. I am proud that I finished.

17. Sharon RosendahlApril 27,2023 at 12:53PM UTC

    I would consider the ROI. If you are able to up your pay by focusing on selling more then that may be a better use of your time. As someone else mentioned, WGU is a cheaper alternative. Also search for state universities with lower costs. I graduated from Eastern Oregon University. Some of their degrees are online and when I went, the cost was very reasonable.

    I am 57 and have opted to not obtain a masters. I don't feel the ROI is good enough to make it worth the time and cost. I do have some certifications which have helped me land better paying jobs. They exist in accounting and HR but I don't know if sales has things like that.

18. MistyApril 27,2023 at 1:00PM UTC

    I would second the other commenters but are you happy doing what you're doing? Can you turn your knowledge and selling to working for yourself? Why are you paying out of pocket? Can you not get scholarships or grants?

19. AnonymousApril 27,2023 at 2:15PM UTC

    Thanks for replying- to answer your question:

    I had a business for 16 years selling, at this point I prefer the steady pay check!

    I don't qualify for financial aid and most scholarships and grants require full time enrollment, generally I work about 45-48 hours a week so my school load at most is 6 credit hours.

20. Jennifer AndersonApril 27,2023 at 3:00PM UTC

    I got my bachelors in my 20s after taking some time off but it was in business administration and I ended up working in IT. When I lost my job, I was having a hard time finding a job in IT because everyone wanted a degree in math or computer science. I was in my early 40s and took a shot to go get my masters in IT. It worked for me.

    When someone asks if they should get their degree, I ask two questions and they are the same questions I asked myself

    1. What will it get me?
    2. What will it give me?

    For me, the bachelors got me a standard salary in a male-dominated field where I was proving myself every day. My master opened the door for interviews. I didn't realize it at the time but my master's also proved to me that I was very highly qualified for my job in my field as each and every class was easy. I had already learned most of what they were teaching and I just filled in a few gaps. I won't say it wasn't an expensive lesson but it is a lesson that has boosted my confidence into my 50s and kept me with high expectations both for myself and my employers.

    One thing that I realize that I did was instill the need for my kids to keep on learning. My oldest is still struggling to get her bachelors but she is almost there with about a year to go. My youngest is not a traditional learner but is always telling me about the last thing they learned and or studied. If my getting my degrees a little later, gave them the knowledge that lifetime learning is important, I will count that as a win.

21. Maureen B. WeisnerApril 27,2023 at 4:45PM UTC

    In four years, you will be four years older, with or without the BA. I suggest making an appointment with a career counselor at your school to gain a deeper understanding of options for you to build your career. Elective courses can make a huge difference too. Good luck!

22. AnonymousApril 27,2023 at 4:46PM UTC

    If you choose to complete your degree its because you choose to invest in yourself. There are many companies that choose experience and ethics and overall quality of work over a degree. One of the worst people I ever interviewed was a Stanford grad. Don't diminish what you know and have and if your current employer is not valuing you then perhaps its time to look for one that will. I would since you are in sales ask for the reasons behind why they are paid so much more. You don't need a degree to sell. If your numbers are good enough and you have been producing revenue for the company you should be paid the same. If you believe it is sexism then file a formal complaint about it. Don't be silent about it if that is the case. If you stay in sales it's frankly all about the numbers. Putting money away is a very good thing and with the complexity in your life and caretaking it is probably a wise option for you to consider. Wishing you the very best.

23. IntentionGirl299847April 30,2023 at 12:26AM UTC

    You are going to be that age no matter what. Make a choice that makes you happy. There is no ageism in the law or counseling. What degree were you going for? That makes all the difference too

24. AnonymousMay 2,2023 at 2:23PM UTC

    The BA would either be business admin or business and organizational leadership and the field is sales.

25. Susan MyersApril 30,2023 at 10:29PM UTC

    This is a tough one. I am 66 and have regretted that I didn't complete the two courses for my Associates. They say it is never too late. Money is a concern and has been since I lost a good job July 2022 (unfairly, ageism and new management). Since then, sent over 200 replies to job postings, have had many, many phone screens, several in person interviews, finalist in several job openings but feel that it would have served myself better if I had some sort of degree.

    I have had some offers that didn't pan out and I accepted a two month contract in March and is up next week. I am hoping for an extension on the contract or being asked to join the company as a W2.

    In hindsight, I would have completed at least the Associates and looked for certifications in my field, HR Professional or SHRM. I only truly need to work for another year but would be happy to work longer if I am in a position that I am happy in,

    This can only be your decision, just sharing my experience. Best of Luck!!! Sue