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Forget that MBA, MYD (Master Your Destiny) 
1st-Dec-2008 06:51 am
me
I graduated from the University at Albany in 1992 with a BS (I thought those two letters were always quite telling) in Accounting. Degree in hand, and job offers on the table, I set off into corporate America to start my life as a professional auditor.

Right after I left SUNYA, the rules for certification as a CPA changed. The old rules were that you had to have a Bachelor degree and three years experience (in addition to passing the CPA exam) in order to become certified. After the rule change, you needed what amounted to a Masters degree, and only one year of professional experience.

The change made no sense to me. Book learnin’ is no match for real experience. Thinking about solving problems is no match for actually solving them. The changes were just dumb.

In fact, I’d go so far as to say that many professions should stop requiring higher degrees and switch to apprenticeship programs. Or rather, they should switch back to them – because that is the way things used to be. You wanted to be an accountant? You didn’t go to college, you went to work for an accounting firm.

I’ve been saying this for years. Apparently, I’m not the only one that thinks actions speak louder than pieces of paper on a wall…

Seth Godin posted an interesting proposition on Squidoo today. The crib notes version: If you want to work with one of the greatest marketing minds of our time in a dynamic and challenging team environment, Seth is offering to mentor you.

The catch? Other than having to move to New York? Well, while the program doesn’t cost anything, it also doesn’t pay anything either.

But… so what? The knowledge and experience participants will accrue far surpass, in my opinion, any financial compensation.

This is an opportunity for the hungry. It’s a chance for you to learn and learn quick. Forget about grad school and classrooms and student loans. If you have the ‘intestinal fortitude’ to gamble for greatness, this could be a life-changing experience for you.
Comments 
1st-Dec-2008 05:56 pm (UTC)
[info]shellyinseattle
I agree that too many people opt for the easy way to judge people's ability -- credentials -- instead of by what really counts, ability.

Also, that too many people equate college degree with good job so much so that a number of good-paying professions like electric line repair people are in short supply.

Found this feel-good article to be in agreement with you: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/30/sunday/main4638577.shtml?tag=lowerContent;homeSectionBlock201
1st-Dec-2008 06:01 pm (UTC)
[info]ephealy
My wife is a valuation analyst. What's that? She value privately held companies for rich people so they can avoid death taxes. Fun, eh?

Anyway, there are so few people in this field that everyone is slammed. Her employer is constantly bemoaning the lack of quality prospects out there.

Do CFAs really need all those credentials and a degree? Or would they learn more, more quickly, if they just joined a firm after high school?

I'm sure you know my opinion. :)
1st-Dec-2008 08:10 pm (UTC)
[info]friadoc
While I adore academia, I'd be a college student for life, if I could, I think real world experience should count for a lot more than it does, too.

As a personal example, I have worked in the IT field since 1996, moving up from a customer service type position into field service, technical writer, system administration, and so forth. However, I do not have a single industry certification, no A+, MSCE, none of it, thus my experience usually earns me a slot in the round file since those various letters are not on my resume. Now, it is even more ironic since, more often than naught, I know more than most folks who have the bare minimum of an A+ and MSCE and have had to walk them through things, more often than naught.

Thus, my deep seeded desire to bail on IT and launch my thirty-something self into a different direction. My associates in CJ is about done, so I should be able to leverage it and my IT experience into something a lot nicer and more meaningful, I am sure.
2nd-Dec-2008 02:30 pm (UTC)
[info]thehussman
Isn't a degree really mostly a testament that you can see something through? I graduated with a BFA in Theatre, with an acting emphasis (a major I recommend to absolutely no one). I've never worked a lick of professional theatre yet, and have worked in Television (various) since the early 90's and TV marketing since '98. All of my 'expertise' I leanred on the job. I think my degree really only helped me get a job in the sense that I was viewed as someone who could get something done.

It is interesting where life leads you.
2nd-Dec-2008 09:01 pm (UTC)
[info]ephealy
This is precisely why I think most college degrees are a waste of time and money. Your experience is very common - I had the same one, more or less.
2nd-Dec-2008 09:24 pm (UTC)
[info]thehussman
You could argue that, and I'd likely agree in many cases, but I do think that some degrees are integral to many occupations.

Journalism is a perfect example. You can be a reporter without a J-School degree, but you're much better off in your field with a degree than w/o.

Plus, my first point about degrees showing that you can complete four years of coursework does account for something that a lot of employers take seriosuly when hiring. Even if it isn't a degree in the field you're applying for.
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