by Angela Copeland | May 4, 2015 | Advice, Newsletter
You’d be surprised at how often someone says, “Angela, I’ve decided to go back to school. My resume just doesn’t have the right education to land me the job I want. I know my current degree is standing in my way.”
Don’t get me wrong; I’m a big supporter of higher education. I earned bachelor and master’s degrees from well-respected institutions, and I can attest that my degrees have been a huge help to me.
But, if you’ve already completed your education and have been in the workforce for some time, you may want to take a second look at this idea.
Why are you considering going back to school? Is it because you love to learn? Do you want to switch to a field like legal, medical, or architecture where specific degrees are required? Or, do you believe that a new degree will transform your job search?
If you like to learn, or if a degree is required in your new field, I’m with you. I understand why you want to go back.
If you don’t want to work in a field where a specific degree is required, and you do believe your job search will be transformed, it’s time to ask a few questions.
The reason I say this is because all too often, people spend years of their time and many thousands of their dollars financing a second education. Upon graduation, they’re surprised to find out their search is just as tough as it was before. But, now, they have student loans to pay back.
No matter which degree you have, finding the right job is still hard work.
If you’re thinking of returning to school, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Why do I want to go back to school? Again, do you want to learn, is a degree required, or are you betting that a new degree will change your odds?
- Is a degree really required for the new field I want to get into? Setup informational interviews with people in the field you want to work in. Ask them about how they got there. Find out what they studied in college and graduate school.
- How well respected is the school I want to attend? So many people I speak with have obtained an advanced degree through an online program. After graduation, they’re shocked to learn that many employers don’t recognize their hard work. They don’t get a promotion or a pay raise.
- What’s the average salary of graduates from my desired program? Many universities share the starting salaries of their graduates with the public. When you begin to compare them, you’ll be surprised at how wide the range is, depending on the school you select.
- What is the return on investment for this program? There are many calculators online to help you with this question. You give up money for tuition, and sometimes you’re giving up a paycheck while you’re in school, and all as you pay for yourself to live. How much will you have to sacrifice financially to go back to school? How much will you gain in return (a.k.a. a salary bump) upon graduation?
- Is my job search truly going to be impacted by a new degree? Be honest with yourself. Are you failing at your search because of your education, or because of your approach?
- Do I have realistic expectations? Do you clearly understand what you’re giving up, what your goals are, and what you expect long term from your degree? Have you thought through this decision carefully?
If you feel comfortable with your responses to these questions, by all means, go back to school. In fact, start applying soon as many deadlines are fast approaching. But, do your best to not allow education to be the crutch that’s holding you back from pursuing the job of your dreams. Going back to school for the wrong reasons is a very expensive lesson to learn.
On tomorrow’s episode of the Copeland Coaching Podcast, I interview Roger Johnson, Director of Individual Giving at the Seattle International Film Festival. Roger started his own career in a very different area and has since worked for a number of organizations. Check out the podcast on Tuesday to learn how Roger was able to switch to from one industry to another, and from for-profit to non-profit. It just might inspire your own search!
I hope these tips have helped you. Visit CopelandCoaching.com to find more tips to improve your job search. If I can be of assistance to you, don’t hesitate to reach out to me here.
Also, be sure to subscribe to my Copeland Coaching Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Stitcher where I discuss career advice every Tuesday! If you’ve already heard the podcast and enjoy it, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts or Stitcher.
Happy hunting!
Angela Copeland
@CopelandCoach
by Angela Copeland | May 4, 2015 | Job Posting
KPMG is seeking a Managing Director in Memphis, TN.
Responsibilities:
- Provide tax compliance and advisory services to partnerships, corporations, and S-corporations for a variety of clients from Fortune 100 to emerging businesses
- Work as part of a multi-disciplinary team helping to provide industry knowledge and experience
- Manage a portfolio of clients of varying size and scope and act as the first point of contact for internal and external clients
- Build and manage client relationships, manage teams of tax professionals and assistants working on client projects, and participate in and contribute to market and business activities external to the firm
- Manage risk and financial performance of engagements including billing, collections and the project budgets
- Advise clients and be responsible for delivering high quality tax service and advice
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the KPMG job posting here.
by Angela Copeland | May 4, 2015 | Job Posting
Keurig is seeking a Beverage R&D Manager at their headquarters in Waterbury, VT.
- Manage formulation, testing and commercialization of products for partner, owned and private label brands
- Understand beverage processing and manage process development resources to deliver unique and targeted product attributes and functionality.
- Manage external and internal resources to identify and conduct appropriate analytical testing in the development of stable beverage systems.
- Manage inter-company R&D relationships and communications with ingredient partners and suppliers
- Manage product performance testing, including brew, shelf-life, product/package interaction and distribution testing
- Develop and maintain product specs
- Support, and in some cases lead, ingredient supplier and co-manufacturer expansion efforts
- Improve established product manufacturing support program to quickly and efficiently respond to Operations
- Develop and mentor staff members to build R&D organizational capabilities
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Keurig job posting here.
by Angela Copeland | May 3, 2015 | Job Posting
Southern Living is seeking a Senior Editor in Birmingham, AL.
The Senior Editor, Southern Living will communicate the editorial vision of Southern Living leading the charge at the signature Southern brand within the Time Inc. portfolio. This is a key role for a vision-focused leader with experience developing food content who is excited by the chance to mobilize a team around big ideas, projects, and packages.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Southern Living job posting here.
by Angela Copeland | May 2, 2015 | Job Posting
Major League Baseball is seeking a Commercial Manager for the Australian Baseball League in New South Wales.
Reporting to the CEO of the Sydney Blue Sox, the Commercial Manager will manage all commercial interests of the club. This will include generating gate revenue through ticket sales, marketing, and brand building, to deliver an attractive product. The Commercial Manager will also be responsible for driving sponsorship sales, participating in future facility planning, and the coordination of networking and fundraising events.
The Australian Baseball League (ABL) is owned by Major League Baseball and Baseball Australia, and is the national league of Australia with franchises in all of its largest cities. Operating as a single entity the ABL is a unique, exciting, entrepreneurial work environment encouraging all employees to share ideas, get involved in their communities, act creatively, and to have fun.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the MLB job posting here.
by Angela Copeland | May 1, 2015 | Advice, Media
My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “We’re All in Sales.”
Lately, I’ve heard the phrase, “we’re all in sales” a few too many times. This thought can be a strange one to grasp when you think about it. For example, how could you ever be considered to be “in sales” if you work in the accounting, operations or legal department?
Changes are that when you started your career, you were open to many more options than you are today. After all, you had no particular experience yet and just wanted to get your feet wet. You’d take any job that was related to what you studied, just as long as it would pay the bills.
As time goes on however, your needs become more specific. You may become set on a particular industry, department or role within the organization. As such, the number of total opportunities available shrinks considerably. In turn, the career competition within a certain category can increase.
Rather than distribute your resume as if your computer was a firehose, it’s time to become more targeted.
To learn exactly what you should do to be more targeted, read my entire Memphis Daily News column here.
by Angela Copeland | May 1, 2015 | Job Posting
The Mid-South Food Bank is seeking a Major Gifts Manager in Memphis, TN.
The Major Gifts Manager works closely with the CEO and the CDO to develop and implement strategy for major gift donor relationship management (manage, nurture, upgrade) to meet short and long-term goals of the department. The primary objective is of the Major Gifts Manager is to develop long-term relationships built on a firm understanding of donors’ interests, passions and values.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Mid-South Food Bank job posting here.
by Angela Copeland | May 1, 2015 | Job Posting
The New York City Ballet is seeking a Managing Director of the David Koch Theater in New York, NY.
The Managing Director is responsible for oversight and management of overall operations of the Koch Theater, including day-to-day building operations, labor negotiations, capital construction and maintenance, front-of-house and customer service, and rentals and client relations. This position reports to the Executive Director, New York City Ballet, and works closely with the Board of Governors of CCMD and its Chairman.
The successful candidate will be a senior professional performing arts executive with a specialization in facilities management and theater operations, demonstrated through years of progressively significant positions and relevant educational background.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the New York City Ballet job posting here.
by Angela Copeland | Apr 30, 2015 | Job Posting
The Department of the Navy is seeking a Program Manager in Memphis, TN.
The Navy and Marine Corps team offers innovative, exciting and meaningful work linking military and civilian talents to achieve our mission and safeguard our freedoms. Department of the Navy provides competitive salaries, comprehensive benefits, and extensive professional development and training. From pipefitters to accountants, scientists to engineers, doctors to nurses-the careers and opportunities to make a difference are endless. Civilian careers-where purpose and patriotism unite!
Navy Personnel Research, Studies, and Technology (NPRST), is an applied science and technology research organization, whose mission is to leverage emerging technologies that support the Navy’s manpower, personnel and training mission. The Force Management Sciences Division is responsible for developing technology solutions to monitor the current personnel enterprise, anticipate future challenges, and evaluate policy alternatives. It is also responsible for developing new technologies for optimally assigning and distributing personnel to jobs based on Navy needs, sailor preferences and individual career development. This position is leader for the Force Management Science Division of NPRST. The incumbent reports to the Deputy Director, NPRST/BUPERS-1, Bureau of Naval Personnel. As the Force Management Science Division Head, the incumbent directs a research program and a staff of researchers; provides direction, policy guidance, advice, coordination, and oversight on all aspects of programs within the division. This involves the direction and coordination of all personnel management functions for a highly specialized professional staff.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Navy job posting here.
by Angela Copeland | Apr 30, 2015 | Job Posting
The Austin Chamber of Commerce is seeking a Director of Economic Development in Austin, TX.
Under the direction of the Senior Vice President of Global Technology and Innovation, the Director is responsible for managing and executing the company formation, technology, and innovation strategies and initiatives of the five county regional Innovate Austin program in conjunction with the overall economic development department objectives.
To learn more, or to apply online, visit the Austin Chamber of Commerce job posting here.
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