Do I really need to do it all?

8 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 10,2024 at 1:47PM UTC

   You walk the talk for respect. That means you consistently manage with respect, knowledge and humor. You know your stuff and demonstrate expertise and balance.

   As for your ambitions to achieve, create a plan. Research various certification and education programs, financial choices and timing. Many on this portal have accomplished education and family and then some. You just realize it's timing and determination and balance. .slow and steady.

   You say you don't know what to do? That's because you don't have a clear plan. That means you have research to do, plotting out a path. It's all very do-able. Very achievable. It just takes understanding of your priorities, timing, finances and knowing what makes sense over time. Only you can then know what your next steps are. Don't get too ahead of yourself. Your career and life path is for the long haul.

2. Jonna Ferguson, ACCApril 10,2024 at 2:17PM UTC

   Based on what you've already achieved, you could advance your career and education in any way you choose. But the question you posed is most important... Why are you doing it? Do you want others to respect you, your credentials and to acknowledge your experience, or would you be doing it for YOU, because this is your passion and the most important dream and accomplishment you want to achieve for yourself?

   Before creating a plan, ask yourself, "Why is this important to me?" Be deeply honest with yourself and soul-search. Consider what aspects of your life would be like with these credentials and without them. How would they impact your relationships, quality of life and what you value most in the world? You know yourself best. Trust yourself and do this for YOU.

3. AnonymousApril 10,2024 at 2:53PM UTC

   Out of the 3 I’d say the MBA has the lowest ROI. Unless your company will pay for it, I wouldn’t bother.

4. Kimberley Ferretti HammettApril 10,2024 at 3:03PM UTC

   Credibility is valuable but I generally recommend not making education/training decisions based on a certificate only. Consider the timelines and knowledge or capability each would allow you and determine what would be most valuable to you/make your work easier and start there. You don't have to decide now if you will do all of it, start with the one that would add the most to your life or work and once you have that, come back to your list and decide your next steps. Would Six Sigma create more efficiency that would significantly alleviate challenges for yourself and team? Would an MBA give you skills and knowledge that will make you better at your job? What are those skills? Are there other options to obtain those skills in a meaningful way? Or is it really just about the paper credentialing you?

   If you think the biggest gain you would get from any of these is credibility, consider what other avenues could garner that credibility. Can you build your reputation internally by showcasing your applied knowledge and flexing those leadership skills? Can you build your reputation externally through networking and establishing yourself as an industry expert (maybe sit on boards or apply yourself or team for engineering awards or team recognition from associations)?

5. AnonymousApril 10,2024 at 4:01PM UTC

   I would suggest focusing on PE first to allow you to sign off on items quickly. The second item would be an MBA. this would allow you to have credentials and knowledge to move up the corporate ladder (what you are hoping to do). Third would be 6-Sigma. There were a couple of statistics classes in the MBA that would be an intro to some of the 6-Sigma information. I am guessing that you want the full black belt in 6-Sigma rather than lower levels. I checked the web for times to complete the various tasks. PE = (The approximate time frame for in-depth preparation and promising success comprises 200-300 hours. On average, students can easily pass the PE exam after studying for 3-4 months.). MBA = (I finished it in 10 months online in an accelerated fashion. This method can take 2 years if pursued in standard fashion). 6-Sigma = (The Six Sigma Black Belt certification generally takes between 1 to 3 months to study for and complete, depending on the organization you get your certification through. The average completion time for the Six Sigma Black Belt through the Management and Strategy Institute is 30 days.) Normally businesses will reimburse degree plans. Not all businesses will reimburse certifications. Review the business reimbursement policies and learning completion times to assemble a plan to complete learning that makes sense. Hope this helps.

6. AnonymousApril 11,2024 at 8:54PM UTC

   Go for the PE license. And look at online MBA programs. Does your company offer educational reimbursement or have any educational plans? If so, University of South Carolina has a top PMBA program (for working professionals and can be taken online). Take a look and having more education and certs for your role to move you up through your working years is never a bad idea. I can tell you when promotions come up or you are in a pool of candidates, having the PE and another degree with the experience, will put you at the top of the list. Good luck!

7. Lisa McCartneyApril 11,2024 at 8:59PM UTC

   Depending on what state you are in the PE degree can be daunting in and of itself. My ex-husband had to sit under and be trained by another PE for 5 years (Ohio - civil engineering). My MBA was a 2 year endeavor which I dedicated 70 - 80 hours a week.

   I am not saying you can't do it, but maybe research first. Good Luck!!

8. AnonymousApril 12,2024 at 3:34AM UTC

   Assuming you want to advance in your career, continuing to build your credentials is a good idea. Degrees, accreditations, certificates, and experience are all useful. From what you say, your organization could save money if you get the PE license - so are they willing to help pay any expenses toward that or give you some paid time to work on it? I'd recommend you continue with these goals, but you don't need to do them all at once, and you should see what assistance you can get, rather than assuming you need to take on the whole thing on your own.