MLS = Man, Life Sucks

January 5, 2009 5:36 PM

Should I/how do I propose the idea of getting a masters degree to my boss?

I have been working as a programmer at a state organization for a year and a half. It's my first job out of college. As jobs go, it's great, even though I quietly feel underworked. I have always intended to go to grad school at some point, most likely towards an MLS or MIS. (A little family and peer pressure mixed in, too.) I graduated with a BA in computer science but I want to move away from the code monkey pit. My organization offers tuition reimbursement for two 3-hour courses a semester (!) at a mega-good state school down the street.

I'd need to propose the idea to my boss first. I have the feeling that asking in the wrong way could jinx my relations with him. Is a year and a half of employment too soon to pursue career advancement? My boss is using the same program to pursue a PhD, but he's been here since 2001. He only does one course a semester, which is what I would do as well...two courses + work = death.

If you can resolve the 'if' for me, there's still the 'how.' What do I say to my boss so it doesn't come across as 'I secretly hate you and this job.'?

posted by anonymous to education (7 comments total)

First off, any manager that thinks less of you for suggesting taking advantage of a program for continuing education is not a manager you want to work for. There is no reason they should get upset just at you offering a proposal. Now, they have every right to refuse or say that it will never happen, but that should not translate into a personal problem.

Now, what you need to do is figure out how a degree in MLS or MIS will help your current job. Even if your manager would support you pursuing an unrelated degree, the bean counters and upper management most likely won't go for it unless you have one of the most liberal tuition reimbursement programs I've ever seen. If you make his job easier, there's a better chance he'll pass your proposal onto the people that actually matter. Does your current position do anything to serve libraries? Can you spin a MIS degree as non-library-specific? Does your current position do anything with IT in general? Are there advancement opportunities that require an MLS or MIS degree? Think of it from a business perspective - if you can tell them why giving you $x for tuition results in a business profit of $y which is greater than x, you're 90% of the way there. The rest is just bureaucratic formalities and paperwork.
posted by saeculorum at 5:46 PM on January 5

As someone who is currently finishing up library/information school and also works in web development, I think that you can absolutely find ways to demonstrate that a library and information Master's program can take your skills as a programmer to the next level for your organization, not just by enhancing relevant practical skills, but also by giving you a strong theoretical background in information management. I think this is especially true in the case of MIS, but I suspect that if your school offers both MLS and MIS specializations, you may be able to mix coursework between the two to some extent in order to get a taste of both sides of the field.

Having that graduate-level information management background on both theoretical and practical levels could make you beneficial to your organization not just as a person who has valuable programming skills, but also as someone who can move beyond that one job function to provide services in database management, network administration, and a host of other good things. In any kind of state organization, especially with budgets the way they are right now, someone who can wear more than one hat is a valuable asset. I think the key is spinning this educational goal of yours as an opportunity to maximize your performance in your current job, while also making sure that you're making sure you have plenty to offer the organization in the future. If anything, I think this could be a chance to demonstrate that you're really committed to excelling in your job, rather than saying 'I secretly hate working here'.
posted by sarabeth at 6:16 PM on January 5

As long as you ask respectfully you should be fine. This is a benefit that is available to you (that your boss is using!) so as long as you don't frame it as going back to school so you can leave your current job you should be fine.

You could say something like: I am interested in pursuing an MLS or MIS using my tuition benefit. You don't really need to say anything else. Be open to negotiate on hours, expectations, etc. Really, the best employees are those who are interested in developing their skills, and I think that sarabeth makes some very strong arguments.

I have an MLS, and I can assure you that a CS undergrad degree + professional experience + an MLS will make your employment prospects fairly good on the job market.

Good luck and feel free to mefimail me if you'd like, even if you are anonymous here.
posted by rachelpapers at 7:54 PM on January 5

I can't help much on the how to pitch it part since I flat-out quit my code-monkeying job to go get an MLIS. I just wanted to echo the comment that a CS background will make many libraries very happy if you decide to pursue those sorts of jobs down the line. If you have questions about the CS->library transition, feel free to ask.
posted by kbuxton at 8:53 PM on January 5

My boss is using the same program to pursue a PhD

This is very easy. Go get some coffee with your boss, or otherwise organize an informal meeting. Ask about how he likes the PhD program. When he tells you about how great it is, tell him that you'd like to take advantage of the program as well, and need his advice. Ask him if you need a few more years of job experience first, or should jump in. Suggest that you would rather start with the MS program than a full PhD. Finally, bring up that you enjoy computer science, but are thinking about broadening your horizons so you can {have more fun, contribute more to the organization, create more benefit for mankind, etc.} and would like to know how far afield from CS you can go and still be cool.

This is a very easy conversation to have. You know your boss is engaged in the program, so it will be pretty trivial to flatter him and test the waters. You should get the warning signals well before expressing your interest, if he thinks the program isn't for you.

Is a year and a half of employment too soon to pursue career advancement?

Wrong way to think about it. If you haven't talked about career advancement ("what should I be doing to contribute maximally in my position" or similar BS) yet, you are already slacking. On day one you should be asking indirectly about what you can do to advance your career by better contributing. From time to time you should be looking for updates to make sure you are on track. Any manager who doesn't appreciate you asking these questions isn't worth working for, because he isn't doing his job!
posted by b1tr0t at 10:37 PM on January 5

If your boss is pursuing the program to get a PhD, you might want to start the conversation by asking your boss how he likes the program. Once you start talking about it and asking follow up questions, he'll probably reciprocate and ask if you've ever thought about doing graduate work (you can guide the conversation to this). Once he's broached the topic, I think you're in the clear: you can talk with him about the pros and cons of graduate work without ever asking for a favor or making a formal pitch.
posted by eisenkr at 10:42 PM on January 5

We offer tuition reimbursement because it's good for the company and the employee. Don't make this overly dramatic. Your boss will likely be happy to have you utilize the tuition benefit.
posted by 26.2 at 11:31 PM on January 5