sort of a s/o: MS-Negotiation & Dispute Resolution

[StJess80]

Thoughts on this degree and potential jobs after graduation?

Here is the program info: www.creighton.edu/fileadmin/user/werner/docs/course_offerings_081310.pdf

My plan has always been to get my masters in library science, but as I mentioned in another post, it seems a little silly some days to take on $25k+ in student loans for a degree that may or may not get me anywhere. The market here for that degree blows. I have 2 coworkers that have gotten their MLS in the past 1-2 years and cannot find anything. However, I still have the opportunity to change my path, and work towards a degree that wouldn't cost me anything but time. (I am an employee, and my university doesn't offer the MLS program.)

[hbomdiggity]

being brutally honest, it seems worthless. either you 1) are an experienced attorney/ret judge or 2) take special training (but less than an MS) for less complex mediations.

I worked with a dispute resolution center while in law school. while a JD was technically not required, most were attorneys. but even then, there was a 10 week course you had to take to be certified. the money is in the complex mediations - and those are going to go to the experienced legal types.

[StJess80]

I wondered if it was a program to get people into jobs that might be taking up lawyers time w/ big companies, therefore allowing the lawyers to work on real legal problems. Like I said, I have no idea right now.

[LoveTrains]

An MLS is not done for ROI.

[StJess80]

Oct 30, 2012 22:35:48 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

An MLS is not done for ROI.

I know that, but I'd kind of like to be able to actually find a job as a librarian. It seems pointless to get an MLS if I have to continue as a library specialist (where that degree isn't needed, and won't help any.)

[Deleted]

Personally I would not want to waste my time and mental energy on a degree if I wasn't pretty confident that it would get me where I want to be.

[bronxgirl]

Oct 31, 2012 9:06:35 GMT -5 StJess80 said:

Oct 30, 2012 22:35:48 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

An MLS is not done for ROI.

I know that, but I'd kind of like to be able to actually find a job as a librarian. It seems pointless to get an MLS if I have to continue as a library specialist (where that degree isn't needed, and won't help any.)

My brother got his MLIS with hopes of becoming a public libraraian. He was unable to find a job and now still works retail, but has loans to pay off.

[HoneyBooBoo]

Oct 31, 2012 9:06:35 GMT -5 StJess80 said:

Oct 30, 2012 22:35:48 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

An MLS is not done for ROI.

I know that, but I'd kind of like to be able to actually find a job as a librarian. It seems pointless to get an MLS if I have to continue as a library specialist (where that degree isn't needed, and won't help any.)

The library market is sooo oversaturated in New England. It is pretty much impossible to find a job as an actual librarian.
Sorry, I know I am not much help. It is almost as bad as my MA in History & Museum studies.

[Deleted]

I deal with a ton of arbitrators (most of the disputes I work on are arbitrated rather than litigated) and granted, I deal only with multi-million dollar cases in a specific industry, but the arbitrators are pretty exclusively all current or retired officers of very large companies in our industry. In fact, most of the arbitration clauses I deal with require the arbitrators to be former or current officer of [industry] company. At worst, they're very experienced or retired biglaw partners who worked with our industry. And they're all over 50 (because they need a ton of experience to get hired), but most are way older than that.

Of course, I'm talking about specific experience, but I would think industry experience would be much more important that a random degree to get hired for many types of arbitration.

On the other hand, they charge $500+ a hour and mostly work for themselves, so I certainly wouldn't mind doing their mind-numbing work when I'm older...

[hbomdiggity]

Oct 31, 2012 9:06:35 GMT -5 StJess80 said:

Oct 30, 2012 22:35:48 GMT -5 LoveTrains said:

An MLS is not done for ROI.

I know that, but I'd kind of like to be able to actually find a job as a librarian. It seems pointless to get an MLS if I have to continue as a library specialist (where that degree isn't needed, and won't help any.)

Do your local schools not have librarians? My sister was similarly concerned, but there were multiple openings in her school district (every school - elem, middle, and hs have their own librarian).

[StJess80]

Oct 31, 2012 12:01:59 GMT -5 hbomdiggity said:

Oct 31, 2012 9:06:35 GMT -5 StJess80 said:

I know that, but I'd kind of like to be able to actually find a job as a librarian. It seems pointless to get an MLS if I have to continue as a library specialist (where that degree isn't needed, and won't help any.)

Do your local schools not have librarians? My sister was similarly concerned, but there were multiple openings in her school district (every school - elem, middle, and hs have their own librarian).

Yes, but you have to have a teaching degree. A teacher can get a certification for a school librarian, but a librarian cannot get a certification to be a school librarian.

[Deleted]

I personally won't use a mediator or arbitrator who doesn't have a law degree, and very rarely even hear of anyone else using someone without a law degree. I have a feeling this may be a worthless degree, although it may vary by location.