In our efforts to be all that we can be career wise, we invariably run into several bumps, obstacles and forks in the road. At some point, we may face the question of whether or not we need either degrees, course work or perhaps a shot in the arm in the form of hands on training to accomplish our goals. We all desire roughly the same things- competence in the form of know how and connections leading to work. But how to get there? When you are early to mid- career, these questions do not have obvious answers. There is no one way to get to where you want to go. All you know is: you want to be there and you want to get there as painlessly as possible. While this desire is understandable it is one that over time requires the addition of much flexibility and patience. No doubt there will be periods where the path is dismayingly unclear. Sometimes it doesn't even appear obvious what technical know how you really need to have. To confuse matters, there are varying opinions as to what constitutes the "right stuff"...

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