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Anonymous

August 5,2022 at 2:30PM UTC

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Hello! I’m an office administrator at a law firm that I’ve been at for 24 years. I started as a secretary and have been promoted to a paralegal then at my current position. I don’t have a bachelor’s degree because, well life happened with children and money issues. Anyway, I started college but stopped because again money was tight and the pandemic. I would like to get my certification in HR through SHRM. I don’t plan on leaving at all buuut you never know. Question: would the certification plus my 16+ years in HR role look better on my resume than a bachelor’s degree??

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J AlexAugust 5,2022 at 4:47PM UTC
It depends on what you want to do career-wise going forward. Keep in mind, only 25% of US population adults have a bachelors degree. An Associates Degree plus SHRM certification plus your work experience would afford you a lot of opportunities.
AnonymousAugust 5,2022 at 5:36PM UTC
Thank you!
I don’t plan on moving anywhere else so this is purely for me now. However, what if they let me go for some reason? I would like to be proactive. ? thank you!!
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistAugust 6,2022 at 12:29AM UTC
This is exactly how everyone should be thinking.
The best job security is an up-to-date resume.
J AlexAugust 6,2022 at 4:26PM UTC
As my great-grandmother frequently said, "You never know what tomorrow might bring."
If you have the energy, mental bandwidth and desire to complete either an Associates or Bachelors degree, do it for yourself. Similarly, the SHRM certification is worthwhile and widely respected.
As as Management Consultant specializing in Corporate Development, I am very well aware that job terminations occur for a wide variety of reasons -- ranging from employees departing due to receiving offers for opportunities they cannot refuse that go well beyond what the current employer could provide and retirement or family health issues which prompt the sale or wind-down of the business.
Audrey KirschAugust 5,2022 at 5:01PM UTC
Get your certification. It will show that you have no issue with continued learning. You will have some college, a certification and 16+ years of experience. Having a degree in a field probably unrelated to your career path is just a piece of paper.
AnonymousAugust 5,2022 at 5:36PM UTC
Thank you!
AnonymousAugust 5,2022 at 5:07PM UTC
Possibly. Your experience is certainly valuable. If you were to continue with the Bachelors program, could you get some credit for life/work experience?
AnonymousAugust 5,2022 at 5:34PM UTC
Yes.
One university does offer work credit but their tuition is insane. I was going the community college route and they don’t offer it. Thank you for your feedback !