Should I quit my job for a Masters in CS??

College Majors Engineering Majors
1

<p>Situation: I graduated in EE and been working for about a year and a half but I am not doing anything with my degree at the moment (currently a manager at a chemical manufacturing plant). I am thinking of going back to a mediocre school to get my masters in CS. This would require me to quit my job and move 1500 miles. The only thing I am worried about is finding a job while I am going to school.</p>

<p>Question #1: Does it matter if I get a masters at an average school vs a competitive school? </p>

<p>Question #2: What benefit would I gain from getting my master's rather than applying for jobs in software development?</p>

2

<p>I don’t think you should quit your job and move. Why don’t find a job first around the school you want to attend, and then move.
Or you can find a school close to your current job and go there</p>

3

<p>Why would you quit your job and move 1500 miles to attend a mediocre school?</p>

4

<p>Yea this makes no sense. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Did you not like your EE work in school?</p></li>
<li><p>Are you telling me there is no college near you that has a CS degree masters less than 1500 miles away? </p></li>
</ol>

<p>What you should do is find a a new job in the city that you live in that has tuition reimbursement. Let them pay for your degree. There are dozens of accredited CS programs online that you can take. Find out if you need to take any remedial classes that you haven’t taken before.</p>

<p>If you just want the degree for a better job there is no need to move halfway across the country or trying to get into a super prestigious school.</p>

5

<p>[Computer</a> Science MS Degree | Stanford University Online](<a href=“http://scpd.stanford.edu/public/category/courseCategoryCertificateProfile.do?method=load&certificateId=1240861]Computer”>http://scpd.stanford.edu/public/category/courseCategoryCertificateProfile.do?method=load&certificateId=1240861)</p>

<p>I’m sure that you can find online programs at lesser schools too.</p>

6

<p>Yeah, from the information you have given, this is not a smart move. Online MS would be your best bet. My school has a great CS online program. </p>

<p>[Degrees</a> and Certificates, Engineering Online, College of Engineering,North Carolina State University](<a href=“http://engineeringonline.ncsu.edu/PS/grad_degrees.html]Degrees”>http://engineeringonline.ncsu.edu/PS/grad_degrees.html)</p>

7

<p>Every situation is unique, however I left a job for a top graduate program some 10 yrs ago and am still kicking myself.</p>

8

<p>Thank you for your replies. Main reason I want to leave is because the town is very small and not diverse. Also the university nearby does not offer night classes. I like the feel of going to class and not doing it online. I have learned a lot about myself moving over here because I was so comfortable in my zone and took certain things for granted. The mediocre school’s masters program would only cost $15,000 and I have family in that area. My sister swears that I can find a job there as long as I am physically there but it feels like a leap of faith to me.</p>

9

<p>How about looking for a job in the other or another area with a university in an area that you are comfortable with? When you have that other job, then start your MSCS. Giving up a secure job these days is quite risky unless you have another job in hand.</p>

10

<p>You mentioned that you are EE undergrad and you want to switch to CS ? Have you taken the pre-req needed for a CS masters ? That is something you might want to look into because you might have to take some extra classes. </p>

<p>What is your ultimate goal with a CS degree ? I don’t work in the software industry, so I am not sure how much a masters helps. But a masters might be a good way for a career transition.</p>