Beyond the Uniform: Examining the Impact of MBA and M.S. Degrees on the Employability of Retired Navy Supply Corps Officers

Abstract

"This thesis investigates the impact of an MBA versus an M.S. degree on the employability of retired Navy Supply Corps officers transitioning into the civilian job market. Among ongoing discussions about the best educational pathway, this study provides insight into how these two degrees are perceived by employers and how they influence career opportunities after military service. This research surveyed companies on their hiring preferences and practices related to these degrees using quantitative and qualitative methodologies. The findings reveal neither an MBA nor an M.S. significantly sway employability on its own; instead, what matters most is the alignment of specific degree attributes with the strategic needs of positions within these companies. These results align with the boundaryless career theory, suggesting that successful career transitions depend not only on formal education but also on career competencies – knowing-how (human capital), knowing-whom (social capital), and knowing-why (psychological capital). It is recommended that the Navy Supply Corps not only enhance training programs to include components from the Navy Supply Corps Foundation’s Career Transition Leadership Seminar but also integrate speakers who specialize in developing human, social, and psychological capital into the Basic Qualification Course (BQC) and Supply Officer Department Head Course (SODHC) to equip officers with skills to thrive in both their military duties and future civilian roles. "