General Discussion

haele

(14,950 posts)

40. General studies - :). I needed a BS degree to advance in my job.

Tue Nov 25, 2025, 04:39 PM

Nov 25

20 years in the Navy (retired Chief), 30 years of work experience, and the equivalent knowledge of a PE in RF and Networking, but needed a degree to step from topped out Senior Technician to Systems Engineer/Manager.
So, I spent $45k on a BS in Business (IT Program Management), with my Navy schooling and actual work experience cutting about 2 years (~90 credits) of classes off the total 4 year if full time program. 3 to 4 hours of in person class a week, 2 - 3 hours of homework, no weeks off for 3 years...

Easiest degree to get while working full time and raising a family.

And it ended up getting me an immediate promotion with a pay increase of around $20k a year and a lot of ceiling left for more advancement and raises.

About $30k of it was Federal Loans, totaling at around $51k to pay off over 10 years. Two more years to go...sigh.

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Iris

42 replies

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Highlight:

"Earnings Test" could wipe out entire fields including teaching, counseling, social work, & journalism [View all] Nevilledog Nov 23 OP

How would an "earnings test" wipe out entire professions? sop Nov 23 #1

It's in the video synni Nov 23 #2

The earnings test in the "BBBs " is that if.... haele Nov 23 #4

Thanks sop Nov 23 #5

After looking at AI definition of "earnings test," if a student I'd like to know what programs Silent Type Nov 23 #3

Seems reasonable if the intent is to not burden students with loans that they can't pay back MichMan Nov 23 #6

You think that's their intent? Wiz Imp Nov 23 #10

When is anything with this administration "in plain sight"? slightlv Nov 23 #12

That was my first thought when I first heard about this. Biophilic Nov 23 #19

I agree with you, slightly. Diamond_Dog Nov 23 #29

Interestingly, a good share of these professionals are mandatory reporters. AllyCat Nov 23 #14

Exactly right Cirsium Nov 23 #21

I wish you were kidding Cirsium Nov 23 #20

Unrec iemanja Nov 23 #23

You might be right MichMan Nov 23 #26

They pay it back. iemanja Nov 23 #28

I don't see nursing mentioned at all in the OP MichMan Nov 23 #30

It was covered in another OP iemanja Nov 23 #31

My reply to the OP was in regard to the OP, not some other post MichMan Nov 23 #32

That was an Onion satire piece. Believable, but luckily not real. nt SomewhereInTheMiddle Nov 25 #37

CBS news is reporting it iemanja Nov 26 #41

Thanks. I had not seen that. SomewhereInTheMiddle Nov 26 #42

It makes sense to me if these degrees are failing to payoff of loans. Melon Nov 24 #35

The issue is the timeframe... Prairie Gates Nov 23 #7

This! jmbar2 Nov 23 #9

Nursing is an interesting example. markodochartaigh Nov 23 #17

I know a career nurse who was well-employed with an AA jmbar2 Nov 23 #22

I have an associate's in nursing. markodochartaigh Nov 23 #27

Any field that is traditionally female. KentuckyWoman Nov 23 #8

Oh yeah Starbeach Nov 23 #11

This NotHardly Nov 23 #16

Are they planning to also pay men enough to support a family on one income? 🤨 ShazzieB Nov 23 #25

Many Women Have Neither Husbands Nor Families. N/T. ColoringFool Nov 23 #34

Very true. ShazzieB Nov 25 #36

Typical of the far right, and of bankers Warpy Nov 23 #13

if job training and income are the main criteria... mike_c Nov 23 #15

Isn't this particular policy related to graduate programs? Iris Nov 23 #24

Four to Six year programs. My four year bachelor program was not graduate, but it would be cut. haele Nov 25 #38

What was your undergrad in? Iris Nov 25 #39

General studies - :). I needed a BS degree to advance in my job. haele Nov 25 #40

The end of equal opportunity Puppyjive Nov 23 #18

Absolutely idiotic Joinfortmill Nov 23 #33