University and Career advice

[Asher]

I'm almost done my second year now of computer science with a minor in math (requires only a couple additional math courses in addition to CS requirements), and I'm starting to think of what I should do after my degree.

I've basically narrowed it down to three choices:

• Take my BSc and get a job in the field as a software engineer
  
• Stay in school, get a Masters in Computer Science
  
• Stay in school, get an MBA
  

The easiest would be to just get a job as a software engineer when I graduate (that is my concentration afterall). But I don't want to be a software engineer for the rest of my life, I'm hoping to get somewhere in management or administration eventually.

Masters in CS: Would be cool, makes me more attractive from a technical point of view.

MBA: This is where I'm leaning. The chances of moving up the ranks in a company with an MBA are far higher than without one. I was told by someone that it helps to have a minor in something like economics to make yourself more attractive from the school's perspective, and that's something I'm seriously considering. I'd need to take 8 more semester-long econ courses to qualify for a minor, which would push my four-year degree to a five-year degree, but I find economics interesting so I'm not sure I'd mind. But is it really that valuable to have an econ minor?

For that matter, is it really valuable to have an MBA or a Masters in CS?

Any input is appreciated. Thanks.

[DRoseDARs]

If you think you can get a masters without too much trouble, then go for it. I'm going for a transfer degree from TMCC to University of Nevada, Las Vegas and getting my bachelor's there, then going for the masters in architecture.

The difference between a bachelor's and a master's counts for something in a lot of fields.

[OldWarrior_42]

Honestly, and if you want advice from me... go for the most Education you can get. Adding another yr. to your schooling is not too much to get something that would probably be looked upon more favorably within the job sector.

My oldest daughter is adding half a yr. to her schooling just to obtain as much education and diversity in her field as possible. She's a senior right now , but will graduate at the end of the summer. (Taking summer courses again this yr to obtain her goals).

Go for the extra Education. It looks good on a resume, it can't hurt... it can only help... and do it now while you are thinking about it and have the opportunity. You never know what goes on, down the road and you may regret not doing it.

My advice therefore is to go for it.

Good luck.

[Asher]

Extra education is definitely the ideal route, because it can't hurt. The real question is if I can put up with more education in 2 years' time and can resist the temptation of making real money. I think I can, though.

[DRoseDARs]

High school education = money now
Higher education = MORE money now
Master's or better = potentially more money starting AND over the long-term

Yes Asher, you CAN resist the temptation to stop now. And you damn well should.

[Asher]

(bump)

[Az]

I think that doing an bussiness degree is cool, esp. IF you want to be enterpreneurial(sp?), or to go into management.

I want to get bussiness or a law degree, myself. (Chemist.)

[Ozz]

Originally posted by DRoseDARs
High school education = money now
Higher education = MORE money now
Master's or better = potentially more money starting AND over the long-term

Yes Asher, you CAN resist the temptation to stop now. And you damn well should.

If I may:

High school = Bull****, hell everybody craps on you.
Higher education = Put up with some bull****
Master's or better = Yer the Bull

[monkspider]

There is always a PhD in general studies.

[Asher]

Originally posted by monkspider
There is always a PhD in general studies.

I'd need to switch faculties for that, and I'm not sure what kind of job I'd get with it. Is there anything you can do with that besides teaching?

[Zopperoni]

Re: University and Career advice

I'm an MBA student myself. The things I learn are very diverse and potentially very useful for a career in management. So if a career in management is something you want, it's definitely the way to go.

Originally posted by Asher
I was told by someone that it helps to have a minor in something like economics to make yourself more attractive from the school's perspective
[...]
But is it really that valuable to have an econ minor?

Depends on who that "someone" was.

Do you have "study advisor"-people at your university (people who have a lot of knowledge on studies/job outlook/study composition)?
If there is, go consult one.

When I decided to quit my Industrial Design-study, the study advisor at the university proposed my current BA study to me, and so far it's been good advice

[Az]

What would you be called, anyway?

A doctor of... stuff?

[Buck Birdseed]

How about taking a year off and travelling around the world?

[Asher]

Zopper: We have advisors too, I'm going to make an appointment with one once school returns next week.

Snapcase: I'm not a big fan of travelling, and I don't have the money for that kind of thing.

[Az]

Buck speaks the truth. If not a year, at least take 3 or 4 months.

I wish I could do this.