NFT: Debating going for my master's in IT

**The Bad Guy** · 09-15-2006, 10:37 AM

Well, my life has dramatically changed in the last month and a half.

I moved to Northern Virginia with my fiancee. I had a job lined up as a technical writer and she got a teaching job down here.

Well, the tech writing job fell through on my 2nd day because they cut funding and we came down here basically for that.

We are locked into a lease for the year and she has a year teaching contract so we are stuck in this overpriced money pit until at least June.

I was giving serious thought to going back to get my masters in IT. I really dislike this area and plan on going back home in June and wanted some opinions from people who had degrees in IT if this was a smart way to go.

I'm still looking for work down here and it's really pissing me off that my degree in English and minor in Communications isn't opening more doors for me.

Any advice would be appreciated.

siberian khatru · 09-15-2006, 10:40 AM

I hear WPI is hiring writers.

**The Bad Guy** · 09-15-2006, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

I hear WPI is hiring writers.

Hiring? More like looking for freebes.

keg in kc · 09-15-2006, 11:05 AM

Oh, Frank, man, I'm so sorry to hear that. Northern Virginia is one of the worst places in the US to live, in my opinion, and to have your work pulled out from under you is like salt in the wound. Wish I had something to tell you re. the IT thing, but that's out of my sphere. So all I can say is good luck and try to be patient. And make sure you keep the lines of communication open with the fiance while you're going through this, may sound strange to say it, but this is a good primer for marriage for the both of you. It ain't always flowers and chocolate and bubblebaths; helping each other through shit like this is what it's all about.

**The Bad Guy** · 09-15-2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keg in kc

Oh, Frank, man, I'm so sorry to hear that. Northern Virginia is one of the worst places in the US to live, in my opinion, and to have your work pulled out from under you is like salt in the wound. Wish I had something to tell you re. the IT thing, but that's out of my sphere. So all I can say is good luck and try to be patient. And make sure you keep the lines of communication open with the fiance while you're going through this, may sound strange to say it, but this is a good primer for marriage for the both of you. It ain't always flowers and chocolate and bubblebaths; helping each other through shit like this is what it's all about.

Thanks for the reply Kyle.

What really pisses me off is this the job was the reason we moved down here in the first place.

I agree 100% with what you're saying about the primer.

She's been super supportive.

She might actually stay another year if I go home to get my masters, but with how hard they work teachers down here, I'll be amazed if she isn't burned out by June.

I'll be damned if I'm going to spend another year in this shithole paying 1,400 a month rent for an 1,100 square foot apartment.

The Rick · 09-15-2006, 12:00 PM

I don't know about a masters in IT. I have a bachelors in IT and have often wondered the same thing.

My initial thought is that a masters in IT isn't as impressive as a masters in another area such as marketing or accounting. It seems that when it comes to IT work, the focus is more on your skills and real world accomplishments rather than on education. The only time I can definitely see a masters in IT being important and beneficial is if you were going to teach at a university or something.

A part of me wonders if your money and time would be better spent getting professional certifications in the area you are interested in (i.e. Microsoft certifications, Cisco certifications, IBM certifications, etc.). I tend to think those hold more weight in the IT industry than a masters degree.

I don't know about all of this for sure. As I said, I've wondered the same thing for myself. I'd be interested in hearing what others though as well.

**jAZ** · 09-15-2006, 12:03 PM

What's your background and resume look like already? What do you want to do down the road? Do you have a technical (CS) undergrad? What school are you looking at?

If you are looking at a Maters in IT from somewhere off-the-map like University of Phoenix (and you already have a CS degree), you might want to look into another option.

If you are talking about going to Georgetown, GW or some other Tier 1 University and are looking to get into software R&D... then maybe so.

If you are looking to get into IT management and h have some professional experience in the IT industry, you might consider getting an MBA at a school that has a strong MIS reputation. Maybe even a dual MMIS/MBA.

I did Software Engineering as an Undergrad and got my MBA a few years back. It was the best career choice I've ever made. But I had an interest in getting out of the purely technical roles. I'm not sure what your goals are.

Again, unless you are already working for a major corporation and have a career ladder you are looking to qualify to move into, I would NOT suggest getting a degree from any of the the degree-completion, nightschool, University of Phoenix type schools. They are very good at getting you the paperwork you need to qualify for a higher grade pay with your current employer, but if you are out shopping your resume and new degree to employers, it's harder to gain credibility with non-traditional Masters degree like that. In that situation, you will need to have a much stronger "Experience" portion of your resume to make up the credibility and reputation gap.

bogie · 09-15-2006, 12:12 PM

In my opinion, one of the best jobs in my industry (TV Production) is editor. I don't know what you did with your Communications minor, but if you're strong technically, I would suggest you look in to learning to edit. I assume a masters probably takes 2 years? Maybe that 2 years can be spent learning to edit. Learn Avid and Final Cut Pro. If you're technical and can tell a story, you could be a great editor.

StcChief · 09-15-2006, 12:16 PM

Don't do the Masters in IT....unless you want to teach.
Get something else MBA? finance to be a CFO later
or COO...

The IT background would be good in that area if you can
get work. That eperience later will be crucial...

**The Bad Guy** · 09-15-2006, 12:22 PM

I would be getting my masters from the same place I got my bachelor's from. It's a local University in my hometown that has a pretty strong reputation on the East Coast.

There are three jobs that are constantly available in my hometown - IT, health care and financial institutions. That's it. On Monster, there are about 45 IT jobs listed right now.

My prelim. goals right now are either to be a technology teacher or programmer.

I think by teaching down in Northern Virginia, my fiancee will have a good shot at getting a teaching job back home. If I want to make it back there, and living down here has made me appreciate that place ten fold, then I want to do something IT related, which is what I should have gotten my undergrad in anyway.

An English degree is great, if you want to go to Law School, but generally, the employers I've dealt with told me it's a worthless degree.

keg in kc · 09-15-2006, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bogie

In my opinion, one of the best jobs in my industry (TV Production) is editor. I don't know what you did with your Communications minor, but if you're strong technically, I would suggest you look in to learning to edit. I assume a masters probably takes 2 years? Maybe that 2 years can be spent learning to edit. Learn Avid and Final Cut Pro. If you're technical and can tell a story, you could be a great editor.

That's what I do, and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.

**The Bad Guy** · 09-15-2006, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boardin Bronco

Your IT interests are lame and your fiancee is a whore.

Die of Aids.

Seriously.

**dirk digler** · 09-15-2006, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boardin Bronco

Your IT interests are lame and your fiancee is a whore.

Ban this POS troll.

Bad Guy I agree with some of the others that said you might want to get a Masters in something other than IT.

It am sorry to hear about your bad luck and hopefully everything will work out fine.

**The Bad Guy** · 09-15-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dirk digler

Ban this POS troll.

Bad Guy I agree with some of the others that said you might want to get a Masters in something other than IT.

It am sorry to hear about your bad luck and hopefully everything will work out fine.

It just seems everything in my town is geared toward IT degrees.

Every insurance company is looking for IT people. Every banking company is looking for IT people.

It just made the most sense to me because it's something I already know a lot about and have a sincere interest in.

keg in kc · 09-15-2006, 12:38 PM

Well, Frank, if the jobs are there in a place you want to be, and it's something you're interested in and might actually enjoy, then I'd say go for it. Sometimes you have to go with your gut, regardless of what trends and such look like. Hell, you might even be able to get them to pay for it. At least look into it. You're a smart-enough guy, do what you think is right and you'll probably be okay.

09-15-2006, 10:37 AM
The Bad Guy Scott Pioli Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Copacobana Casino cash: $9373645	NFT: Debating going for my master's in IT Well, my life has dramatically changed in the last month and a half. I moved to Northern Virginia with my fiancee. I had a job lined up as a technical writer and she got a teaching job down here. Well, the tech writing job fell through on my 2nd day because they cut funding and we came down here basically for that. We are locked into a lease for the year and she has a year teaching contract so we are stuck in this overpriced money pit until at least June. I was giving serious thought to going back to get my masters in IT. I really dislike this area and plan on going back home in June and wanted some opinions from people who had degrees in IT if this was a smart way to go. I'm still looking for work down here and it's really pissing me off that my degree in English and minor in Communications isn't opening more doors for me. Any advice would be appreciated.
Posts: 23,212

09-15-2006, 10:40 AM	#2
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $2534950	I hear WPI is hiring writers.
Posts: 69,187

09-15-2006, 11:05 AM	#4
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	Oh, Frank, man, I'm so sorry to hear that. Northern Virginia is one of the worst places in the US to live, in my opinion, and to have your work pulled out from under you is like salt in the wound. Wish I had something to tell you re. the IT thing, but that's out of my sphere. So all I can say is good luck and try to be patient. And make sure you keep the lines of communication open with the fiance while you're going through this, may sound strange to say it, but this is a good primer for marriage for the both of you. It ain't always flowers and chocolate and bubblebaths; helping each other through shit like this is what it's all about.
Posts: 58,682

09-15-2006, 12:00 PM	#6
The Rick Veteran Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Milwaukee, WI Casino cash: $7591320	I don't know about a masters in IT. I have a bachelors in IT and have often wondered the same thing. My initial thought is that a masters in IT isn't as impressive as a masters in another area such as marketing or accounting. It seems that when it comes to IT work, the focus is more on your skills and real world accomplishments rather than on education. The only time I can definitely see a masters in IT being important and beneficial is if you were going to teach at a university or something. A part of me wonders if your money and time would be better spent getting professional certifications in the area you are interested in (i.e. Microsoft certifications, Cisco certifications, IBM certifications, etc.). I tend to think those hold more weight in the IT industry than a masters degree. I don't know about all of this for sure. As I said, I've wondered the same thing for myself. I'd be interested in hearing what others though as well.
Posts: 2,438

09-15-2006, 12:03 PM	#7
jAZ Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Tucson, AZ Casino cash: $9847493	What's your background and resume look like already? What do you want to do down the road? Do you have a technical (CS) undergrad? What school are you looking at? If you are looking at a Maters in IT from somewhere off-the-map like University of Phoenix (and you already have a CS degree), you might want to look into another option. If you are talking about going to Georgetown, GW or some other Tier 1 University and are looking to get into software R&D... then maybe so. If you are looking to get into IT management and h have some professional experience in the IT industry, you might consider getting an MBA at a school that has a strong MIS reputation. Maybe even a dual MMIS/MBA. I did Software Engineering as an Undergrad and got my MBA a few years back. It was the best career choice I've ever made. But I had an interest in getting out of the purely technical roles. I'm not sure what your goals are. Again, unless you are already working for a major corporation and have a career ladder you are looking to qualify to move into, I would NOT suggest getting a degree from any of the the degree-completion, nightschool, University of Phoenix type schools. They are very good at getting you the paperwork you need to qualify for a higher grade pay with your current employer, but if you are out shopping your resume and new degree to employers, it's harder to gain credibility with non-traditional Masters degree like that. In that situation, you will need to have a much stronger "Experience" portion of your resume to make up the credibility and reputation gap.
Posts: 24,799

09-15-2006, 12:12 PM	#8
bogie West Coast Chief Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: california Casino cash: $10004900	In my opinion, one of the best jobs in my industry (TV Production) is editor. I don't know what you did with your Communications minor, but if you're strong technically, I would suggest you look in to learning to edit. I assume a masters probably takes 2 years? Maybe that 2 years can be spent learning to edit. Learn Avid and Final Cut Pro. If you're technical and can tell a story, you could be a great editor. __________________
Posts: 3,562

09-15-2006, 12:16 PM	#9
StcChief Playing for #1 Draft Pick Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Just West of Lambs land Casino cash: $10004900	Don't do the Masters in IT....unless you want to teach. Get something else MBA? finance to be a CFO later or COO... The IT background would be good in that area if you can get work. That eperience later will be crucial... __________________ sig test for this screwy schema
Posts: 25,901

09-15-2006, 12:22 PM	#10
The Bad Guy Scott Pioli Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: The Copacobana Casino cash: $9373645	I would be getting my masters from the same place I got my bachelor's from. It's a local University in my hometown that has a pretty strong reputation on the East Coast. There are three jobs that are constantly available in my hometown - IT, health care and financial institutions. That's it. On Monster, there are about 45 IT jobs listed right now. My prelim. goals right now are either to be a technology teacher or programmer. I think by teaching down in Northern Virginia, my fiancee will have a good shot at getting a teaching job back home. If I want to make it back there, and living down here has made me appreciate that place ten fold, then I want to do something IT related, which is what I should have gotten my undergrad in anyway. An English degree is great, if you want to go to Law School, but generally, the employers I've dealt with told me it's a worthless degree. __________________
Posts: 23,212

09-15-2006, 12:38 PM	#15
keg in kc oxymoron Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: OP/KC/Whatever Casino cash: $9556299	Well, Frank, if the jobs are there in a place you want to be, and it's something you're interested in and might actually enjoy, then I'd say go for it. Sometimes you have to go with your gut, regardless of what trends and such look like. Hell, you might even be able to get them to pay for it. At least look into it. You're a smart-enough guy, do what you think is right and you'll probably be okay.
Posts: 58,682