When you first enter a job, does your education help or do you just learn hands-on?

[7jai]

I actually didn't know how to title this thread, so bear with the title for now :)

So lets say you are hired as a business analyst, financial analyst or some fancy titled position. Do you usually learn how to do your job by learning through the company by practice, or do you use more of your education to help you?

I just feel that everytime I enter to a new job, my similar education background doesnt help as much. But rather I just have to be shown the ropes and thru practice at that company, I will be succesful.

What do you guys think?

[rdtx2002]

you learn on the job

[rfdrfd]

Speaking on when you first enter a job, yes, hands-on would most likely be the main part.

However, education is what got you the job in the first place. If you didn't have University degree, you'd probably be passed over for someone who did.

Also, later when you have been in there for a few years, if you wish to get promoted, you need a good education/degree. It would be that much easier to get promoted if you have a Masters degree, MBA, even PhD.

If a Director doesn't even have MBA, it doesn't look very good at all.

[nalababe]

Speaking on when you first enter a job, yes, hands-on would most likely be the main part.

However, education is what got you the job in the first place. If you didn't have University degree, you'd probably be passed over for someone who did.

Also, later when you have been in there for a few years, if you wish to get promoted, you need a good education/degree. It would be that much easier to get promoted if you have a Masters degree, MBA, even PhD.

If a Director doesn't even have MBA, it doesn't look very good at all.

I'll disagree on the last point.

Take one look at my former employer (Bayer Canada). The head of the Canada (1 billion in sales) does not have a Ph.D. or MBA and is one of the most respected in the field.

I have also found that most of upper management on the European side rarely have MBA's. A few Ph.Ds or MD's...but not many MBAs.

[MS_Project]

I actually didn't know how to title this thread, so bear with the title for now :)

So lets say you are hired as a business analyst, financial analyst or some fancy titled position. Do you usually learn how to do your job by learning through the company by practice, or do you use more of your education to help you?

I just feel that everytime I enter to a new job, my similar education background doesnt help as much. But rather I just have to be shown the ropes and thru practice at that company, I will be succesful.

What do you guys think?

Same as you.
Even a simple job like working at a supermarket require basic skills although its an easy job. For example, they would train me FIFO, techniques to organize the dispaly case, techniques to handle customer complaints, etc. Sometimes with common sense or education will not do the trick.

Experience is definetely important. The more things you do in a job, the better you'll get!

To answer your question, education doesn't really help me in my field. When I did an internship at a company, I was using maybe 30% of my knowledge from school . The 70% I have to learn at work. For example, in school you never touched or experienced their Siebel system. You'll have to try and learn the features at work. I guess it really depends on the type of job you have.

[Dragon120]

Speaking on when you first enter a job, yes, hands-on would most likely be the main part.

However, education is what got you the job in the first place. If you didn't have University degree, you'd probably be passed over for someone who did.

Also, later when you have been in there for a few years, if you wish to get promoted, you need a good education/degree. It would be that much easier to get promoted if you have a Masters degree, MBA, even PhD.

If a Director doesn't even have MBA, it doesn't look very good at all.

I couldn't disagree with you more on this:

- your promotion is based on your performance (primary) and what you've accomplished in your role. What projects have you completed? What was your performance scorecard? How did you add value to your future role?

Education is important but not as important as you think...this is coming from someone who IS ACTUALLY working in the respective field and not based on assumptions ;)

Promotion is earned (in certain companies) or if you have a good network. If someone who can't deliver the end-result (regardless of whether, they're an MBA or otherwise), you think they are still capable of keeping their job?

Also, lots of Directors (and even VPs) I know don't have MBAs (or other accredations) but when they speak, the CEO and/or CFO listen. They provide you with the business knowledge that books can't teach you.