How to Choose Between a Certification and Degree

As a veteran, while I was active duty I had a hard time deciding where to focus my efforts to make myself competitive for a job after the service. I wanted to prepare for my future both in the military and as a civilian.

In the last couple years and following months leading up to transition, I was constantly debating the desire and effort to get either a master’s degree or get a professional certification.  The difficulty I found was not that I wanted one or the other but that I was unsure what I wanted to do after transition and I wasn’t sure what would help me the most. I considered an MBA, MS in logistics or MS in Supply Chain Management, MA in operations or management etc. Then there was the factor of time available and time until I transitioned; neither of which I had a lot of.

When I talked to a mentor of mine I was advised to pursue the certifications rather than education. This surprised me, but it was good advice for my situation.   

Here were some factors I was dealing with:

1. I had a defined timeline. (less than 2 years)
2. I wanted the best value for my effort and money with versatility. (I wanted to save my GI Bill for my kids)
3. I didn’t yet know what I wanted to do for a career with enough specificity to invest in a master’s degree.
4. I needed something to help me get a job/make me competitive in the job market and also demonstrate my skills to an employer.

For me the choice to pursue certifications was better than to pursue a masters and has been huge for me since I left active duty. This isn’t to say that certification is better than a Masters, but I think this is an overlooked opportunity for active duty before and during transition.

As I have coached individuals through this question over the past two years I start with a simple process.

1. What field do you want to go into and what role do you want to have? *If you are unsure then look at a job posting to see what qualifications are required.

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Ask the Right Questions

Knowing the type of industry and what position/type of work a person wants to hold/do helps frame and shape what qualifications, certifications, and education might be beneficial. Certain industries value certifications more than formal education. Things like IT/Software development tend to value certifications more (Security Plus, C++, ITIL, ACP, SCRUM). Areas like finance and business value more formal programs like MBA.  Engineering and construction look for both (BS/MS degree and PE/PMP).

1. What is your timeline? Various education programs have very different timelines to obtain. Masters programs usually take about 2 years. Certifications are usually less depending on if there is a project associated or not.
2. What is your budget? Formal education programs are typically much more expensive than certification programs. 

As I began to look at the qualifications listed on jobs I was interested in two certifications stood out. Lean six sigma and PMP. Both of these I was able to earn and have funded by the military.

So what do you choose? Here are some pros and cons to each. 

Certifications

Pros:

• Affordability
• Quick Timeline to obtain
• Both narrow and broad application depending on which certification
• Quicker return on investment
• Often demonstrate education and experience
• Cost may be reimbursed or covered by employer or military unit.

Cons:

• Often Industry specific
• Many require experience in a field (PE, PMP)
• Not all instructional programs are quality (Flooded market)
• Often require re-certification/maintenance

Formal Degree (Bachelors/Master’s)

Pros:

• Often Required for upper movement in a corporation
• Broad acceptance and application
• More in depth learning and education
• Costs may be reimbursed
• No re-certification

Cons:

• Long time to obtain
• High costs
• May be industry specific

The choice is not always easy but hopefully this provides some insights that have not previously been considered and a way to approach this decision. 

I can tell you that for me my PMP certificate and the training I received was invaluable.  I have used the training in my role as a Project Manager in a heavy rigging company and how as a consultant with a DOD firm.  The best thing was that my military unit funded it as well as my lean six sigma certification. 

Josh Atkinson is an 11-year USMC Veteran who is now putting his military experience to work as a logistics advisor.

Josh is passionate about helping veterans in transition and would love to help if anyone has any questions. You can reach him at [email protected] or [email protected]

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