The Hard Truth: Certifications vs. Degrees
Now some of you will disagree with this blog. For those of you that do, post below and tell me why. Feel free to share your experience. The topic at hand and my viewpoint is based on my own experience and my experience as an HR Leader and Consultant in the industry. I have been on both sides of the table as the nervous candidate being interviewed and the employer trying to get to the real essence of a candidate and not the representative they sent to the interview.
The hard truth is ego wise I wouldn’t have changed a thing- but career strategically wise; I would have skipped all these degrees and just obtained certifications. During this time of Quarantine; my certifications have kept me afloat. They have given me an edge over other consultants and candidates seeking employment/clients. They help me stand out as more than just an HR Consultant and more than just a Resume Writer. One day I can work on a Salesforce Admin project (the base for Salesforce Admin’s is $80K by the way), and another day I can consult my small business clients in process improvement through my Six Sigma Green Belt knowledge. I know people say “I don’t mean to brag.” But I do, I worked hard and finally have the confidence to toot my own horn. Coaching helped with that.
Anyway, I digress.
Please know that I am the degree Queen. When I was 4 my mom asked me what I wanted to do and I said, “be a businesswoman and be the highest in school.” It appears my 4-year-old self was onto something.
Mommy and I
I’ll put a pic of my dad in the next blog…
Through these 37 years of life I have obtained: A Bachelor’s in Sociology, a Masters in Public Administration, a Doctorate in Public Policy and Administration, a Green Belt Six Sigma, and a Salesforce Administrator Certification. Out of all these degrees and certifications, the ones that are most marketable for me are my certifications. The ones that give me an edge over the competition and the leverage to negotiate the salary I want and deserve are the certifications. Now, the degrees are impressive; especially since only 2% of the population has doctoral degrees and even less than that are Black Ph.D.’s.
Now it is true that it depends on what you major in. I know some mechanical engineer majors and some finance majors that can stand on their degrees alone and receiving a certification like a Black Belt Six Sigma is just that extra certification to make them more money and stand out from their peers.
Here are 7 reasons why certifications are beneficial:
1. Certifications are less time-consuming.
2. Certification training is all about weeks, whereas a degree is all about years.
3. Certifications are skill-oriented- Not based on just knowing how to perform a skill but actually performing that skill.
4. In some industries- employers search for staff with a skill, not with a degree.
5. Certifications are cheaper- Although not cheap at all, the certification accepted worldwide is at least five times less expensive than a degree accepted worldwide.
6. You don't have to leave your job to take certification training. Sometimes when obtaining an advanced degree, you have to modify your work schedule or quit altogether depending on the type of degree.
7. Certifications pay off faster- Not only does the certification cost you less money, but also provides a greater return on investment such as an increase of salary and/or a new job. A certification will cover the cost within a year or two, while the money spent to obtain a degree may return slowly during five or ten years.
TRUTH MOMENT
I have an astronomical amount of student loan debt for all of my degrees combined. I wish someone would have told me that that there was another way! Sometimes our own pressures, not knowing what we want, and family influence encourages us to get degree after degree. Later on in life we may not be working in our degree field, and have thousands in debt. We are thankful for the college experience, but we realize that the return on investment wasn’t worth it.
If this is you, don’t feel discouraged. Your degree IS meaningful. Use those transferable skills the best way you can. Utilize the FREE 45-minute career consultation offered by ShareTheRich. I can show you how to make the degree(s) work for you, or if you want to change careers, we can do that too.
In the meantime, below is a list of some top marketable certifications (not in order).
1. Salesforce Administrator Certification
2. Green/Black Belt Six Sigma- Specializing in implementing and sustaining high-impact projects, developing improvement initiatives, and leading project teams.
3. Project Management Professional (PMP)
4. (PHR) Professional in Human Resources Human Resource Management
5. Agile and Scrum
6. AWS Certified Solutions Architect
7. (CISSP) - Certified Information Systems Security Professional
8. Cisco Certifications
9. CompTIA A+
10. (ITIL)- Information Technology Infrastructure Library
11. (GIAC) Global Information Assurance Certification (GIAC)
12. MCSE - Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert
13. CEH - Certified Ethical Hacker
Some last tips
1) Be strategic with your career. This applies if you have just started your career or if you are knee-deep in a job and want to pursue a true career plan- strategically think of where you are, where you want to be, and what is holding you back. I can help! Contact me to schedule a complimentary 45-minute career coaching session.
2) If you are in your career and want to pursue an additional degree or certification- try and get your job to pay for it! This is a major key! Be prepared- they may require you to stay employed with them 1-2 years after you receive the degree/certification.
3) There is no limit to certifications, and most are done online. We are all under Corona Quarantine- so if you feel up to it and have the financial means- go for it! You can emerge out of this Corona Crisis with a new certification!
Need help with a strategic career plan? Contact me for a Complimentary 45-minute Career Coaching Session. We will discuss where you are, where you want to be, and what is holding you back. Interested in a ShareTheRich service? Use discount code QUARANTINE2020 at checkout and receive 20% off any order. Don’t leave savings on the table!
With love
-Dr. Share Bear
