Getting Frustrated with Career Guidance

[techwoman2]

Hi, it's the graduate school for 10 hour a day person again. I should explain where I am at in my life. I spent the past two years getting into a job where, tuition at the state college is free, and there are finally challenges. I also saved quite a bit in anticipation of choosing a graduate program or even working on another B.S.

Now my local state college has a graduate program in software engineering, but that's all, there is also a B.S. in computer science and I can take as many courses as I want. But, I have been told by management that I need more education to advance. That means graduate level, but they will expect the skills as well as the degree. My concern is also that I will come off as too competitive and my salary will be less than other managers. Currently I am bringing in 1/3 less than five years ago. I can't really afford to spend this time and energy and not bring in a higher salary. However, it's an unfortunate reality that in this competitive environment, that could happen.

Why do I see very few jobs for software engineers? And more for security specialists for the govt? This forum was right that security is big, I see job openings all the time for this, but there is no graduate program nearby in this field.

I can move for the right program, okay
but what happens if I go outside govt? I want to continue with programming course work because there are more openings for programmers outside govt.

The issue for me is that I do not want to work for the govt all my life and so I need to be ready for other opportunities. And when I see security it seems this means govt.

Am I correct that I need to focus on programming in my course of study to show employers I can do this? When my employers want programming skills they mean they want a course of study that shows I can do this, not just experience. How can I do all of this in one graduate program? I like programming and I like the idea of designing software too.

I get frustrated because I see the need for a combined B.S/M.S. degree in computer science, if I am going to do that why not work on an electrical engineering degree because that is a solid skill that I can use to gain a higher salary. Engineers in my department make much more than IT management, that is frustrating because I want to be seen as a person who worked hard, no matter what the title. I'm going to my college's guidance person, but in the end it's not just about what I love to do, it's the politics and the management end of it.

Thanks
techwoman2
Boston

 

[LadySlinger]

You're probably seeing the security specialists more because of the area you're living in (East Coast, right?). When I look for jobs I see a lot for developers, programmers and such...and I'm in Michigan.

With the program you are looking at, I would take a look at what the full title would be when you graduate: i.e., is it "Masters of Science: Software Engineering"? or Masters of Liberal Arts: Software Enginneering" or "Masters of Business Admin: Software Engineering"? A Computer Science would still still fall under the Masters of Science general category. Software Engineering is a concentrated field of Comp Sci, and if you do get the MS, then you would still be fine to apply for jobs. Keep in mind too that half of the jobs out there are posted by HR who aren't IT people for the most part, and will list a bunch of stuff that covers more the job than what the job is. I.e. a Help Desk Support position may require BS in Comp Sci, A+ Cert, Securit+ cert, MSCE, MSCA, CISSP, CCNA, CCNE, and 5 years of programming experience. This is far fetched for a position that just does front line support. So keep that in mind too.

 

[techwoman2]

Yes Ladyslinger I'm in Boston, and the program is M.S. I'll try and get answers from the program director. So far he only wants to communicate by email to a list of questions!