Grad School?

[Britni Shields]

With the economy being in the state it's in right now, a lot of college grads are skipping the job hunt for grad school. Do you think that getting that extra degree in sports management/marketing/etc is worth the extra work?

If YOU are one of the ones in the sports marketing field who went to grad school, where did you go? What were your experiences?

[Keith Collins]

While I haven't attended graduate school, I would say that earning a master's degree can help in the career search but is no guarantee for anything. I have seen a few "degree junkies" with no relevant experience have just as much trouble as those without a master's. In my opinion, it all is subjective. For higher education sporting positions, there definitely is a preference for master's degrees.However, I have noticed that positions outside the collegiate field encourage a bachelor's in a related field or just a combination of relevant, transferrable experience. No one will frown upon anyone pursuing a higher education with today's economic climate. The important thing to do is find ways to stay relevant in your field and get involved in any capacity possible.


On another note, I also know of hiring managers who will eliminate candidates from consideration based on their amount of relevant work experience removed from school. Again, it all is subjective. Sorry if this is too off topic.

[ArLena Richardson The ePublicist]

Greetings with Inspiration.
I have been a sports publicist, since 1990.
However, I have returned to school to earn a MBA in Information Management and Technology.
My passion is to combine my passion for sports and technology as a sports new media consultant.
I currently attend Western International University online.
I highly encourage sports industry professionals to acquire graduate level credentials online, as quickly as possible.
The urgency is funding. The funding is readily available right now. However, as distance learning becomes
more of a norm than an exception it will become harder to acquire financial aid.
My ulitmate ambition is to become an online professor for a pretigious university.
Seize the moment as we are moving into an era of knowledge instead of mere information.
Ar Lena

[Lindsey Townson]

I don't graduate undergrad until May but a lot of my professors have been telling me the extra degree is totally worth it. They've told me because so many people are going back to school due to the economy, you'll want the credentials and any experience that may come with your courses.

[Bob Gaudreau]

Britni:

Great question and great advice from everyone to date! Thankfully I went back to school to get my MBA but only after raising my children, now all (5) college grads, but the reason was for personal achievement, not the expectation of receiving a better job offer or more money! In fact after being let go 7 years ago by my employer at the time, I was making a nice 6 Figure income, I decided to put my MBA to work for myself and opened my own Sports Marketing company! I can now look back and reap the rewards of my early indoctrination into Sports Marketing, specializing in Fund Raising! Education is a LIFE LEARNING thing, always good for you, but the real question remains: LEARNING ON THE JOB OR TAKING MORE CLASSES?

If you decide to go back to school, then find an Internship (possibly Non-Paid) with a local Sports Organization and ask to work with the Sports Marketing people! We have a performance based compensation program for Interns should you have an interest...the worst you can do is put your time with us to good use by adding it to your profile in the future and I will will also mentor you personally and provide a reference when you complete our Interniship!

Bob