Re: debate: to get a Master's Degree in CS or Not


Randy wrote:
> xtcsonik@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
> >>My thoughts are that a master's degree in a technology field that
> >>changes so much would be a waste. Not like a Master's Degree in
> >>Economics, or History, or Mathematics which has been pretty stable for
> >>some years.
> > <snip>
>
> Right. The question for you should be, "Where do I want to go with my
> career, and how best do I get there?"
>
> If you want to program, you don't need any more formal education. Just
> keep current with new tools on your own. But will you want to write
> code for the next 40 years? Probably not.

I'll want to write code up to the last 0.01 millisecond before I die.
Some people, like me, don't code because we have to make a living. We
code because it's fun. And it sure is nice to be paid to have fun ;-)
Just don't let my boss know that I'd probably also do it for free.

> If you want to be a project manager, a grad degree can be helpful,
> especially if you work for a larger company that respects advanced
> degrees. Many large employers pretty much require managers to get
> masters' or better in order to advance.

Here in Malaysia the pay is often different if you have a master's
degree. Expect up to 50% more than your peers. Up to two years ago, IBM
would only employ engineers with a minimum of a master's degree. You
often had to compete with those with PhDs.

Of course I myself don't have a master's degree since my ambition since
childhood is to not to go to school. So going back to school for me is
out of the question. But my wife is working towards her master's
degree.

> If you want to move toward business, a MBA is a traditional path,
> especially if you're young. Over 40, a MBA makes less sense. A MBA is
> probably the most profitable degree path as well.

I find the best degree to get to the top is accounting. Here in
Malaysia 80% of all CEOs and company directors are accountants. Then
again, that represents less than 0.001% of all accountants here. MBAs
typically make up a good portion of middle management but accountants
still make up at least 50% of all middle management.

> If you want to move into software R&D, a MS or ideally a PhD in CS is ideal.

I find that for the 'D' part of R&D companies are typically looking for
experience. Start doing interesting things in real-time embedded
development and you'll find yourself in demand. For the 'R' part of R&D
companies will usually want a PhD.

.