changing careers - advice? 2

[ces001]

I have a bachelor's degree in Law Enforcement I obtained about 6 years ago and have been working in that field since then. I am not overally satisfied with the work I do and am looking to change things up. I am currently 28 years old. I plan on going to Keller Graduate School (DeVry) to get my Master's Degree in Network and Communications Management. I realize that degree is probably suited or geared toward those wanting to move into the management field in the IT field. My questions are:

1. I am perfectly fine with taking a starting position at a company to gain experience and work my way up. However, would I be "over educated" for those types of positions holding a graduate degree, even though I have no prior experience in the field?

2. Do you think I would learn all the basic information I need in the graduate level courses, seeing how that is not the field my undergraduate degree is in? I don't want to start taking graduate courses that are way beyond my skill level.

I was thinking of maybe focusing in network security and information security. Think my law enforcement background would give me an edge in that field?, though I can't imagine how they would be related.

Thanks in advance for any help and comments. It's a little scary thinking about a total career change and going back to school at this point in my life. I want to do it right, and give myself the greatest opportunity for success. On the other hand, I think I will get ALOT more out of school this time around. Amazing what a few years do. I don't think partying and sleeping in will be near as important this time around

 

[Glenn9999]

I'm not going to say a lot of what I feel that lots would construe as being non-positive (there really is a lot of non-positives about IT right now), so I'll just keep it to your case and not IT in general.

Have you considered being one of the computer forensics type? You know, the ones that go through computers to try to find info on them for law enforcement cases? It'd require your training like you get to really get taken seriously, but from getting the degree I'm sure you've had some kind of interest in law enforcement, so this might be something to do with it. This would be where your law enforcement degree would give some benefit - especially being able to handle the court system in testifying what/how you got the data.

The network security and information security stuff is good to get into as well, the only catch is that really I can't think of anything law enforcement that would be of benefit in either of those areas. It'd take knowledge that you wouldn't likely have, so you'd be at square one just like most people.

To directly answer your questions.

1. Yes you would be totally changing careers so you'd be starting at the bottom. And as far as over-education, I'm sure there's companies that wouldn't mind it, but I'm sure there's lots that would look at such a resume and think "OK how much are we going to have to pay this guy?". The general environment of business is to pay people the very absolute minimum possible (even to the point of shipping work off overseas).

I should note, too, that you'd be in for some very long hours (8-12 a day) for said low-pay should you be lucky enough to find work. I don't know if that'll factor in your decisions, but I thought I'd should throw it out there.

2. No. Most graduate level programs have a list of bachelor prerequisite courses that you would be required to take and get a good average in before they'll let you play ball at the graduate level. When I was last involved in a masters level program, there was something like 18 credit hours of classes that were mandated if you didn't have a bachelors degree in the subject, and you had to get at least a B average in those before they'd consider admitting you to the masters program.

Hope this helps.

 

[kHz]

I have a master's degree in education and have been working in the IT field for over 10 years, so a graduate degree will not be a negative in looking for a job, and should actually be a plus for you over other candidates.

You will have to satisfy prerequisite courses. My former girlfriend's sister received her Master's in CompSci even though comp sci wasn't her undergrad degree. She just had to satisfy the prerequisites before taking the graduate courses. Your advisor will help you with scheduling of classes.

you'd be in for some very long hours (8-12 a day) for said low-pay

8 hours is a long day? I thought that was the typical hours worked for a full-time employee. I would also discount the (12 hours, low-pay) comment. Unless there are problems I have never encountered anyone who works 12 hour days in any IT position. And the low-pay (if you read his other posts you will see he means $8) can be discounted too. You will have a master's degree and you won't be applying for the lowest level help desk job.

While you are going to school, get an internship and keep that for the two years or however long it takes to complete the program, then you will have a better chance at getting a job and one that will pay higher. If I were you, with a master's degree and a couple of years experience (internship) I would attempt to get a supervisory or management job.

With a Master's you will not be applying for low-level jobs with the accompanying lower pay, at least I wouldn't expect you to.

 

[langleymass]

Check out this web site:

http://www.ihatedevry.com/

 

[buck2506]

I agree with Glenn. You might look for a program that you can tie your law enforcement experience with. Take a look at some of the federal agencies. Forensic/data recoveryis one area of specialization but there are others. If you are not tied to your location(family) look around many schools offer degrees that will work at a better value.

Also dont forget universities have have police departments so employment opportunities while you are in school that will work with your schedule are a plus. And many schools give discounts to employees for tuition.