Foolish or rational: Job that doesn't require the degree that I just earned

Background: I have held my current (management, full time) position for a little over two years now. I recently graduated, and I am looking for the next step. Another position within my company arose that I am interested in, but its educational requirements are a high school diploma, whereas I have just completed my B.S.

Staying with the company is definitely playing it safe: Vested 401k, reasonable health insurance rates, and I am near the maximum benefits election (I've been with the company for 11 years). The new position definitely has its perks: New work atmosphere, it's in a new city, and it is still full-time hourly, with the possibility of overtime most weeks. The hours are much better than what I am used to; a "late" shift typically ends by 7:30.

By considering this position, am I selling myself short? Should I count on my degree paying immediate dividends, or is it rational to wait until a position higher on the totem pole to fully take advantage of my degree's benefit?

I say go for it. Unless it prevents you from utilizing your degree later, don't worry.

Watch this interview, then decide
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/231844/june-24-2009/matthew-crawford

The relevant bit is that Crawford made more money and had a more interesting gig BEFORE he tried a job that used his master's degree. The same thing happened after his Ph.D. Then he found something to do that was actually intellectually stimulating. That job didn't even require a degree.

Is it a better situation? Then go for it.

so you think the job is "below" you because you have a degree that isn't required for the job?

could be worse: you could be like a lot of recent college grads that are living at home yet because they are "too good" to flip burgers at the golden arches until something comes up that fits their degree..

novaderrik wrote: so you think the job is "below" you because you have a degree that isn't required for the job? could be worse: you could be like a lot of recent college grads that are living at home yet because they are "too good" to flip burgers at the golden arches until something comes up that fits their degree..

Or they are living at home, flipping burgers because that BA in English is useless.

novaderrik wrote: so you think the job is "below" you because you have a degree that isn't required for the job? could be worse: you could be like a lot of recent college grads that are living at home yet because they are "too good" to flip burgers at the golden arches until something comes up that fits their degree..

Edited to sound a bit less like an shiny happy person.

Do I think the job is "below" me? No, but I consider my education an investment of time, copious amounts of money, and deferred wages, so it only seems natural to want the best ROI. When was the last time I had to sweep the floor, or check someone out at a cash register? I believe it was about nine hours ago.

If you're imagining some entitled, freeloading trust-funder, I would like to think that you've got the wrong guy. Football games, keggers, traveling, and all of the other lifestyle experiences that represent the quintessential college experience, I experienced vicariously through my peers. Mornings, nights, weekends, holidays, and breaks; I was at work.

I have two college degrees. Neither of them are in any way associated with my current job. Did they help me get my job? Yes! But, If the need arose; I could get a job in one of my fields of expertise quickly.. Unfortunately at reduced pay compared to what I am making now...

I read Crawford's Shop Class as Soulcraft a few years ago; I should give it another read. Thankfully, I gained a lot more from my education than a piece of paper. My degree program was very hands-on, and the professors typically attempted to related course material to industry, and cautioned about the potential limitations of information presented.

For the record, I was already leaning towards the job (again, assuming I get an offer) for a great number of reasons. I asked here, because aside from co-workers, most of the people I interact with are in academia. A different perspective never hurts.

Just because a job is not directly tied to your degree does not mean the degree is not still useful in the position. You have knowledge and experience beyond the normal scope of the job. You can think in a way different from others.

It is like the challenge of racing cars or riding a motorcycle without getting killed preparing your mind for the non-driving parts of life.

From your initial tone, I would offer you already know the answer; you are just looking for validation that is not wasting your degree because it's not required.

You're not.

Mitchell wrote: ...Do I think the job is "below" me? No, but I consider my education an investment of time, copious amounts of money, and deferred wages, so it only seems natural to want the best ROI.

But to satisfy your lingering doubts, you should define ROI as to what you want; $$? quality,? challenge? satisfaction? Define that and see if the new job checks those boxes. If it does, go. Having the degree makes you more competitive, even if it isn't required. That’s an immediate return.

The whole point of a degree, and as I see, all education in a job market is to give you options. You have a choice of taking this new job, which sounds awesome, or staying where you are, or even pursing something else. To that end, you have accomplished the point of the degree and the investment has started to give you returns.

Selling yourself short? Not at all. I would offer you made yourself more competitive than you would have been without the degree. You are internal, dedicated (11 years) and driven (got your degree on your own time and dime). Who knows what doors the new job might open? I trained as an HR person, and I would pick you first and promote you first.

More importantly, you pursued a degree to increase your quality of life, be that financial, satisfaction or knowledge based, or even a combo of all three. It sounds like this job checks all of those boxes as well.

Short version, you win. Apply; enjoy the fruits of your labor and don’t look back.

The engineering manager at my shop has a business degree and not a eng degree. Dies that make him a bad enineer? Nope!

Bird in hand and all that happy stuff.

I wouldn't sweat it unless you can make significantly more moving to a degree job.

The questions I haven't seen raised yet are:

1.) What's the realistic placement opportunities with your degree? And will those positions pay what this one will, either short-term or long-term?

2.) Are the positions which you can get with your degree something you actually want? And if so, will they provide more satisfaction, or more long-term growth than this opportunity?

I have a good friend who has a degree in industrial design, his first gig after graduation? Working for one of the major insurance companies. ~15-years later he's still there, and is an adjuster in the classic/specialty car division.

My degree was in electronics, and I was out of school 6-years before doing anything related(and really, it wasn't that closely related, beyond basic troubleshooting skills). I was in that industry 14-years, eventually working into pretty much an IT role, before finally getting into database development(with the help and coaching of several GRMers!).

Serious question: how is the company doing? I know at least locally they have some very serious competition.

Stay at your current company as long as possible if you can handle the job and they are willing to move you up or laterally. If your personal or professional growth slows, either look for another job in the company that matches more of your goals, or move on.

I've learned that I love a challenge and an end to the project that I'm working on. My current position, although it sounds boring to most, provides a challenge and a foreseeable "finish" that will create lasting value to the company and to the public. The next project hopefully is the same. When those types of challenging projects run out, I will look for another position within the company or outside of it.

What did you go to school for and what do your company do?

My degree is in human biology/anthropology. I work in auto insurance. You know my opinion on this topic.

My son has a BFA from Tufts and SMFA. He is in restaraunt management and a licensed sommelier. When you hate to get up in the morning, it's a long life. Do what makes you happy.

Your resume' gets your foot in the door, your personality keeps the job.

What I've found, at least where I work, is that a degree will help even if it's not in the field you're working in. It shows dedication and willingness to learn. In my job, a degree is preferred but not mandatory. My degree helps put me ahead of others with the same background as I have when it comes to promotions. It has helped in that respect. Of course, I work for the government so might not apply otherwise.

Mitchell wrote: Football games, keggers, traveling, and all of the other lifestyle experiences that represent the quintessential college experience, I experienced vicariously through my peers. Mornings, nights, weekends, holidays, and breaks; I was at work.

That's why you're employed, and some of them are not. You've got the determination to work through something even if it is not handed to you on a platter. Be proud of that.

Why did you get a degree? More money and a better job? This is one, so take it.

I have a BFA in music theater and am currently getting my master's in counseling. I've made my money in the automotive world. I'm certainly not using my degree, but I'm definitely using my education.

The days of getting a degree and then using that specific degree in the job field are all but gone. I just enjoy the education. How I pay for it is a different thing altogether.

Weigh the pros and cons and don't hesitate to jump if it looks like a better position.

neon4891 wrote: Or they are living at home, flipping burgers because that BA in English is useless.

Okay, as someone with a BA in English, I have to disagree. The core knowledge of the major is not directly applicable to the vast majority of jobs, but a lot of the skills are. You just have to understand what your actual skills are and how to market them. If you were any good as an English major, you should have learned how to market and idea.

I am better at my job as a brewer because I was an English major. Doubly so because I spent a few years teaching before I realized that wasn't for me. I know how to communicate, analyze, and be creative. I understand a lot of the psychology of communication.

If I decide I want to open a brewing company of my own, what I learned being an English major will be of far more use to me than what I would have learned if I had studied micro-biology.

Reminds me of a very interesting article: 10 Ways Bering a Theatre Major Prepared Me for Success.

I'd only avoid it if the job puts you on a path that you don't want to be on. I'll use a story to illustrate.
A friend of mine graduated with a bachelors in Mechanical Engineering Technology. The market was good, but he was married and limited to jobs that were within a commute of his in-laws house. He settled for staying with the company he had been working for before college doing industrial sheet metal and roofing. His degree and professionalism put him in front of a lot of other guys and he's doing quite well. However, 10 years out and he's at the top of his field without being a business owner. Had he gone down the engineering path he could have risen quite a lot higher in pay/job interest, but to do that now would require a 1/3 to 1/2 pay cut with four kids at home and basically starting over. There's no real way to make a lateral move from where he is to where he wants to go.
Can you get where you want to go by taking this path?

Well, I got a call with an offer this afternoon, so it looks like I will be moving to Orlando in the coming weeks. My degree is in horticultural sciences, so I know that I am quite fortunate that I will be utilizing my degree in a context that I was hoping to. My new role will be inspecting incoming loads of all fresh commodities at our regional warehouse.

Thanks everyone for the insight.

Aside from the job, what am I most excited about? Hopefully, never using a laundromat ever again.