Should I get a masters? 2

[rjseals]

I am currently contemplating getting a MS in Management of Information Systems through a University about 45 minutes away.

A little background. I graduated with a Comp Sci degree in 2003 started working in a local school district (web development/tech support). I just started a new job in December doing Network Admin/Tech Support (lots of different stuff). My current employer has a tuition assistance program where I will be able to basically get a degree for free (minus books). I am happy at my current position (I get paid well for the area I live/work in). The area I do work in is more of a rural area so good paying tech jobs don't come around too often. My wife and I are settled so I doubt I would be willing to relocate into the future.

Your thoughts on persuing the MS in MIS?

Thank You.

 

[Golom]

Smarter is usually better than dumber and if it's "smarter for free" then why not?

On the other hand ...

What's your long-term plan? Do you intend to be geekish for the rest of your career or does management have allure in some hypothetical future? The reason I ask is that the technical ladder in most companies has a fairly hard ceiling. Management being what it is ... you're never going to make more than your boss even though sending email is the limit of his technical abilities. Cutting code / building Web sites / convincing management that Excel is really not a DBMS / etc. can get old after a while. You may want to think about the MBA route as offering more flexibility in your future career.

[small]On two occasions I have been asked, "Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?" I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question. (Charles Babbage)[/small]

 

[cupid11213]

The more you know the better it is. Although the way you put it it might not be a career that you will easily find a job in that field where your at and don't plan to relocate.
Keep in mind that that is your opinion in this stage of life and in the future you might change your mind for the right amount of money.

Since your basically are only going to pay for books, My recommendation is to get what you can for free (you don't get thosekind of oportunities often in life)

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT THE FUTURE MIGHT BRING.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FINAL DECISION!

Luis Lopez

Some people make things happen, some people watch things happen, while others wonder what happened.

 

[CajunCenturion]

As long as I had the support of my wife, there is no doubt in my mind that I would pursue the degree.

Given the situation that you've described, I can see only one possible downside to obtaining a Master's degree. It is possible that your current management would be threatened by you having a graduate degree?

--------------
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[buck2506]

I'll add my two pennies worth, go for the degree. But a bit a caution make sure you have enough time to do everything. I started a master's last summer, trying to masnage 6-9 hours worth of classes, 40+ at work and 2 border collies is a killer. I finally reached the decision to cut back on class schedule so I could actually stay caught up.

Make sure to check the company requirements(gpa,course load,etc.) and grad school requirements.

 

[LadySlinger]

If you ever decide to leave (although sounds like you're in a good job), I find that a Masters will separate you in the pool of resumes. Reason I say this is that a Bachelor's is pretty common place today...maybe not everywhere but i know that the area I live in is this way.

I made the decision to return to college to get my masters. My personal reason is that I don't want to answer the "How do I open Outlook" questions anymore (exaggerated, yes, but you get the idea). I Realised when I was searching for jobs, that I didn't want to be the "know everything" person.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[techx]

I think it's a necessity in today's technical field. I've been in the technical field for 9 years, and decided a few years back to get my masters in IT Project Management.
My reason was so I can become more diversive in my field. With the masters I will be able to either take a programming role or management role. Personally before I started I asked myself do I want to be programmer for the rest of my life. Even though I love coding, I thought it would be more important to try to go after a management masters degree.
I decided I didn't want to get stuck in a saturated market where my programming skills would be unmarketable. I think a masters degree will give you the advantage you need to get ahead of the crowd.

 

[BackStageJim]

I would go fo the degree, knowing that if you don't complete it you are still skilled in your current position. I have noted recently, from friends, that management is looking harder and harder and NOT allowing MBA programs that will impact their positions. One manager stated to a friend, your not getting more educated then me, and take my job. Obviously, my friend went on to get his MBA, and moved on.

 

[rjseals]

Thanks for your replies everyone. At this point I am leaning towards applying. I still need to take the GRE and about the only thing that I am leary about is the travel time it will take to get to class (45-60 minutes each way). But you have given me good food for thought. Thanks.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

rjseals,

First - I think it is a GREAT idea - I wish I would have done it 20 years ago so as others said - you never know where you will be - been there - done that !!!

Have been kicking myself as jobs pass by that require BS or MS - if they are paying - just do it - 20 years from now you might just be looking for other work and you will be glad you have it.

You said you were leary of the travel time - have you looked into an online Masters degree - I am not talking about a diploma mill but many "real" colleges have online programs now.

I am finishing my BS in Technolgy Management (online) at a state college now. I register online, buy books online, take tests online and have class discussions online! I have more contact with my prof. then I ever did driving 30 min. to the major state university (35,000 students) and sitting in a lecture of 500 students.

I have a friend who finished the same program and is now looking at an online masters program in networking and network security at Syracuse University.

Just my thoughts!

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[rosieb]

I'd agree with all above, go for it!

However, don't underestimate the effort involved. You have a job and a wife and, presumably, a life. You'll pretty much lose the last.

That said, there are two main techniques to this kind of studying: "go for broke" and get the best grades you can for each assignment OR "satisficing" - do the minimum needed to get a pass for each. Think hard before going for the former, it may seem natural, but it'll double/triple/quadruple the amount of work.

Obviously it's not entirely that black and white, but it's worth considering, in advance, how you are going to approach it - and the effect that'll have on your life.

Oh, and good luck!

Rosie
"Don't try to improve one thing by 100%, try to improve 100 things by 1%

 

[lionelhill]

No one has mentioned enjoyment yet. I assume you like the look of the course, and that it looks fun?

 

[rjseals]

Hi Again,

I think I found an even better solution. I found out about an online MBA degree from Walden University. As I understand it is accredited etc but the class instruction is through windows media so that will definately save me a couple of hours driving time per class which is definately good.

Has anyone taken any classes through this institution? If so your thoughts?

Thansk.

 

[rosieb]

rjseals

There are MBAs and there are MBAs - accreditation is important, make sure any school you go to is accredited by a recognised authority. I don't know about the US, but in UK AMBA is the gold standard.

I've seen friends take MBAs through local colleges and been horrified by the low quality of the teaching. OK, they got an MBA, but they learned very little - and I doubt many employers will value their qualification.

An MBA is a generic degree, will your choice of college allow you to specialise in your field of interest? MBAs generally fall into 3 parts: core topics, electives and the dissertation. What electives are offered? That usually gives a clue to the interests of potential dissertation supervisors. And your dissertation supervisor is critical!!!!

(Oh, and for Marketing it's always Kotler, Kotler, Kotler [I hate Kotler], boxes and arrows - a copy of Visio is essential!)

That all said, I did an MBA and I loved every minute of it (except the Economics) - it's a great opportunity to stretch yourself.



Rosie
"Don't try to improve one thing by 100%, try to improve 100 things by 1%

 

[rjseals]

Rosie,

They are accredited through the North Central Association

http://www.waldenu.edu/c/About/About_231.htm

An MBA is a generic degree, will your choice of college allow you to specialise in your field of interest? MBAs generally fall into 3 parts: core topics, electives and the dissertation. What electives are offered? That usually gives a clue to the interests of potential dissertation supervisors. And your dissertation supervisor is critical!!!!

It is a Master of Business Administration (High-Tech M.B.A. and I can specialize in one of the following

Business Process Management
Emerging Technologies
Engineering Innovation
Global Product Management
Information Strategies
Technology Project Management

http://www.waldenu.edu/c/Schools/Schools_1395.htm

 

[rosieb]

rjseals
I freely admit I have no inkling of US accreditation - if that's a good one, then great!

The specialisations look interesting - does more than one of them appeal to you? You may change your mind as you study.

From my experiernce:it's hard work, a certain amount is Kack ( but you just have to regurgitate it), the rest is really challenging - but you get out what you put in.

Rosie
"Don't try to improve one thing by 100%, try to improve 100 things by 1%

 

[CiscoGuy33]

rjseals,

Where did you get your BS or BA - talk to an advisor there!

They should have a book that lists all "real" colleges and where they are accredited and if that is a "real" accredidation.

They also might know of online plans for them - many programs are starting to go online.

Even the diploma mills are "accredited" and have great websites - 20/20 did this last year and it was very funny to see the website and then the "college" in a strip mall

Hope this helps!




E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[lespaul]

One of the other news shows did a story on a Florida University that cannot hire its own MBA graduates as teachers because the degree doesn't meet the requirements!


Leslie

Anything worth doing is a lot more difficult than it's worth - Unknown Induhvidual

Essential reading for anyone working with databases: The Fundamentals of Relational Database Design

 

[irigoyena]

Education, especially free advanced education can never be a bad you choice. Like it's been said before, You never what the future might bring and one should always keep themselved matketable. especially in our line of work. It's about staying on top of your game and Higher education is defintely the way to go. Good Luck and hopefully I'll be there getting my MBA someday!!

I hope you find this post helpful.

Regards,

Iggy
MCSE, MCSA:Messaging, A+, Network +

 

[HungryHouse]

Hey Ciscoguy,

I tried to find an archive from 20/20 on the online university report that they did...I could not find it, but I am very interested in it, as I also want to understand the market, the legitimacies, and such of the whole thing (I too have also considered doing an online masters).
Know where I can get a copy/viewing?
-Thanks, HH