Looking for some advice...

[Boisclair Profile]

[Colonel Ingus Profile]

Regardless of what advice you get, who you marry (although I am sure he is a wonderful man), or what job you get will still be a smacker!

Thats is all!

Dismissed!

[edit]

Hey! number 500 post! watch out Buli! It only took me a year!

[Ryan Profile]

Originally posted by Pvt. Boisclair
As I've mentioned in an earlier thread, I'm currently a 5th year senior about to graduate college with a degree in Computer Science. Now I may have the opportunity of getting a completely free Masters degree in Software Systems Engineering, and I'm am currently weighing my options. It seems like it'd be a no brainer, but I'm also getting married in July and I have to factor that in as well. So, since I know that many of you are in CS related fields, I was hoping to get some advice on my situation. How much of a leg up does it give you to have a masters? Is it really that hard to go back and get it later? Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

Well, it all depends on what employers are expecting, now a days. If I were you, i'd do a bit of research as to what jobs are available for your current major, and whats available if you continue. Then, you will have a clearer pic as to what to expect, and can carry on from there.

And secondly, what is your wife going to think if your still smackin around in school? Not sure what she thinks about it (im assuming its a she ).

[Bagginses]

Well, I would assume jobs in the computer science field are similar to those in engineering, I've heard from several sources that having that masters helps you stand out from the pack, and will definitely help you getting a higher wage. However, you should do some research on potential employers because if you could nail a job with them, they could very well PAY YOU to go back to school and get a masters.

-Bagginses

[sammy davis jr]

Originally posted by Pvt. Boisclair
As I've mentioned in an earlier thread, I'm currently a 5th year senior about to graduate college with a degree in Computer Science. Now I may have the opportunity of getting a completely free Masters degree in Software Systems Engineering, and I'm am currently weighing my options. It seems like it'd be a no brainer, but I'm also getting married in July and I have to factor that in as well. So, since I know that many of you are in CS related fields, I was hoping to get some advice on my situation. How much of a leg up does it give you to have a masters? Is it really that hard to go back and get it later? Any advice at all would be greatly appreciated.

Coincidently I finished my MS in CS in August of last year. Currently I'm out of work and the market for CS people is pretty tight, especially here in Michigan. Entry level positions are very difficult to find. As far as I can tell, a Masters will only be to your advantage if you go into field that specifically uses your graduate work. Like if you studied compilers you would have an advatage if you applied to Sun or Texas Instruments.

Personally, I really enjoyed my graduate program. My research was interesting, and I worked with some really good people. In terms of personal enrichment it was very rewarding. Job wise it may not make much of a difference.

[Major SONAR Profile]

Even though my MS degree isn't in CS, I can still mention my story.

I married my wife and we moved immediately to another state so I could pursue my MS. (or MLA in this case) I worked in the state for a year while gaining in state residency (to save 75% off the cost of tuition)

I originally graduated in 1985 and then went back to school in 1990 for my Masters. It wasn't that difficult at the time. Now that I have kids, I would find it extremely difficult to go back.

I would recommend that if you could continue in your studies for another 2 years, do it now. I think it will be easier if you just stay in school, especially if you have scholorships/grants/etc. In the future you may not have a free ride, or you may have kids. One more thing... having a Masters Degree will never hurt. I think it can only help.

Good luck buddy.

[Jim0322 Profile]

Graduate school (in almost all fields) enrollments are always higher when the economy is bad and jobs are hard to find. If I were you, I would look for a job AND apply to that graduate progam. If you find a good job that you really want then go for it. If you don't you can always fall back on grad school. Bagginses has a really good point, some employers might actually pay for your Master's.

I am not in CS but work in a university. My advice is to go for it all and take the best offer whether that ends up job or school or ideally a job that will pay for school.

Jim

[Murgatroyd]

Having your masters can't hurt, and if you have the opportunity to get it for free, do it.

I know alot of guys who graduated with degrees in CS who cannot find jobs - but should you apply vs. someone with just a Batchelor's, you'll get the job over them. So, with such a tight market, having a leg up will certainly be in your favor.

Any idea what field you want to work in? (CS is kinda broad)

[RCinator]

I know a lot of overeducated, underemployed programmers. The thing that gave me the leg-up wasn't the extra schooling, it was the past work experience. Don't underestimate the value of a few years in the field on your resume.

[Murgatroyd]

Originally posted by RCinator
I know a lot of overeducated, underemployed programmers. The thing that gave me the leg-up wasn't the extra schooling, it was the past work experience. Don't underestimate the value of a few years in the field on your resume.

That's why I'm coding as a hobby - so when I finally do go apply for a job in the programming field, I can say "Look what I did in my spare time, imagine what I can do when it's for a living".

[Mugzy Profile]

Originally posted by C. Murgatroyd
That's why I'm coding as a hobby - so when I finally do go apply for a job in the programming field, I can say "Look what I did in my spare time, imagine what I can do when it's for a living".

What kind of stuff have you done? What language?

[Murgatroyd]

Originally posted by Mugzy
What kind of stuff have you done? What language?

Mostly been working on my MUD (Multi-user dungeon, text-based adventure of old), which is in C. I've been tinkering lately with some of the .NET languages (I got a copy of Visual Studio .net at a bargain), pretty soon going to break ground on some client-server interfaces for the MUD. It's been eating up alot of my time because not only am I programming it, but I'm pretty much heading up development of it as well. So, needless to say, I'm a master of parsing text..

I'd like to take up some web-based languages, I've fiddled with ASP a bit.

I'm always willing to work on projects (in fact I e-mailed a ton of people but no response) pro-bono, just for the experience, and having my name attached to some software for resume purposes.

So, a short answer to your question: text-based games, and mostly C, but I know some Visual Basic, Java and C++.

[Mugzy Profile]

Cool, I have been doing ASP for about 3 years now. I am now starting to work with VB/ASP.net. Tons of fun

[Murgatroyd]

Originally posted by Mugzy
Cool, I have been doing ASP for about 3 years now. I am now starting to work with VB/ASP.net. Tons of fun

Do you know of any good ASP books? The one I have is crap.. it's that series that has the animals on the covers of the books. I like the Microsoft series (I have VC++, VB .NET, J++ in the Microsoft series and they're great), but I can't find an ASP book.

[Mugzy Profile]

Originally posted by C. Murgatroyd
Do you know of any good ASP books? The one I have is crap.. it's that series that has the animals on the covers of the books. I like the Microsoft series (I have VC++, VB .NET, J++ in the Microsoft series and they're great), but I can't find an ASP book.

Naa, I don't get much out of reading books. I just read other people's code.

A good site for learning is http://www.aspin.com