<p>Hi Folks,</p>
<p>The admission decisions have started to come in and thankfully I got admission into more than one programs. I have got admission into MS program in Columbia university Management Science and Engineering course which is a collaboration between Columbia IEOR department and Columbia Business School and another one is MS+PhD program in Computer Engineering in Delaware University with specialization in requirements engineering.</p>
<p>Let me give few details about my background. I have a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and then I worked in the software industry for almost 9 years as a software developer and later as a quality engineer for software product based company Adobe Systems, Calif. At this junction, I have two career paths:</p>
<ol>
<li>Either join the Financial industry or consulting jobs in New York</li>
<li>Taking the path of Software Quality Jobs in California</li>
</ol>
<p>I am not sure whether the Columbia MS & E course is suitable for getting into the Finance domain since I do not have prior experience working in the Financial Industry. Or is there Columbia MS & E can land me in a program/product management job in the software product based companies? On the other hand, I would like to know whether a Phd in requirements engineering is worth getting a job in the product based companies like Microsoft, Adobe etc. My main concern is whether spending 5 years of time for doing PhD in Requirements engineering is going to give me good job opportunities.</p>
<p>For Columbia, I have to pay the huge tuition fee from my pocket whereas in Delaware, I am getting full scholarship. While Columbia costs money, Delaware Phd costs time. </p>
<p>I am totally undecided between these two choices. Can anyone put their thoughts across for a better career choice for me?</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>SP</p>