Degree(s) Of Progression

A graduation degree followed by post-graduation is the norm. The prospect of pursuing yet another degree in the time-pressed and stressed-out world of today is daunting. However, certain individuals have the rare distinction of holding not one or two, but a bouquet of degrees. The degrees could be in different branches of a single field, or in altogether dissimilar fields. Of the plethora of degrees, generally one or two degrees are converted into professions using the others as add-ons. “To convert all degrees into professions is not the basic idea. Since competition is cut-throat on all fronts, having basic knowledge and a little more always helps,” points out Dr Vandana Bhatt, a distinguished scholar who is a chartered engineer and project administration consultant. She should know, having a string of degrees such as ME, PhD (USA), MIE, MASCE (USA), MICA, MIMC, MICC, MBAI, MICI to her name (whew!) . Professor SD Rane, meanwhile, has a multitude of degrees mainly consisting of two qualifications in engineering, two in management and one in law. He shares, “Compare a student with a simple civil engineering degree with another having a degree in materials management and also a degree in labour law. Not only is the latter

more efficient and equipped to deal with issues, he can easily double up, with his enhanced knowledge, as a techno-legal consultant. Same goes for a software or IT student who pursues a law degree in intellectual property rights.” True to his beliefs, Prof Rane holds degrees in DCE, BE (Civil), DBM, MMS (Mktg), MMS (Materials), LLB (Labour Laws), LMIE (India), LMISTE (India) and, most recently, a PhD to boot. Opines Professor MY Gokhale, who has a doctorate degree (PhD) and twin MSc degrees in both, pure as well as applied mathematics, “Even degrees pursued in the same field strengthen the holder’s grasp of the subject.” Dr Bhatt, however, laments, “Lack of scientific counselling and non-availability of useroriented courses causes repulsiveness among parents and students alike when it comes to add-on degrees that should ideally be pursued.” Dr Bhatt, who is also a former Class-1 government engineer, says, “What is fresh in the morning is obsolete in the evening and the industry prefers a candidate with multipleutilities.” Having just appeared for her law exams, she continues to add more to her long roster of degrees and certifications. Septuagenarian Dr Kirty Dave who already has a string of alphabets after his name, including PhD (USA),MA, LLB, BEngg and FIE, now intends to put a master’s degree in law in his kitty of degrees this year. He philosophically says, “Make knowledge a fad. Learning till the end is life well-lived.” On the other hand, Prof G Venkatachalam (PhD from Leningrad) of IIT, Bombay, alerts, “Simply collecting degrees is of no use. Practical need, demand and feasibility should rule the head when one is out on a multiple-degree hunt.” Multiple degrees are often a result of interest or opportunity in other fields or an attempt to branch into a different segment of the same field. Using the degrees to practice one or more professions ensures a goldmine each month, not to forget greater social standing and industrial recognition. Entrepreneurship, freelancing, job skipping, and even entire career changes, are easily facilitated by multiple degrees, though those are not the fundamental aims of studying for multiple degrees. “Upgrading of knowledge and continued learning is why multiple degrees should be earned,” stresses Dr Bhatt. “Apart from better job prospects, it is the creative satisfaction to learn everything that is available. It is a quest to master and be a master,” declares Prof Rane. Multiple degree holders believe the degrees and certificates authenticate their knowledge, irrespective of how they put them to use. Prof Rane, who heads the Department of Humanities and Management at MIT, Pune, explains, “Pursuing different degrees makes me versatile, and new research avenues open out for me. Today, various disciplines overlap. A distinct knowledge of each helps me independently understand and correlate them, and I can effectively deliver my viewpoint. I benefit and so do my students.” A degree is a function of time and money. Prof Rane recounts, “I never got any scholarships or grants. I worked while I studied.” While it is true that finance is not easily available, Dr Bhatt insists, “Money is never important. The social set-up and mindsets block progress.” She advocates an earn-while you-learn policy which includes converting an existing degree into a profession for financial backing. Cautions Dr Bhatt, “When you land a job, do not assume it to be your career. You need to add more to your central interest and profession.” With regard to time, as most peers settle into newer positions, multiple degree holders

invest time into study. Elucidates Dr Dave, “Planning periods of professional and personal life is important to maintain balance.” A clean majority of multiple degree seekers have approval from their families. And some come from luminous families where educational interests are encouraged to the hilt. Says Dr Bhatt, “I started out in the arts field but my brother-in-law encouraged me to do engineering. A stream of brilliant academic performances propelled my growth and I continue studying till date. In fact, I do a new course every year, and encourage my employees to do the same.” With regard to peer pressure, Prof Rane opposes the idea that it can influence one’s educational pursuits. Prof Venkatachalam again puts in a valid counterview when he says, “Knowledge and information are two distinct things. Ultimately only skill and talent count.” But it is the exhilaration of continued learning that makes people want many degrees, benefit or no benefit. “I am more than happy,” say all multiple degree holders. Late Dr SK Mohindra had a degree in law, was a bank manager and practiced homeopathy. His grandson Dhruv, a computer engineering student, says, “Having a quiver full of diverse degrees is nothing less than a boon, being able to fire them for the betterment of society is indeed a blessing.” With that, he winds up determined to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. Cricket or career, being distinct speaks its own saga. Get going! ---***---