Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco , CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Christopher,
What specific certifications are you considering, and why?

What are your civilian career goals?

So we better understand your career goals, can you share with us specific job-listings that interest you?

Are you familiar with the learning paths at VCTP Syracuse?
-Tom

Stephanie Arnold ⋅ Lake Odessa , MI Cargill ⋅ 10 years experience

Hi Christopher,

It sounds like you'd like to transition into a management position, correct? May I ask what your grad degree is in? My two-cents thought is that if you already possess a grad degree in the field you're trying to enter, I don't think obtaining additional grad certificates in the same area would do much in terms of your job search.

However, if your grad degree is in a completely different, non-transferable subject area, then I would say a grad certificate (from an accredited university or college!) could help tell a hiring manager that you are knowledgeable and up-to-date on the matters that are relevant to the job opening.

You'll probably hear this from others, but if you have a year of transition time on your side, definitely consider what types of networking opportunities you have. I know that term seems so overused, but it's really worth your time. One place to start is joining your local SHRM chapter - you'll be surrounded mostly by HR folks and some of the topics might be a little more HR-specific than you're personally interested in, but the flip side is that all those HR folks are the ones who are the first to know about job openings and usually the ones involved in making hiring decisions. It could be a great opportunity for you to get to know people and have your name be the first one to come to mind when they have an opening. Let me know if I can help answer other questions or otherwise support your transition!

- Stephanie

Patrick Hernandez ⋅ Dallas , TX JP Morgan Chase ⋅ 1 years experience

Personally, I am looking into obtaining my CFP. I already have an MBA. The certificate requirement is actually a requirement to sit for the CFP. I'm not sure if there are any others like that but 99% of the time the degree will give you the right to ask for a higher salary.

Henry Gorman ⋅ Orlando , FL U.S. Marine Corps, Sergeant ⋅ 9 years served

Hi Christopher,

I do not know about the business field, but in the IT field additional graduate certificate does not offer much in term of career advancement or opportunity enhancement. Since you already have Bachelor and Master degrees. I am strongly against graduate certificate because I do not see any value of it. I would recommend industrial certification, as you are currently engaging into the PMI PMP. That is the solid certification in the business. If possible go for extra miles include ITIL, Business Intelligence, Six Sigma certification. Additional college degrees do not offers more chances to the job market. I have a Bachelor, 2 Masters, and currently working toward Ph.D. I do not see my Ph.D would give me more advance in career at this point, but I plan to be independent consultant. So, it would help sometimes in the future. And I do not think my second Master would help better chance to get a job. Also take the advantage of VCTP free certification exam and skillport training.

Brian Steward ⋅ Marcus Hook , PA Boeing ⋅ 14 years experience

Hi Chris,

I've actually been working with a friend of mine who is also a MAJ and recently transitioned out of the Army. As a hiring manger I don't put much weight on a Graduate certificate to be all that honest. I myself have done the Villanova certificate programs and I haven't found they given me much of an edge in the work place. You're carrying a bachelors and master's degree, which is a great start. The value I find with the certifications is a specialization for the job you have when you transition out. For example if you worked in my group I might encourage you to do a graduate certification in business intelligence from St. Joe's University in the PHL area as it pertains to what we do and its a benefit to the organization. I hope that makes sense. Just know when I review resumes I value degree programs much more than a certification.

Tom Cal, CFA ⋅ San Francisco , CA Army Veteran, Investment Manager ⋅ 25 years experience

Christopher, It sounds like you might want to further explore career goals prior to selecting a certification path. Informational interviews are a great tool. If you need further assistance, fell free to message me directly. I'd also request advice from VCTP Syraucse. -Tom

Christopher Adams ⋅ Cache , OK U.S. Army, Major ⋅ 16 years served

I appreciate the candid and very helpful responses. My master's degree is in public administration. But as I start my research and work on developing my career goals, my primary interest lie in operations, management or project/program management. I was considering working towards PMP certification, and appreciate the PMI recommendation. Villanova was offering a project management certificate as well as an Organizational Leadership Certificate. Honestly, it comes down to the debate of valuable investment, utilization of GI Bill benefits, or better served reserving those benefits for my children's education.

Based on the responses there is PMI and SHRM Chapters in my immediate area and thinking that may be a worthwhile networking opportunity.

Tom, followed your advice and looked at VCTP. What a great resource that I have also forwarded to a couple other friends looking at transition. I have done some research on the career fields I mentioned and read some bios of different folks in those fields through Linked-In and some corporate pages. Both PMP and six sigma seem to be a trend of certifications, both of which have training available thru VCTP.

Thanks again and truly appreciate the advice and assistance!