General bachelors degree vs. a specific certification?

Career Opportunities & Internships
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<p>Something I have been hearing from many bachelors and master degree graduates, more specifically in general science fields, is that the jobs to get with these degrees are more geared towards graduates with specific certification to the job vs. general broad education.</p>

<p>I have been considering getting some certification for some time now but there are a few issues that prevent me from going down either road. For one. With certification, the job potential may be higher, but there is a lower range of job possibilities. You are specifically geared for one job with little flexibility to switch over to other careers with wanted or needed be.</p>

<p>Going the degree route is the opposite however the pros of getting a degree is that you are trained to many things vs. being just trained to do one specific tasks, which means if you need a few credits to obtain certification here or there, switching over is easier to do vs having a certification.</p>

<p>Both options have their pros and their cons. I guess at the end of the day it all comes down to your personal preference. With a degree it is still possible to go back for a certification, and it may be easier this route to get multiple certifications with a degree then without one. At the same time, with a certification, it still may be possible to go back and get your degree and it may be easier to do that as well.</p>

<p>Again it comes down to preference. Which do you prefer? To be a well paid, in demand, job secure 1 trick certification pony, or to be something of a low job secured, low paid jack of all trades with a degree, more or less with both.
Unless someone knows a way around either so that either a degree or certification is tailored to his own preferences, I think it seems to come down to these two options.</p>

<p>Personally for me, I rather be low paid, and insecure with my job possibilities, but trained for a broad range, then to be stuck for possibly the rest of my life running on the same wheel. But of course thats just me. If I had the time and money on the other hand I would have hundreds of certifications and 0-1 degrees.</p>

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<p>One option is to get the certification first since they tend to be a short term programs, then get a job. As you’re working and earning presumably higher pay, go back to school part-time to earn your bachelors degree. This seems to be a good option because 1) I assume you want a certification so you can work in a particular field for a few years but then want the option/ability to change fields and 2) your interests may change over time and doing the bachelors degree part-time gives you the time to change majors and explore all options as your career progresses.</p>

<p>However, I do not think that you are stuck in one field with a certification. You can educate yourself on topics of interest, network as you build your career, and make lateral moves without necessarily getting a degree. Networking becomes important at that point, as laterals moves into different departments are easier when someone is recommending you and can speak to your abilities. You do not need a bachelors degree to learn how to communicate well, to read reports, etc. You just need to have the interest and initiative to learn on your own and to find mentors willing to guide you.</p>

<p>…unless of course you’re looking at a very technical field such as computer science or engineering. But if that’s the case then it would be worthwhile to enter the bachelors degree program first since these are both fields that would pay someone with a degree much more than someone with just a certification.</p>

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<p>In my opinion one should first go for Bachelors degree and then after completing should go for some specialization.</p>