<p>Is Information Management a good course to pursue? I am thinking about applying to some MSc degrees in Information Management but was wondering as to how marketable this degree is in the business world. I know most of the focus is on the MBA but are there any other degrees that companies are looking for besides the traditional MBA? </p>
<p>Would pursuing the MSc in Information Management be a wise investment?</p>
<p>bump. please anyone a little help?</p>
<p>First, what do you mean by information management? Library type stuff or information technology stuff? Then, I may be able to help you. I'm getting my MS in Information Technology.</p>
<p>Information Technology or Technology Management degrees. Are they fairly marketable? Are they more for people who have extensive work experience?</p>
<p>I can't answer that for you. I do know one thing though, if you have work experience in IT, it is hard as hell to get out. I've been applying for entry level management and sales jobs and keep getting asked why don't you do that anymore. So I've decided to stick with IT and do what I know!</p>
<p>The degree I'm getting is for "older" people. I'm probably the youngest in the whole degree program (21). I majored in psych like a dummy (at the time I didn't want to go into IT) and should have did an IS major (I don't think I could have handled straight CS). I'm pretty much getting a master's to get BACK into IT, otherwise I would never do it (debt is killer).</p>
<p>My degree program would give me the foundations for a lot of careers in IT (database management, systems analyst, web developer, software developer, e-commerce, project management, business analysis). I have no idea what my job prospects will be with a master's and no real work experience. I have done lots of internships though. I've been applying for internships and those entry level rotational programs at small and large companies and have gotten a few bites (Toyota, CIGNA). Most state just a bachelor's degree but I apply anyway. I've gotten turned down for at least seven internships probably for just stating I'm in a master's program (HR is the most stupid function in any company, they are clueless when it comes to IT). I don't want to become a programmer, been there, done that. I want to do either project management or business analysis and as a last resort database management (which involves programming).</p>
<p>Enough about me...How old are you? What did you get your bachelor's in? Are you already working in IT? If so, doing what? Why do you think you need a master's? What programs are you looking at?</p>
<p>I majored in Government and Economics at any Ivy and am looking to delay the job search in favor of more schooling. I am 23, just finished school this year and have done internships at the Federal Reserve, a Public Policy tank and the SEC. It was mostly data management work, clerical and research. </p>
<p>My problem is that my GPA is not that high (3.4), I have no full time work experience, and only a working knowledge of IT. I, like you, want a Masters in either Tech Management or Information Management to break into the IT, IS world. </p>
<p>I was wondering just how marketable I would be with little work experience, a BA in Government, and a Masters in Tech. or Info. Management? These degrees are quite expensive so I at least want to know if they're sound investments. </p>
<p>I wouldn't mind pursuing government work or moving over into the private sector.</p>
<p>What makes you want to go into IT?</p>
<p>I don't know if a master's will help you, since you have no work experience in IT. The only thing (I think) that would help is while pursuing your master's, get internships in IT. Maybe also, you can get a local, state, or federal government job after finishing your master's. I know where I come from (California) the government is lenient on work experience if you have a degree and so are the feds. That is actually my last resort if I cannot find work in the corporate world. The government is always hungry for IT people.</p>
<p>That was basically my plan. I was thinking about just sticking with the Federal Government for work. Are they really more lenient about work experience? I know the corporate world is impossible to break into without it but I have heard that most who don't have WE just go into government. </p>
<p>I wouldn't mind working federal or state at all. City might pushing it, depending on which city. Overall, if I want to stay within the public sector, is an MS in one of these fields a wise investment?</p>
<p>Yes, I think it is worth it if you want to stay in the public sector and it is a career change. The only thing is it takes FOREVER to get in. All of my work experience has been with the State of California government. I would like to at least TRY the corporate world. But, I would be happy staying in the public sector because I at least know what to expect.</p>
<p>I know in California and the feds it usually says work experience OR a degree for those "entry" level IT jobs. And if you go with the feds a master's degree is a plus because you get more money.</p>
<p>What would you like to focus on as a career in IT? Maybe, I could help you narrow down some degree programs and find a less costly degree.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info. I appreciate the help. I am looking to focus in Applied Information Economics. Since most of my work has been in Economic policy/Public Finance research, I wouldn't mind setting myself up for a future career in IT for a Federal Reserve, SEC branch, Economic Development corporation, etc. </p>
<p>Now, when you meant that it takes FOREVER to to get into IT, what did you mean? That I would have to wait a long time before getting hired, even in the public sector?! </p>
<p>The private is nice, and I would love to work for a consulting or investment firm in the future but I really want to get my experience from the public sector first. </p>
<p>It's good news to hear that I can find work in the government sector without extensive work experience and a Masters degree.</p>
<p>What I meant by taking forever to get into the public sector is the background checks, getting picked up off a list, and waiting to see if you are even qualified for the job. I've never actually seen a degree program that combined economics and information management. If you have please let me know. I could maybe see you doing database management. I really don't know what IT career that would fit into.</p>
<p>Database management wouldn't be so bad. Applied Information Economics is very new and will not be available as a degree, but maybe a concentration in a Masters program. </p>
<p>So you're essentially saying that it's easier to find a government job with little experience but it's harder to break into it? The public sectors is a little more picky about hiring the right person rather than seeking qualifications?</p>
<p>Yes, it's hard to get a government position. Just my opinion, but it probably would be easier to get in with less experience because you are getting paid less and is costing the company less money.</p>
<p>Do you have a permanent position with the feds? If so, how long did it take?</p>
<p>Oh no. I wish it was permanent. The Federal gigs were just summer internships. The only part time experience that I had that was close to permanent was with Public Policy think tanks. </p>
<p>So how much less would I expect from the government to start off with? 50K, 60K?</p>
<p>Less..I don't know. But I know starting is around $50k with a master's depending on location. I guess it does suck because you have to have a master's just to get that salary which is comparable to just having a bachelor's. I don't know what the starting salary would be corporate vs feds with a master's. Raises may also be crappy compared to the corporate world though.</p>
<p>Wow, only 50K? I had no idea it would be that low. I am guessing that Work Experieince is everything then. I am surprised that with a Masters you cannot ask for at least 60.</p>
<p>Yeah, I don't know depends on what you want. I doubt it would be much more in the corporate world without "relevant, full time work experience". Government vs corporate work: Perks may be way better in the corporate world, but I doubt you would work more than 40 hours a week and your pretty much guaranteed to never be fired or laid off by sticking with the government. It's just getting in that's the hard part.</p>
<p>But like you I'm curious to find out the starting salary for no full time work experience and a master's degree in the corporate world for certain IT specialties. The statistics say a master's is worth more...but I don't know if that holds true for careers in IT.</p>
<p>Well, I don't know if this is relevant but a friend of mine found work with Schlumberger not too long ago and he's making about 60k, probably more. He received his bachelors from a university in Lebanon and his Masters in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University. He went straight into a masters program from his BA and had 0 work experience before getting hired. </p>
<p>I don't know if it had to do with company or his Ivy Masters degree but overall he made out ok, if you consider 60k after Masters to be ok.</p>
<p>I don't know. I'll keep in touch to let you know about the job hunting game since I'm already in master's program and will be done in the summer or fall of next year. Let me know if you pursue a master's degree. Good luck!</p>
<p>P.S. I had to get a new name. My other account is acting weird.</p>