SusanStrayer.com

Under a Rock, Getting a Degree

I promise I haven't been hiding under a rock. This MBA thing can completely overwhelm your life! But the goal of better understanding business in combination with my many years of HR experience has been achieved: I can better serve business professionals and help them address their career issues, job search needs and recruiting quandaries.

For me, graduate school has had a very particular purpose. I waited to get my MBA until later in my career and made sure every class, project and paper correlated with why I am here. But not everyone with graduate school aspirations has that same vision. And in a recent transcript of a Washington Post online disucssion, a Kaplan prep executive discussed why, how and when to choose graduate school.

The thing is, it isn't about whether you can get into a school, where you should go or is the timing right. First and foremost you want to ask yourself: "Why do I want to further my education?"

Spring and summer are both seasons of restlessness. Professionals start to think about their career goals and where a graduate degree might fit in. If this is you, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

~ Why do I want the degree?
Really, why do you want it? You better have a good, detailed answer before moving further.

~ Do I need the degree?
Is this a whim, or will the degree help advacne your career? Make sure you can specifically articulate how.

~ Do i have a specific interest or do I just like the idea of having a graduate degree?
Even with a law (JD) or business degree (MBA) you still want to have a specific interest of what you want to do with the degree. Without it, you won't even make it through the application process.

~ Do I want to be a subject matter expert or manager?
This will help you determine whether you want a general degree like an MBA or a more specific degree like an MSF (Master of Science in Finance).

~ Do you have the credentials required for admission?
If your heart is set on going to Harvard but your GPA says otherwise, do your resarch first to find out if it's even worth your time. There are always options regardless of your background, it just may not be the school your heart is set on.

~ Can you afford it?
Scholarships and loans are always an option, but you've got to have a financial plan in place and know how you'll pay for tuition, books, and living expenses. It's tough, yes, but completely doable if you know the degree is worth it.

More detail on the answers to these questions and how to do your research can be found in The Right Job, Right Now. But start by asking yourself these questions. Make sure if you're investing the time and money in a graduate degree, you're confident it's the best next step for you. Now is not a time to make a whim-based decision.

Experience.com provides information on entry level jobs and internships.

Virginia Tech: Hits Home

You may not know I graduated from Virginia Tech almost ten years ago and I have been back every year since. I have two cousins on campus who are safe, but my prayers and thoughts go out to an entire community and town that will be forever changed. The students though are banding together in a spirit I always knew was at the heart of Virginia Tech. I am so happy to report that this feeling of support and pride is keeping the community unified and focused on healing.

No matter what comes out of this tragedy, I believe the spririt of Virginia Tech is best represented by the spirit I always recall (this is me just a few months ago). Pride, unity and support--no matter what the occasion.

If you wish to contribute to a university sponsored Memorial Fund, please visit: http://www.vt.edu/tragedy/memorial_fund.php.

The Salary Gender Disparity is Back

Vanderbilt researchers have uncovered new evidence in the debate about salaries versus gender. Men are still making more than women. but why?

Research by Professor of Law and Economics Joni Hersch has found that even when considering characteristics that might affect wages, such as choices over household and child-related responsibilities, market characteristics, working conditions, occupational segregation (if the field is dominated by one sex or the other), experience and job turnover rates, sex discrimination remains a strong explanation for the gender pay gap.

“If the unexplained pay disparity sometimes favored women and sometimes favored men, there would be no reason for concern,” Hersch said. “But systematically and without exception, finding that women earn less than men raises some questions.”

Hersch’s research found that there is little difference between men and women in terms of how long they stay in a job. “Although women quit more often for family-related reasons, men quit more often to move to another job,” Hersch said.

Why is this still an argument so may years after the Equal Pay Act? Companies usually do systemic salary surveys and banding to determine jobs. Thus, the issue has to be deeper than we imagined. Either companies are still subconsciously treating women differently, or there are different performance measures and rewards. You decide.

Older Workers Out Of Luck?

I'm so lucky that I get so many great emails from readers who want some personal advice---and between watching Oprah and eating cake I try to answer a few. (Okay, between inappropriate amounts of coffee and running out the door to meetings). I do try to answer as many as I can, but sometimes, there are questions that are really applicable to the masses.

A few posts ago, I wrote about the plight of older workers trying to get back in the workforce and some great web resources such as Jobs 4.0 and AARP.

But what about older workers that want to make a career change?

"I am an older worker and am interested in a lateral move but may not have the requisite background in all aspects of the new position. How should I proceed?"

1. Be willing to take a step back
If your last post was a VP or Director role, remember that making a change may mean taking a step back. In order to make a lateral move, you may have to step back before you can step forward. Until you accept this, you may be searching for a role in vein. Be sure to also indicate to an employer that you're looking for the next step in your career--and you're open to stepping in many directions. Your openness and honesty (no begging please) will go along way.

2. Consider going back to school
If you don't have the skills needed for a position--go learn them! Many communities offer senior citizens or residents the chance to go back to school. Whether it is your local university, community college or community center, take the time to investgate your options. You may even be able to audit college classes for free. Time limited? Try nights, weekends, or even tap your children or neighbors for help.

3. Ask for a try-out
It may sound a little too college junior for you, but you've got nothing to lose by asking an employer to "try you on for size." This doesn't mean taking on an intern title (though that's not a bad idea), but asking them if you can work on a project for free or on contract. You learn extra skills and they'll get some free or cheap labor. Plus, you can remind them that older workers are more reliable, patient and mature.

4. Be kind to the next generation
I can only imagine how hard it is to report to or work for someone 20 or 30 years your junior. But look at from a positive perspective--younger workers may be able to teach you the latest technology or practices and in turn, they can definitely learn from you. If you're bitter or look down upon them, you'll only worsen your case.

5. Ask the employer
At the end of the day, only an employer can tell you why you weren't hired or what you're missing. If you really want to know, ask. Try informal networking meetings, or finding contacts that already work there to determine what they think your gaps are and their advice for how you'll fill them.

It's really all in the attitude. If you're really at a loss, think back to an earlier time when you were really excited to learn something new or turn over a new leaf. Try to reinvigorate that attitude and that excitement where you know it's going to be hard but all worth it in the end.