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I'm trying to figure out what kind of long term plan is reasonable for me. Right now I work crazy hours (weekends/9:30-8:30). My goal is to have a job in reasonable hours (8-6ish Mon-Friday) and still match my current 50k sales salary. My problem is that I want to start at 50K. I can't afford to go somewhere and work my way up. I can continue working in sales while working on an education.
Background: I started school as a graphic design major, but quit after two years. I took whatever job I could find which was 4 years as a bank teller and 3 years as office manager doing accounting work. Three years ago I wanted to explore marketing/sales so I took a sales job. Great income, but bad hours. I picked back up recently working on a Bachelor's of Management at a small private school. I changed majors mostly because of was what available at a nearby school. I am a lead sales associate because I have a little more of a leadership role than your typical sales person, but I am not a manager. I also help with marketing about once a week. Promotion opportunities where I am are not all that promising thanks to nepotism and I would still have crazy hours even if I was.
I would assume that a master's degree may be my ticket to starting out at a 50k salary. The majors available to me nearby are - Ole Miss Professional MBA program (Online program/AACSB) or a MBA or MPA (Public Administration) at this local private school with IACBE accreditation. Another school nearby has a "Master's of Communication".
Any advice? What job could I get with one of those degrees coupled with my experience?
I'm still not sure what you want to do. Do you want to stay in sales? How would an MBA/MPA/Masters in general help you meet your goal?
An MBA will only help you if you want to get into a leadership position but want the background information. An MPA is of course similar, but really aimed at people who want to be mid-level managers in a local or state government (mostly).
Do you want to go back to designing? stay in sales? I think the MA in Communication looks promising.
I am asking what degree would do me the most good to land a mon-friday job making 50k considering my experience.
I like the idea of a government or school job, but I am afraid I would be looked at like an entry level applicant because I do not have experience at schools or in government. Is that true? I would be very happy with a leadership position, but I doubted anyone would hire me as a leader with a degree and no management experience.
I like the idea of staying around marketing/design, but I do not think that graphic design jobs will pay well. I just can't find an ms in marketing offered anywhere local. Would the MA in Communication give me the best chance since I do have some marketing/design experience? I googled the Communication degree and came back with some negative remarks.
I think having a good, solid path of where you want your career to go should be the first step before matriculating into a post-graduate program. "Wanting to make more money" is a good reason, but not a path or goal.
Again, I think the the MA in Communications is the most open, but many people do see it as 'fluff' as it isn't a hard science. Then again, MBAs and MPAs aren't really seen as challenging either.
If your assumption is that a master's will start you out in the 50k range, I think your assumption is flawed. I think you are correct in that you will be looked at as an entry level applicant, because that is what you are. In my experience, your experience plus the degree equals an entry level professional position that will pay 24k-36k per year, depending on position and employer (governmemnt, non-profit, for-profit, educational institution, etc.). Are there any "normal" hour sales jobs you can try to move into?
I don't know about MBAs or Masters of Communication but I have an MPA and me many of my classmates got entry level jobs making 40-60k. From what I know from applying for jobs and what my friends make, State govs will pay in the 40s, Federal gov in the high 40s to low 50s and private sector (ie, consulting) in the high 50s to low 60s. I think local gov and non-profit sector pay much less for entry level. I had one classmate who got an online MBA before coming to our program. He said it was useless. The only thing about going back to school now is that it might be hard to find a job once you graduate. Those of us who landed jobs are doing well but I have a couple of classmates who are still looking for stable positions 2 years after graduating.
I don't know about MBAs or Masters of Communication but I have an MPA and me many of my classmates got entry level jobs making 40-60k. From what I know from applying for jobs and what my friends make, State govs will pay in the 40s, Federal gov in the high 40s to low 50s and private sector (ie, consulting) in the high 50s to low 60s. I think local gov and non-profit sector pay much less for entry level. I had one classmate who got an online MBA before coming to our program. He said it was useless. The only thing about going back to school now is that it might be hard to find a job once you graduate. Those of us who landed jobs are doing well but I have a couple of classmates who are still looking for stable positions 2 years after graduating.
My experience is with local government and non-profits, so that explains the lower salaries I am familiar with.
If you go for an MBA I would be very cautious about what school you attend. I wouldn't spend the cash on any school that was not AACSB accredited. I also firmly believe that the caliber of the school plays a significant role based on the types of opportunities you are would be able to attain.
A good MBA program is difficult. I find it more difficult than the Masters in Information Systems Management that I currently hold.
If you are not looking at wanting to do something in leadership with a quantitative focus... i wouldn't really go for an MBA.
... My goal is to have a job in reasonable hours (8-6ish Mon-Friday) and still match my current 50k sales salary...
Move to Silicon Valley & become an administrative assistant. You'll work about 8 to 5, sometimes to 6, and starting AAs earn north of $50K. The very top executive assistants earn much more than double that. A TA will earn triple.
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