Perhaps some of you are wondering why I haven’t been posting more frequently. Part of the reason is that the end of a semester is always a busy time. Another part is that I’m getting very close to the end of my program.
I’ve been immersed in thought lately. And not in a good way, either.
When I started thinking about going back to school, I set a very simple goal for myself: finish. That’s it. I didn’t really concern myself with a specific time or a date. I just told myself that this time I would make it all the way through and get the degree done. I thought that was a pretty good goal.
Somehow that didn’t seem to be enough for me so I set myself another goal: get into graduate school.
Naturally, since the focus of my undergrad program was mainly computer science, I decided to take a close hard look at graduate programs in that field.
Now I’m wondering if that’s wise.
I’m old enough now that I have to weigh the opportunity costs of choosing one path versus another. Once you near middle age, it’s becomes clear that time has value that isn’t fully appreciated by the young.
Graduate school is a big time and financial commitment. If I start a program, I don’t want to repeat the same mistakes that I made with my undergraduate degree. I want to pick the right program and be done with it.
I also want it to have a measurable and demonstrative effect on my life and career. Lately, I have been having a hard time justifying the expense and allocation of time that a graduate program in Computer Science would demand.
When I asked around to people who I know and respect, they all suggested that I take a good look at getting an MBA. Their reasons were pretty simple: it will make me a better candidate for advancement in my current career and it will probably make me more marketable if I choose to change my career.
Another point that they brought up was that my experience in business would all be relevant as I sought to apply them to my educational journey.
Of course, I always thought that I was doing this for strictly personal reasons. Try as I might though, my career has found a way to make itself a priority again.
SO…it’s going to be an interesting story if I end up choosing one versus the other. I’m screening possible schools and getting ideas.
I also have to take the GMAT. Yech.
Stay tuned.
For me choosing a grad program caused me a great deal of internal debate. Initially I intended to select a program that leaned heavily towards the propeller head side of things. At HES I was considering the mathematics and computation concentration, which would seem to present a serious challenge to my geeky side.
Yet after reviewing my current career and the available paths that I think lie before me I came to the conclusion that while this path would be interesting it may not be in my best interest. Given that I have been in this field for over a dozen years, I have come to understand that in large organizations technology rarely works in a vacuum, instead it is there to aid some business need. With this in mind I changed my focus towards program that integrate both technology and business elements, hence my enrollment in the information management systems concentration. It allows me to split my efforts between the technology that has drawn me to my current career path, and business/management coursework that helps me to gain a better understanding for of the non-technical factors that impact all of the projects that I work on.
Now that I am approaching the halfway point in my quest for my Masters degree, I can honestly say that I am happy with the program that I am working on. All told I believe that this has been the right choice for me.
I wish you the best of luck in determining which path is right for your future.
Hi,
I am a computer science engg. working with a NY based MNC, financila major, as a software engineer.. I am in a dilemma regarding MBA or MS compter sc. As one is my technical field which i love and the other is the filed i want to get into for faster and better career growth. I am very ambitious and i will suffocate with a mediocre career. I took the GMAT without any serious preparation as I wasn’t sure of joinin an MBA program and i secured 710 in GMAT. I have excellent academic records and was the batch topper at my engineering college. Can you please provide me with some pointers?
get the CS MS. I just finished mine, now I have this wonderful job teaching at a college plus consulting 10 hr/week, makes me $150k/ year. I did work for 6 years in between college and grad school so your mileage will vary a little. From my perspective, MBA has this quick, cheesy appeal in that you immediately get this boost to your “marketability” but look at all these MBA’s getting fired! FAR fewer CS people are losing their jobs. MBA’s are fluff. Do what you love.
I love computer science and i dont think i am MBA material. That said, it has been more than 6 years since I finished my engineering degree. I very much want a change in career, but i am almost at war with myself. I have lots of questions and doubts about leaving my present job to do a masters full time. I would have to attend school with guys who would be years younger than me. But atleast after i finish the masters, i would hopefully have a better job for the rest of my career. what do you guys say about it? do you know someone who did their masters when they were 28/29 years?
I’ve been working in electronics field for 2 years now, since my bachelor. I am contemplating between MSCS and MBA. I love my job, but getting a master would look nice in my resume even if I don’t want to find another job. MBA is cheaper, but boring. MSCS is more expensive, but more interesting. I’m still thinking.
I got accepted into MSCS already, but the first class doesn’t start in 3 more months. Still thinking. I think I don’t have enough experience for MBA. I don’t know if I should wait and get MBA or just go for MSCS and be done with school for life.
i am almost finished my bsc in computing and information systems..what should be my next step? im thinking to do an msc in information systems and management, which i assume will make me more of an expert in my field…but im hearing that it will be useless. please someone help me..will an mba in say, like project management be a better choice? someone who has experience in this field please advise me..
I’ve a BSc in Computer Science and an MSc in Management. If you seek to stay in the computing industry, you must have an MSc in Computer Science or Software Engineering as well. The perfect combination is BSc and MSc in Computer Science plus an MSc in Management. It’s better to take the MSc in Computer Science first, and then the MSc in Management. Note that the MSc in Management is better than the MBA because the MSc allows you to become a management professor at a university, while the MBA doesn’t.
what do you mean MBA’s are fluff? Are you saying that if I, as a liberal arts major with concentration in languages, decide to learn computer skills via an MBA degree, since going back to school is really not an option (undergrad school, that is), to complement my currently limited skills, there is no way to walk in confidently to a job interview in that field? help me to understand that, if you can. (i’m not being sarcastic, actually curious).