Advice needed: The Paper Chase...

[JWNY]

Guys, ladies...

I followed a friend, who confessed recently that he wanted to upgrade his academic merits. Since polytechnic, he had survived on his diploma till now...almost mid 30s.

He wanted some "support" recently, so i echoed behind him at a school's open house for prospective clients who would want to enrol in their courses.

At the education centre, we were seated amongst those who were enrolling for a degree. I already have a BA and explained i wanted to take another degree...interestingly, my friend was given the opportunity to take a Masters instead of a degree...which seems good of course, as he skips the degree.

My questions are,

do companies or HR depts deem it as acceptable?

should he take the degree FIRST, then proceed to Masters? (my friend was "assured" that with his working experience, he was "qualified" enough to skip the Masters.

I am a little skeptical though...which paper should he rightfully pursue?

Ideally, my friend is of course keen on the Masters directly, he's worried that w/o a degree...his academic portfolio may be "incomplete"

kindly advise guys...

JWNY

 

[yinyang]

Best is school of life, hard knocks and all. :p

Okie, to the floor for more valued comments:p

 

[silverfox@]

Best is school of life, hard knocks and all. :p

Okie, to the floor for more valued comments:p

school of life is good. even though i also advise school of life, but the in many corporate companies, MNC, private sector, they still need the minimum requirements.

Example 2 staff in company. 1 has worked 10 years with a normal degree. The other worked 5 years has a master and more papers with him. if both people have the same capability, the one who has more qualifications climbs faster.

in reality, age is a factor to consider too. not too old then get all these qualifications, because you would be further behind the pecking queue if not already behind due to the number of years needed to take the paper.

Furthermore, many people who has a degree these days don't even maximise the use of their degrees. though i agree studying is for knowledge, but when you ask these people, most of them tell you, i forgotten what i studied.:p

 

[scroobal]

Guys, ladies...

Ideally, my friend is of course keen on the Masters directly, he's worried that w/o a degree...his academic portfolio may be "incomplete"

kindly advise guys...
JWNY

As long as Masters comes from a recognised accredited university it will be readily accepted. Do be aware that some courses even from an accredited university are not recognised but these are usually rare, do check.

Nowdays, due to huge number of people with formal qualifications, HR finds easier to cull the apps but picking the higher qualifications. However if the position tends to be a specialist, past experience with a leader in the industry or an MNC will always stand out.

 

[ahbengsong]

There is no short cut to a Masters... your friend should get his basic degree first.. then the Masters... and do get something practical like accountancy or business laws....

 

[Leongsam]

s

Example 2 staff in company. 1 has worked 10 years with a normal degree. The other worked 5 years has a master and more papers with him. if both people have the same capability, the one who has more qualifications climbs faster.

.:p

That was not the case in American MNCs during my time. Qualifications got you in the door but once you were on the job, performance (or perception of performance) counted more than anything else.

 

[silverfox@]

That was not the case in American MNCs during my time. Qualifications got you in the door but once you were on the job, performance (or perception of performance) counted more than anything else.

if you read what i quoted earlier, if both have the same capabilities, then it boils down to qualifications:p

anyway in most companies around the world, there is another thing called "curry favour". You must be able to cook this curry well. This curry if cooked well, even qualifications also have to put 1 side as your superior will give you a better appraisal when going for promotions. if that performer don't know cook curry, and even if good performance but not in good books of his immediate superiors, then all the performance, qualifications also no use. This is universal.

 

[Leongsam]

if you read what i quoted earlier, if both have the same capabilities, then it boils down to qualifications:p

There will never be a case where two employees are assessed as having the same capabilities.

 

[zack123]

There will never be a case where two employees are assessed as having the same capabilities.

For appraisals..

1) Your performance
2) Are you in boss good books

So just do your job and suck up to your boss and you'll do well. Sometimes even if you falter, those panderous ones often has the edge over others during promotion exercise. Trust me. I am doing the appraisal.

 

[ahbengsong]

For appraisals..

1) Your performance
2) Are you in boss good books

So just do your job and suck up to your boss and you'll do well. Sometimes even if you falter, those panderous ones often has the edge over others during promotion exercise. Trust me. I am doing the appraisal.

Good bosses know how to keep the good ones and eliminate the bad ones... bosses who live on curry flavoring are killing the company...

 

[JWNY]

anyone else want to give their 2 cents? would like to hear from people related to HR, need their perspectives

JWNY

 

[shOUTloud]

If I see a Masters without a basic degree, I would immediately put a * and a # next to the application. If I am interested to interview the guy, I will definitely scrutinise the Masters degree.

So your friend should make sure the Masters is a proper one.

But I do question how someone who did not do a Bachelor's degree can finish a Masters. It is not an issue of whether the person is good at his work etc. Studies for a Masters should involve a lot of academic rigours. Those who had not gone through a basic degree will find Masters daunting.

 

[eeoror88]

My friend has an MBA but now driving taxi !!!

 

[AhBeng]

My friend has an MBA but now driving taxi !!!

That is called entrepeneurship......with an MBA....cash is king....I salute him.....

 

[pia]

.. bosses who live on curry flavoring are killing the company...

Guess it's a 2-way street. There are IQ-smart but EQ-stupid subordinates who really don't give their bosses due respect. He may have his point, but the boss may have other considerations. The good one manages his boss and tries to understand his boss' situation and come to an acceptable compromise. The bad one goes away thinking he's right and the boss's a goon.

Given a smart chap who doesn't listen to me, versus a less-smart (but not entirely bodoh) one who can take my instruction, I'll take the latter. I'll complement his weakness anytime.

As for paper chase, arm yourself with a basic, e.g. diploma or degree, the rest, as bros have pointed out, is your ability to acquire the post-grad papers in the U of Life

 

[madmansg]

that time I do my masters by compiling all my postings on sammoboy forums for the past ten years and they give me MBA + Masters + PhD right away.

 

[eeoror88]

that time I do my masters by compiling all my postings on sammoboy forums for the past ten years and they give me MBA + Masters + PhD right away.

Well done boy, I give you my banana !!

 

[middaydog]

My friend has an MBA but now driving taxi !!!

In India or philippines ?

 

[zack123]

Does it make a difference if he drives a cab in the Philippines or India. With an MBA he should at least be driven by a cabby.