From today's WSJ. Although, it's only one person's story. Just remember an MBA affords no guarantees - always be concious of that fact, especially in this environment.
https://blogs.wsj.com/laidoff/2009/01/26/nowadays-an-mba-doesnt-equal-job-security/Like many M.B.A.s, I am one of the millions who returned to school after a dozen years climbing the corporate ladder with only a bachelor’s degree. I thought my M.B.A. would give me an edge. I thought the combination of the degree and my years of workplace success would be a sort of Holy Grail for job security and advancement. Now I wonder if I was just naive–or if the workplace has truly changed.
From my current
vantage point, it seems there has been a shift. The level of job security an M.B.A. degree provides has diminished. Whether this is the new status quo or if it is just a temporary, recession-driven change, is unclear.
Given that in tough economic times college enrollments typically swell, I am concerned about the commoditization of the M.B.A. I worry that what is considered an advanced degree today may be considered an entry-level requirement tomorrow. My degree was a personal achievement and an investment. Like any investor, I want a positive ROI.
A few days ago, I found myself applying for a job that required less education and less management experience than what I bring to the table. It wasn’t the first time since my lay off that I applied for such a job. And while I don’t plan to make it a common practice, the competition in today’s job market is so intense that exceeding job requirements–-not just meeting them–is the new norm.
It’s frustrating to think that I am using my degree just to secure a job that doesn’t require it. For me, returning to school was a dream fulfilled. It was the personal and professional challenge I desired. I appreciated it more the second time around. My concern about the long-term value of my degree and the stability it can provide is real. Had I returned to school solely to attain job security, I would be disappointed. But for me, this was not the case.
I returned to school partly for the personal satisfaction. At the end of the day, I wouldn’t change a thing about the choices I have made even knowing I’d be laid off. If I were 10 years younger or had I completed my M.B.A. directly out of undergrad, I might think otherwise.
Ultimately, I know my education will be key in landing my next job, but it didn’t prevent me from losing my last one. And it doesn’t carry any guarantees about the job after that. Given the growing number of intelligent, experienced workers being laid off everyday, I can’t help but wonder, what besides education and experience is needed to increase job security in today’s workplace?