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Thread: Life Experience degree programs

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    God/dess Paris's Avatar
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    Default Life Experience degree programs

    I recently heard about this and was wondering what it is all about? Do you have to take tests or is it based on skill sets?

    I know it sounds bogus, but I've been kind of checking out job offerings out there, and unless you have a four year degree, you can forget about getting any kind of job beyond retail middle management or car sales. So I inquired about getting a "life experience" degree in liberal arts or humanities (a bogus degree even when you get it through traditional means) to have some clout when applying to more creative corporate job offerings or for sales positions.

    I could see how buying fake diplomas can be dangerous, if one intends to use them for the purposes of fraud, but I want to look for a job as a sales person or something along those lines. It's not like I'm hoping to get a degree in structural engineering or molecular biology with my "life expierence".

    Anyhow, University of Phoenix and other well known online colleges offer these "Life experience" degree programs. I was just curious if anyone else has info about these things, and what I can expect.

    I'm not going to attend a bricks and mortar school in pursuit of a degree that leaves me with the capability to land a job as a copier machine sales person. If I'm going to go through that kind of effort, I want to pursue a course of study that might actually be helpful, like nursing or engineering.

    Thanks for listening!


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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    I don't know about the University of Phoenix, but trade schools often have 'life experience' credits granted if you've been working in a particular field.

    There is also the option of challenging courses (where you just write the exam), in both trades and academic programs.

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    Featured Member snoopy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    i've heard of "life experience" contributing to earning some credits towards a degree (e.g. business experience towards business class/credits) but not full-blown (respectable) degrees.

    do you have any specific fields that you're interested in? even an associate's degree in a specific field can yield you better opportunities than a broad-spectrum liberal arts degree ime.

    on-the-job training is the best though. small businesses can offer the best opportunities for such training ime.

    experience at that level of business usually isn't available as those people gravitate to larger corps. the big corps have better perks but advancement and training are more likely in small biz as you're forced to wear more "hats". so you might want to explore small biz job opportunities as a possible training method (and get paid while you're at it).

    so in that sense, real-life experience (even some "grunt" jobs) means a lot more to me as an employer than book learning that has little application on-the-job. hth

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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    Quote Originally Posted by snoopy View Post
    so in that sense, real-life experience (even some "grunt" jobs) means a lot more to me as an employer than book learning that has little application on-the-job. hth
    Hehe. So how does one explain that to HR when mailing a resume to a p.o. box or email addy?

    To Scarlett, I found schools that will issue you a degree based solely on life experience and any credit or non credit learning throughout a person's life. So, those ballroom dancing classes I took are good towards satisfying an art credit. Managing my household finances and filing for taxes count towards math and business credits etc.


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    Veteran Member TheLioness's Avatar
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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    Quote Originally Posted by Paris View Post
    I'm not going to attend a bricks and mortar school in pursuit of a degree that leaves me with the capability to land a job as a copier machine sales person. If I'm going to go through that kind of effort, I want to pursue a course of study that might actually be helpful, like nursing or engineering.

    Ouch!!! I happen to be a copier machine sales person lol. And even though it may sound like a crap job to a lot of people, I make damn good money and pretty much get to do whatever the hell I want to do. And it's fun

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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    I too have heard of credits being given for classes based on life experiences. Military experience tranlated into a few. Leadership, Outdoor skills (Land Nav, Marksmanship, Phys Ed), see your registrar.

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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    fwiw, imo, i would think that as far as life experiences go, a degree woudl just be furthering the bullshit that you can teach them or learn them in a classroom. the best way to have/learn life experiences is to have them/experience them. that beign said, i have to wonder what a curriculum woudl entail and how BS filled it would be. maybe it wouldn't be at all, but the idea that comes into my head immediately is totally flaky.

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    God/dess Paris's Avatar
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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    Quote Originally Posted by TheLioness View Post
    Ouch!!! I happen to be a copier machine sales person lol. And even though it may sound like a crap job to a lot of people, I make damn good money and pretty much get to do whatever the hell I want to do. And it's fun
    Oh no! I wasn't criticizing the job as being a crappy one, just saying spending time learning and earning an Art History degree to just start all over again learning how to sell business machines seems like misplaced effort on the part of the career seeker and skills that would be otherwise useless to the employer.

    I know that selling is fun and profitable. I just don't see how attending college and getting a degree has anything to do with being a regional sales rep.


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    Veteran Member TheLioness's Avatar
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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    Well you're right, it really doesn't require a degree. For the record, I don't have a degree, and I think it's kind of funny (and sad) how the "fresh out of college" people never last longer than 6 months. Sales takes experience and knowing how to interact with people and knowing how to read people, a lot like stripping It seems like a lot of companies (that I come across anyway) are starting to realize this. I have been offered so many jobs from people while I've been trying to sell to them lol. I think you'll find that once you land a good sales position (especially b2b), doors will open up for you constantly, and a degree will be the least of their concerns.

    As for your original question (sorry lol) I have heard of the short term degree programs from places like University of Phoenix, etc., but I haven't heard of the life experience degree programs. I'm gonna have to look into that myself, just to have it But don't let not having a degree stand in your way. I bet that if you found a position that you were interested in, you could literally show up and talk to the decision maker and get hired.

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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    Quote Originally Posted by Paris View Post
    Oh no! I wasn't criticizing the job as being a crappy one, just saying spending time learning and earning an Art History degree to just start all over again learning how to sell business machines seems like misplaced effort on the part of the career seeker and skills that would be otherwise useless to the employer.
    Tell me about it. All I can do with my art history BA is go to grad school.



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    Featured Member snoopy's Avatar
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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    Quote Originally Posted by Paris View Post
    Hehe. So how does one explain that to HR when mailing a resume to a p.o. box or email addy?
    i think a big part of that is how you sell yourself to the prospective employer. like sarge noted, some of the skills picked up in the military can be translated into the private sector even though there's no document that shows a quantifiable ability.

    just state it outright for the employer. "you're an able leader, cool thinker, etc." being able to communicate it effectively is very key, especially when the recruiter/interviewer is seeing a LOT of resumes.

    another tip is to cheat. research the targeted company and see what specific skills they might need, e.g. if the engineering firm uses solidworks instead of autocad, list solidworks on your resume. you might have to be sneaky and do a little recon but all's fair.

    i've known people that had zero experience in whatever job they conned their way in. but then they learn the appropriate skill on that very job. the employer's expecting you to learn their way of doing things anyway, you'd just be learning completely from scratch.

    lioness's point about stripping and sales translating into other aspects/jobs is also very pertinent. i came into my work with zero sales experience and i was actually originally tapped to be only inside/operations. but as my client interaction increased i've grown into being the sales guy as well.

    just a natural progression of the talents/experiences i absorbed. like a mushroom.

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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    Quote Originally Posted by snoopy View Post

    another tip is to cheat. research the targeted company and see what specific skills they might need, e.g. if the engineering firm uses solidworks instead of autocad, list solidworks on your resume. you might have to be sneaky and do a little recon but all's fair.

    i've known people that had zero experience in whatever job they conned their way in. but then they learn the appropriate skill on that very job. the employer's expecting you to learn their way of doing things anyway, you'd just be learning completely from scratch.
    I'm taking that advice to heart. I'm excellent at spinning bullshit, and know when to shut my mouth and make it seem I know more about a subject than I actually do. Then I work on gaining the info later in case I'm called out on it.

    Thanks so much for the advice, everyone!


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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    Paris,
    You already enjoy renewable energy systems, you enjoy non fiction like no other. How about cruising down to the local Radio shack. Pick up the hobby electrical circuits kit, once you have that figured out, you can be an expert on photo voltaic systems.

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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    Problem Paris, is that schools that provide degrees on demand are generally KNOWN to do so. If you list "University of Phoenix" on your resume, most people KNOW what that means - i.e. that you don't have a degree.

    And what having a degree has to do with being a regional sales rep - it's a qualification, same as any other. That is - if they can demand people with more and higher education, they likely will.

    I wouldn't lie. Lying on your resume can ALWAYS bite you in the ass. I mean, lie if there are gaps - instead of saying that you spent 4 years dancing, feel free to say "traveling"; "looking after a sick relative" whatever - but lying substantively about your qualifications is a mistake. You can always be found out, and if, for example, you lie about a college degree and are found out 2 years later you can be fired for lying. Would they likely bother, you ask, if you are a good employee? Answer is: yes. They will. A lot of places take that kind of dishonesty very seriously. They feel that it indicates that you will lie whenever it is convenient for you.

    Just get a degree if you feel you need one (really, if it is so bogus it shouldn't be hard) or at least a diploma.
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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    Quote Originally Posted by ArmySGT. View Post
    Paris,
    You already enjoy renewable energy systems, you enjoy non fiction like no other. How about cruising down to the local Radio shack. Pick up the hobby electrical circuits kit, once you have that figured out, you can be an expert on photo voltaic systems.
    Funny you should mention that, as I was looking into applying for a job with a solar hot water company in sales and customer service! All of their people are hippy-esque and I think I can bring an element of the mainstream to their sales team. Oh, that and I know a few big name general contractors in the area who's office door is always open to me.

    One problem, though. They aren't really hiring.


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    God/dess Paris's Avatar
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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    Quote Originally Posted by Jenny View Post
    Just get a degree if you feel you need one (really, if it is so bogus it shouldn't be hard) or at least a diploma.
    I'm not saying getting an education is bogus in and of itself. I'm saying getting an education to get a job seems like a waste of $50-100K and many years of time. I know a very nice guy who has a double masters degree and is now a truck driver.

    There are plenty of careers that an advanced education is absolutely necessary; lawyers, doctors, engineers, microbiologists, anything in the medical field, research scientists, astronauts...you get the idea. I'm just frustrated that in order to be a regional sales rep for a corporation selling automotive parts the job description requires a four year degree.

    I am now and always have been of the opinion that higher education is something you do for yourself. Not a training program to move into the corporate world. The two should be separate when it comes to the majority of corporate jobs out there.

    If you wish to get a degree in Philosophy or Anthropology that is fantastic! But what does that have to do with working as the regional sales manager of Jiffy Lube? The most likely job one can expect to land with an Anthropology degree is that of professor. I don't think Citigroup is looking for anthropologist consultants to assist them, do you?


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    God/dess Jenny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    I'm not trying to derail here; my point was just that if you want to put a degree on your resume (and obviously you have reason to believe that the folk at Jiffy Lube want someone with some sort of BA or BS or BAd or B* to be managing their regions) the best way to go is to get a legitimate degree. Lying about your substantive qualifications is a mistake; they will likely know if you just got a "degree for sale".

    As for WHY they want a degree that is not specifically related to their field - I'm sure that they have their own reasons. I think it is really stupid that degrees and diplomas are required for Admin Assistants, secretaries and even receptionists. Yet - given the choice they still hire the most qualified people, and schooling is considered a qualification. Maybe they believe it shows a degree of literacy and writing ability; the wherewithal and inclination to commit to something and finish it, etc., etc. Maybe they've just noticed a strong correlation between university grads and job performance. Maybe they really think anthropological issues will come up in the job. Maybe they just don't feel like plowing through 2000 resumes, so they add a qualification to reduce to 200. I don't know - they have their reasons. Whatever they are, education is a substantive qualification (even if you think it is not a legitimate demand); you shouldn't lie about it.
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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    ^^^ Jenny is right.

    My bet is this "life experience" degree was dreamed up by a bunch of university types who knew that 99% of what they teach has been obsolete for about 50 years (especially in Business) so they created something they can make a few extra bucks by selling a worthless degree. The best "life experience" degree you can ever get is by actually going out and doing something and you don't need a degree to make that happen nor will you need one after you do.

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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    Can you network in the stripping or contracting worlds to get a job w/o a degree? I've been offered all kinds of sales jobs, from cars to boats to jacuzzi's...

    Alternatively... there's always network marketing?



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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    Yeah, I've come to the conclusion that "Life Experience" degrees are bullshit. They are commonly known by the moniker "Degree Mills" and have been around for long time.

    I don't thrive in an institutional educational environment. I guess I'll just have to prove how good my sales skills are, and just go after the job I want through the foot-in-the-door method of job hunting.

    <I'm having visions of Erin Brockovich>


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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    paris... it's never what you know. you need to network your way in with people already doing the job you want, so they know how good you are... then it's just one word to the manager and ....
    [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

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    Default Re: Life Experience degree programs

    I had a friend that was a para legal. wento to school and interned to get the job with a well to do firm. she was telling me about researching people, corporations, and such for cases. Where to go and how difficult it could be. So I turned around and pulled a book from my book shelf "The Whole Spay Catalog" by Loomplanics Press. I handed it to her. She looked at the cover and smirked, then opened it and her mouth fell open. Then her face got red and thats when she started swearing! "Where the FUCK did you get this Book! ". Seems that little gem would have saved her a lot of time and money. I gave it to her. Far as I know she uses it every day.

    Education is not always where you expect to find it.

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