| Topic Name: |
Graduate Certificates |
| Message Name: |
Getting into the pack |
| Date Posted: |
12/15/2004 |
| In Reply To: |
I am looking to make a career change. I finished my MBA in marketing in 01, and was laid off at the end of that year. Since then I have had several crummy jobs. I am now looking to return to school to work towards a graduate certificate in a financial services field. looking to do it at either fordham or nyu. are these programs useful in helping people make career transtions in anyone's opinion? your advice is appreciated.
also, if anyone has taken classes in these certificate programs your feedback would be appreciated. thx |
| Message: |
My personal experience with a grad certificate was very positive. I had 14 years of financial services experience, an MBA in Finance, and then a Master in Clinical Social Work. I really wanted to enter the field of organization development and executive coaching.
I attended a local university's certificate in OD (basically 1/2 of an MS). The faculty were primarily OD practitioners and very networked professionals.
The Dean of the program became an advisor to me on a special seminar class I took. Through his exposure to me, I have received introductions to clients who solicited this school for consulting referrals. I also network now with some of the faculty that were once my teachers.
One of my classmates was a woman with a JD, who landed a full-time position in OD with a major financial services organization and through her I landed a 8 month consulting engagement. We were both in the same boat, strong professional histories with an OD cert, and a strong bond was formed through classes.
My point is, it can only open doors. Already having an MBA and supplementing with additional education worked well for me and my guess is you will have the same experience. You may not gain a great deal of additional knowledge, but you will learn the industry "vernacular" and meet people, both peers, and faculty, that may help you out in the future.
Hope that helps. Happy Holidays.
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