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I have a CIS degree with certifications using memorization [testking], but no relevant work experience. Many employers ask for in-house work experience that I lack. I don't have any qualified recommendations for graduate school, should I try getting a MS degree in CS anyway or continue to do projects on my own?
You will not see ROI on getting a masters degree vs gaining real world experience. Suggest volunteering your IT skills at local businesses to help your experience level and build your resume.
I am in IT, I have not seen any real advantage of a masters degree in the IT field. Now if you want to go into management then it may help but for technical IT jobs, you should be fine with a BS and some job experience. I am Northern VA based which is one of (if not the) highest educated places in the US. I see people with Master's all the time sitting in cube farms making 50-60k less than I do.
Last edited by sportsterjohn; 03-06-2012 at 04:54 PM..
Reason: additional info
You will not see ROI on getting a masters degree vs gaining real world experience. Suggest volunteering your IT skills at local businesses to help your experience level and build your resume.
I could not disagree with you more. While education short term will not make up for lack of experience, an MBA type degree does provide you with the foundation needed for future success. It provides you the business acumen needed to overcome the glass ceiling that plagues many engineers. I would suggest the original poster continues working while attending an evening MBA program. This will be the best decision they ever make in their long-term career plan.
not many tech jobs out there period, at least where im at. got two guys in my dept with masters doing tech support.
if you go back for a masters i would get it in a better industry. too many people with IT degrees/experience floating around competing for the few positions that aren't going to indians.
I have a CIS degree with certifications using memorization [testking], but no relevant work experience. Many employers ask for in-house work experience that I lack. I don't have any qualified recommendations for graduate school, should I try getting a MS degree in CS anyway or continue to do projects on my own?
your own statement pretty much answers your question. Employers at this point is looking for experience - which you don't have. Getting a graduate degree isn't going to change that fact. So investing money (most of which you probably don't have) in this may not pay off in the short run.
My suggestion - as others have said, find experience however you can. Find opportunities to work for little money if necessary, but suck up as much knowledge as you can. And continue to look for more opportunities. Eventually - you'll have enough experience and hopefully find a place that will also pay for your graduate degree.
not many tech jobs out there period, at least where im at. got two guys in my dept with masters doing tech support.
if you go back for a masters i would get it in a better industry. too many people with IT degrees/experience floating around competing for the few positions that aren't going to indians.
THIS.
Seems like every I.T. department around here is turning into a Calcutta sweatshop. At my workplace they're so brazen that they don't even speak English at work anymore.
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