College Graduates Can No Longer Rely on Their Degree to Accurately Signal their Qualification for a Job

By N. Falkenberg

This short read will discuss why a Master of Science in Systems Engineering at Weber State is worth the investment, that there are many educational opportunities beyond a master’s degree, and why college graduates can no longer rely on their degree to accurately signal their qualification for a job.

A survey from the Wall Street Journal in March of this year found that 56% of Americans say earning a four-year degree isn't worth the cost. Doubt is tied to student debt, the idea that tangible job skills aren't always gained during their time in college and that colleges are stuck in the past and not meeting the needs of today’s students. That doubt is compounded with a master’s degree.

Master’s degrees cost anywhere from $20k to $100k, the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ MSSE currently costs under $25k. A master’s degree allows you to further your academic studies started in your undergraduate program and electives allow for specialization. Master’s degrees also expand personal development and professional connections and improve skills such as critical thinking, analytic abilities, time management, presentation skills, and thoughtful, professional communication strategies. Weber’s faculty brings years of industry experience to the academic setting, allowing students to meet like-minded individuals, focused on becoming industry specialists.

In the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ MSSE, you will learn industry-relevant skills, today, that you can apply tomorrow. In addition to being industry relevant, you will expand your professional connections, have a leg-up in salary negotiations, better career opportunities, and more likely be recession-proof. You can do all this while
working – Weber recognizes that today’s students are navigating work, family, and friends. That’s why the 91¶ÌÊÓƵ MSSE is 100% HyFlex. HyFlex allows an individual student to choose how to attend class on any given day – online synchronously or online asynchronously. Weber is continuously upgrading and fine-tuning technology being used in the classroom to ensure opportunities for success, today and tomorrow.

A 91¶ÌÊÓƵ MSSE degree builds the foundation for professional certifications that take your skills next level. Professional certifications elevate your resume, earning potential, and demonstrate you are a lifelong learner, and invest in your education and yourself. The MSSE is created such that the content for these
certifications is built into the course. You will spend 16 weeks learning and studying the bodies of knowledge with faculty members. Quizzes and exams are delivered in similar testing environments and semester projects reflect applications of this knowledge, thus preparing you to register for the exam and
pass.

The four that are in high demand and that employers expect are the INCOSE SEP, PMI PMP, OMG SysML, and IREB Requirements. There are also others, such as PCEP Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer through the Python Institute, MATLAB Certifications through MathWorks, and R Certification thru the R Project
for Statistical Computing.

The INCOSE SEP formally recognizes your progress through your career as you develop and apply systems engineering knowledge and practices. INCOSE offers three levels of certification ASEP, CSEP, and ESEP.

The PMP through the Project Management Institute is designed by project managers for project managers. PMP certification is a globally recognized project management certification. It proves you can lead projects for any organization and in any industry.

OMG-Certified SysML Professional (OCSMP) exams objectively validate a candidate's knowledge and skills in SysML as applied to model-based systems engineering (MBSE). The examinations were designed by SysML & MBSE experts including many of whom co-authored the SysML specification.
The Requirements Certification through the International Requirements Engineering Board has lifelong validity and stands for outstanding professionalism in Requirements Engineering. It is a certificate aimed at individuals working in Requirements Engineering, Business Analysis, and Testing.

Many employers pay for the professional exam and annual fees, often give bonuses for successful completion, and view the certification as a fast track for promotions and management positions. These professional certifications allow you to become a leader and educator in the workplace; you will be the
go-to person for proficiency in your field and show your credibility as well.

Should you get certified?

  • Will it help boost your knowledge, career, and promotion path? YES
  • Does it help you develop and showcase industry skills? YES
  • Does it allow you to become a leader and educator in the systems community? YES
  • Are other professionals in your industry getting it? YES

In a world of online degrees and AI chatbots, professional certificates have become even more important to signal professional credibility. The 91¶ÌÊÓƵ MSSE is worth the investment, prepares you for professional certifications, and is built around student accessibility, opportunity, and success.