My CollegeRecruiter.com | Employers & Advertisers
My CollegeRecruiter.com | Employers & Advertisers
Question:
For the past four years I have worked as a Financial Management Information Systems Administrator, I am currently looking for the same type of employment elsewhere, however I do not have a Bachelor's degree, which most employers require. I would like to find the same type of employment where I could earn a Bachelor's degree while working. Is there anything out there for me?
First Answer:
My first thought is that you should apply for positions where the employer offers tuition reimbursement, especially for work-related courses. You might also consider seeking a position at a college or university or school since most, if not all, offer this benefit with the added plus of convenience, less paperwork to get your costs reimbursed and perhaps the flexibility to build these classes into your regular schedule ( with or without the requirement to make-up time spent in classes.) Supportive employers encourage self-improvement and applaud an employee's desire to get additional training; this is the kind of job you want since you seem to have ambition and acknowledge that you need a degree to progress in your career.
Non-profits like hospitals, academic institutions, trade associations, unions, social service organizations etc. often have lower salaries than their private sector cousins BUT they can also be more amenable to benefits like flexibility to take classes that start before quitting time, or letting you work flexible hours to accommodate an early morning or lunch hour class, having a tuition reimbursement plan or free tuition for employees or at affiliated institutions. You might also seek out weekend degree programs that can be paid for through a tuition plan from a private company.I also wonder if your current employer would help you pay for your education or make accommodations to your schedule if you have not already brought this up- perhaps during a performance review that you initiate you could say that getting more education is very important and this gives them the option to offering this as a benefit to keep you.
Best of luck in reaching your goals.
-- Debra Feldman, founder of JobWhiz, creator of the JOBWHIZQUIZ, and specialist in cyber savvy strategic job search consultations.
Second Answer:
Financial Management Information System Administrators, a position title that infers the management of a database of clients and their financial backgrounds or perhaps the database is of investments, real property or other forms of corporate assets. Either way my sense is there is the management of a database involved within the scope of your responsibilities.
If this is the case, consider pursuing a certification in Oracle 8i Developer, Oracle 8i DBA or Java/Oracle Developer. These certifications have gained greater acceptance and respect since their introduction about seven years ago. The course work cost can vary between $4,000 and close to $9,000 depending on the level of certification sought. The time demands are comparable to those of pursuing a bachelors' degree. As to increased earnings, certifications can add about two to three times their cost to earnings growth, not to speak of the potential available. This is a good return on your investment.
I do not mean to take the focus from your pursuit of a Bachelor degree. It is my opinion that with your four years of experience and a desire to remain in the field in which you are currently successful, a bachelors' degree will not help you as much as specific training in your field may offer. I feel after four or five years of practical experience, the experience is a better indicator of the persons potential than the procession of a degree. This remark will no doubt cause raised eyebrows within academia but my business experience supports my contention.
The plan I suggest is to remain at your current position, obtain one of the DBA certification and then decide if you wish to make a change. Armed with your advanced training you will be more marketable as well as having a bit more experience to strengthen your marketability. In fact, you may find you will advance within your current company and find the satisfaction you are seeking in your own front yard.
-- Robert C. Resch, Career Center, Triton College.
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