Planning for your professional future
Now more than ever, people are questioning what path makes the most sense for their professional growth and development. The pandemic has created an even more competitive job market and has hit young professionals the hardest. Many millennials are questioning whether to go back to school for a master’s degree or if they are better off going a different route.
It is common for someone to gain experience by working in the field for many years without obtaining a degree or certification. However, some people may not consider that person a professional in the field until he or she have a certain level of education. This is because people will know that the person has a fundamental knowledge of rules, regulations, and best practices in the field based on a person’s level of education. When you only have experience in a given role, this can greatly vary based on your organization and level of responsibility. This is why the question of which path to take for professional development becomes more pressing the higher a person moves up in their career.
While all of these options will be based on your personal situation these are some pros and cons of pursuing a degree program or a certification program.
What is the difference between a degree and a certificate?
A degree is awarded to a student that passes a curriculum from a college or university that is typically determined based is recognized by an independent accreditation group that is recognized by the Department of Education.
A professional certificate typically requires a person to prove their knowledge and experience in a specific field. Professional certificates prepares you for how to perform a specific type of role.
Pros and Cons of getting a Degree
Benefits
- A degree is lifelong
- Build a diverse network
- Having a college experience
A degree is lifelong
Once you have a degree it’s yours. Once you have graduated from a degree program, no one can take that from you. This is different than many professional certifications where you have to do some form of continuous learning to maintain your certification. The information that is taught in a degree program typically seeks for the information to be valuable and resourceful to the student in however way they plan to use it once they graduate. Even as industries advance and evolve some of the core fundamentals taught in a degree program do not change. A degree can be looked at as a baseline or foundation of knowledge for many careers. Since professional certificate programs are typically specialized to certain roles within an industry, it is important to stay up to date on the trends, laws, and policies of that role to maintain the certification as a expert or professional in that role.
Build a diverse network
College is a great networking opportunity during and after degree program. Get to meet people from all over the country or even the world in a way that you probably won’t anywhere else.
The college experience
The college experience helps you grow as an individual and a professional. Colleges and universities work hard to create an environment where you can thrive and succeed. Whether you are going for a bachelors or an advanced degree, going to school full time or part time, or attending in person or online it is a valuable experience that will help you thorough your career. Everything that you learn in college doesn’t always stay with you but the things that you did like extracurricular activities, studying, and presentations are the things that stay with you that help you develop as a professional.
Drawbacks
- Degrees are expensive
- Opportunity cost of income and time
- Not all degree programs are created equally
Degrees are expensive
A degree is typically more costly than obtaining a certification. Perusing a certification can cost a hundred dollars or a few thousand dollars where a degree can cost tens of thousands of dollars. It is important to consider the return on investment before entering into a degree or certification program.
Opportunity cost of income and time
Opportunity cost of time or loss of income. While colleges are making it easier to work and go to school it is a lot of work to do both at the same time. If you choose to enroll in college full time, you may be missing out on an opportunity to earn income. It is also a huge sacrifice of time that could be spent with family or other activities.
Not all degree programs are created equally
Although the price of education continues to go up, it is important to recognize that all college degrees are not created equal. Some people believe that if they get a piece of paper that it will automatically change their life. Not all colleges have the same resources, access to the best faculty, or types of connections in certain careers. All of the above are important factors to consider when deciding which school is the best choice for you. Some people believe that if they get a degree that it will automatically change their life and the direction of their career. Unfortunately, having a degree does not make you a unique job candidate
Pros and Cons of getting a Professional Certification
Benefits
- Certifications can be more specialized
- Certifications are typically less expensive than degrees
- Networking with professionals
Certifications can be more specialized
May be a better alternative than pursuing a master’s degree depending on your field. Since certifications tend to be more specialized this may be more helpful to you if you know exactly what you want to do than a broad program that covers many topics pertaining to a certain field. As stated above, professional certifications help prepare you for how to do a job and manage others doing a job.
Certifications are typically less expensive than degrees
Certifications are typically cheaper than a degree and more specialized to your specific career path. For example, you could go to school and get a degree in Analytics or you can get a certification in how to use different types of Business Insights (BI) software.
Networking with professionals
Great networking opportunity primarily after gaining certificate. Depending on the extensive process to obtain a certification, there are opportunities to meet and study with others that are seeking the same certification. However, this is not typically required like engagement opportunities in a degree program. Many certifications are managed by organizations which hold networking events and learning opportunities. This is a great way to meet other professionals in your field. In college you meet people when they are figuring out what they want to do in their career. If you are in a specialized professional organization you will be networking with people who have experience and other connections in your field.
Drawbacks
- Degrees are used to weed out candidates
- Prerequisites for certifications
- Continuous learning to maintain certification is often required
Degrees are used to weed out candidates
Job descriptions typically require degrees over certifications with certifications being a compliment to them. While this isn’t always the case since times are changing and certifications are respected it may be necessary for you to get both degree(s) and certification(s) throughout your career.
Prerequisites for certifications
Some certifications require a degree or a specific amount of applicable experience. Depending on your industry, a bachelor’s degree may be a baseline requirement to pursue the certification. This is something you will need to look into when determining which program is right for you. In some careers, it is possible for you to pass an exam for a certification, but you need a certain amount of applicable experience to be official and have the letters behind your name. Read the expectations and requirements of the certificate program before you pursue it so that you know what you meet the standards or are able to meet the standards in time.
Continuous learning to maintain certification is often required
You may be required to do a form of continuous learning to maintain your certification. While this can be a nuisance at times, it will help you stay up to date on current trends and people will respect your certification all the more for it.
Ultimately, you should have a plan for your career
You should have an understanding of what you want to do with your career before pursuing a degree or certification. Neither are a guarantee for success just by having it. It is common for people to decide to pursue more education in times of economic decline when jobs are difficult to find. While more education may help you, it may not always be the answer. You need to have a plan for how you are going to use it otherwise it will just be another line on your resume. Make this plan before you start your program. Try not to wait until you are already in it or after you have finished, otherwise you will be wasting time and potential opportunities.
