Was Getting a Master’s Degree Worth It?

Somewhere along the way in my policing journey, I felt like I had reached a point of stagnation. I wasn’t moving anywhere. I was stuck in patrol, pushing a black and white, working the night shift while others were promoting and obtaining specialty positions. I felt like maybe I needed something to set me apart from others, and I considered a master’s program to obtain an education that would be useful in a government job.

When I started looking through the various programs, I became excited. It was a new opportunity on the horizon. It felt invigorating to think of going back to school, learning new skills, and providing myself a better chance of advancement in the future.

I settled on the master’s in public administration (MPA) program at the local university in my town. It had a great reputation and would be easily accessible from work. I knew that other city employees had gone to class during the workday as it was a method of professional development. I figured it would be easy enough to blend into that structure and make it work around my schedule.

Game. Set. Match. It was decided. I was going back to school, and I was getting my master’s degree. I got together all my requisite materials, thankfully my GRE was still good from when I took it as I was preparing to graduate from my undergraduate program. Thankful to not have to take that dreadful exam again, I prepared my letters of recommendation and my letter of intent. I felt like the world was opening a door, and I was ready to jump through it.

Thankfully, the university accepted me into the program. I was to start in the fall, and I felt like I had achieved something already. I got the certificate of acceptance, I called my folks, and I started looking online to choose my classes. I couldn’t wait to get started.

On the first day of class, I was working the day shift. I had brought my books and my backpack to shift. I was ready to attend my first in-person class since three years before. I was a bit of a peculiar child as I always enjoyed going back to school. This day was no different. I made sure I had plenty of time to get over to campus, and then I stopped by the PD to confirm with the command staff that I would be out the last couple of hours of shift as I’d be in my class that was going to help me get promoted.

I walked in confident. I had done my homework. I had already discussed the option with my sergeant, and this was just a formality to ensure that they knew where I was given that it was the first day. I casually strode into my sergeant’s office. I let him know I was heading over to campus for my first class.

After a brief check with the Lieutenant, he came back and expressed his disappointment as he informed me that I would have to put in leave for the time I was in class. Despite being on campus and doing something that would further my professional development, the decision was made that if I wanted to be in school, I’d have to do it on my own time.

I had class twice a week for two-hour blocks. I was only starting with one class for the first semester. I wasn’t sure I would be able to handle more given my work schedule. I was never going to be able to take a vacation again if I had to put in PTO for 4 hours a week for the next several years to complete this program.

I pled my case to see if there was any flexibility in the decision. There was not. I tucked my tail between my legs, put in my time, and left for campus, a bit confused as to what the future would hold for my graduate degree intentions. Arriving at the classroom was a bit of a weird feeling. I walked through the door in full uniform but was not even technically still on the clock. I might as well have been dressed in a Halloween costume as everyone gawked at my appearance and questioned my presence as I found my seat.

The first day of class went well. I had a sense of nostalgia walking into the classroom for the first time in so long. After finding my seat, I settled in for the time block and met my classmates as they came in. We spent time having group discussions and identifying the projects that we would be asked to complete this semester. It was a unique experience, but the subject matter was interesting and the experience was worthwhile.

I completed the course with a high A, but I realized I was at a crossroads. I couldn’t continue the program with the current structure. Burning my PTO every time I had to go to class and not being able to take much time off for the next few years just didn’t seem feasible. The option of taking more than one class with my work schedule, night shifts, and overtime seemed out of the question.

At least for the time being, my educational pursuit was over as quickly as it began. I told myself I’d think on it and maybe be able to find my way into a position that would be more accommodating for attending class. I went back to work. I kept my nose to the grindstone, and I didn’t go back for five years.

In 2021, I had left policing behind in the spring. I found a job working in public safety technology, in the smartphone app space. I was learning the trade of account management and drowning in everyone’s problems every day. It was a major adjustment, but I was trying to find my footing. It was a similar job in the fact that I was responsible for solving problems for people all day long, but I enjoyed it, and I was learning something new.

Over time, I realized that the company was not a fit for me long-term for a variety of reasons. I began to hunt for other jobs with my new skills and experience in the tech industry.

To my disappointment, I didn’t turn out to be qualified for a lot I came across. They wanted many years of experience or degrees and certifications that I did not possess. I spent many days trying to find something that matched my interests as well as my abilities and qualifications.

After a few weeks, I felt defeated. I felt like had given up a job I loved with people I enjoyed working with to work a job that maybe didn’t fit me. I was struggling to find my place among the sea of developers, business professionals, and salespeople. I scoured job boards and looked online for government positions that would fit me outside of the policing world. I came up with absolute zero time and time again.

It was in the midst of this rollercoaster of trying to determine who I was and where I belonged, I came back to the idea of graduate school. I had pursued that at a time when my schedule didn’t really permit me to commit fully. Looking at the situation through the lens of a normal schedule, I suddenly saw pockets of time where I could commit myself in a way I previously had not.

I talked with my fiancé, and we agreed that it was a good move. It would help strengthen my candidacy for other positions. It would qualify me if I wanted to go back to the government sector. It would also bring me a degree of happiness in addition to a degree on paper. I would be able to accomplish something I had aspired to for years.

Instead of going back to the local university, I found an online program that I could complete from home on my own schedule. It would allow me to still work my eight-to-five while also completing the degree in the mornings, evenings, and weekends. I gathered my paperwork, letters of recommendation, and courage, and I applied for a program to better myself, again.

I enjoyed the online environment. While I missed the classroom discussions and group setting, it allowed me to keep my head down and just knock out classes when I could. I entered the trenches with a keyboard and a textbook, and I came out with a solid work product. I was writing papers and refreshing myself on APA format and proper citations. I was doing research on topics that I felt were inspiring and important. I was learning more about the industry I worked in and the future expectations for public safety, government, and the impact of technology.

Along the way in this academic pilgrimage, I heard of another company that was working in the public safety tech space, but with a different focus. They seemed to be growing, had a clear mission, and had a hand in both hardware and software. I was impressed by what I saw, and I decided to put my name in the hat for an open customer success position.

I had been turned down by similar companies. In fact, I had been turned down by all the companies I had applied to at that point. So I wasn’t expecting even a phone call or return email to decline me. It was simply a matter of doing it for the experience.

To my shock, I was selected for an interview. I spent a long time reading their website, gathering information, selecting talking points, and identifying pieces of my experience that would matter to the company. I rehearsed. I practiced with Zoom so I would know how to use it on the day of the interview. I prepared a presentation and timed myself time and time again to be perfect on the expectations for not only content but length. I dressed up for the interview despite the fact that it was on Zoom. I’m a firm believer in the adage “Look good, feel good.” I showed up in a suit, with a slide deck, and my notes to the side of the monitor.

I crushed it.

I continued through the process and, amazingly, was hired by the company. In many ways, this was a dream job for me. Work from home. Unlimited PTO. Working with public safety and law enforcement agencies across the country to make a difference, solve crime, and rescue missing people and children. I was hooked.

Despite landing an incredible opportunity, I still knew that I had to finish school. I had started something again that I had given up before. I wouldn’t quit again. This time, I was going to finish it and obtain a master’s degree even though most of my peers at the new company didn’t have one. It was important to me, and it felt like a significant undertaking.

I continued working through my classes and kept a focus on my studies. Despite a gap over the summer to get married, I continued with classes every semester until I reached the end. When I finally reached the end of the last class, it felt surreal.

Do you remember when, as a kid, you would finish the school year and then you’d wake up the next Monday with an innate sense of dread for school? Only to realize that you had the day to do whatever you wanted because the school year was over? That’s how I felt. A weight had been lifted. I’d have more free time now to do so many things with. (Spoiler alert- I missed doing research, writing, and learning so I wrote a book, built a website, and now write a blog).

Graduation day was joyous. I was sat in the second row just behind the Ph.D. students. My wife and family looked on as I crossed the stage, was hooded, and received my master’s degree in public administration. We had a nice lunch at a local restaurant. I felt like I had 10 years earlier when I graduated with my bachelor’s, but I was happier. I had the same sense of pride, but I didn’t have the unknown of the real world. I had a wife that loved me. A safe home with a perfect dog to play with. I had a great job and a bright future. I felt accomplished, and I felt successful.

When I came back to work, I told my boss about graduating. She was new to the company, but my former manager had known about me taking classes. They were both thrilled for me. My former manager posted about it on LinkedIn. My new boss casually asked me about my favorite restaurant, and I answered in true form with too many details and reasons why it was our spot. Both of them chipped in to buy me a gift card to the local restaurant where my wife and I had our first date and still frequent for special occasions. I had never had a manager do something like that before, and it really meant a lot to me to be recognized.

In my day-to-day life, I don’t have a significant benefit from the degree. It wasn’t required to get the job. I didn’t get promoted right away. I wasn’t given the proverbial keys to the kingdom with rule over many subjects. I was the same person in the same job doing the same tasks at the same level in the company.

But I learned a lot from the degree that does help me every day. I learned about budgets, human resources, and ethics. I researched the history of public safety technology and its impact on government at all levels and in many countries. I furthered my understanding of how businesses operate and interact with governments in the form of public-private partnerships. I was given the opportunity to write a grant for a nonprofit and understand the nuances of this process which helps me when I speak to my clients about grant management and funding initiatives for the technology.

I learned a lot about myself and the commitment I can give to something. I learned to not give up when it’s difficult but to keep going and see it through. I learned the sense of pride I felt on graduation day is still something I carry with me in my daily operations. I accomplished a goal that I set for myself which allows me to keep perspective at work and understand that there are other goals I have set for myself that I am determined to reach. While the results were not immediate in visual or tangible rewards in regard to work, there are a hundred reasons why I am rewarded for pursuing my master’s degree.

Everyone is different. There are different jobs and opportunities. Finances are a part of pursuing higher level education that has to be considered. I took out some loans in the beginning, but with the newer job, I was able to pay for tuition out of pocket. If you are considering going back to school, you have to look at it for what it’s worth to you. If you absolutely don’t want to go back and you only are considering it because you think it will help you at work, I would suggest you wait. I’d ask if there will be those opportunities that you expect and what that looks like when you complete the program.

You should only pursue a degree if it’s something that you want and you have a path to achieve it. When I pursued it the first time, I didn’t consider the path. I only saw the end where I got the degree and not all the pieces to get there. On the second attempt, I knew how I was going to achieve it.

If you want to better yourself, learn something new, improve your knowledge base and skill set, and become more well-rounded, then going back to get a degree may be a great option for you. No one can make you do it. If you don’t want to be there, it’s going to be a bad experience and you may end up dropping out. Align your goals with the path toward them. If you see how a degree and the experience through the education can help you, then I fully support the pursuit.

If you asked me if it’s worth it, I would say absolutely. I learned so much about myself and I feel a sense of pride when I see that degree on the wall. While it didn’t promote me automatically or make me more money, I do feel it sets me apart and will be something that stands out among my peers on my resume as I pursue future opportunities. Education is a valuable tool. It is an investment in yourself. If you have the capacity, financial ability, and time to get a higher-level degree, I think it’s worth a discussion with those close to you. If you decide on a certificate program or even just an online learning platform such as LinkedIn Learning, it is never a bad step to further your understanding.

As the saying goes, “Knowledge is power”. You have the opportunity to do so many things in life. Many are not worth doing. Some risks are not worth taking. Some may be a consideration or a gamble as to if they pay out. But education is always worthy of your time. Learning about things that interest you is the key to becoming a leader in the field. Putting in the time on academic pursuits will open the doors for you to use your time how you want in the future. You will grow not only as a professional, but as a person. You will be better for it. And for all those reasons, it is a worthwhile adventure.