how useful is a msc in cs for a non future code monkey
April 3, 2010 9:52 PM Subscribe
How useful will a MSc in computer science be if I don't intend to make a living via programming? I need to make a decision by this Monday.
What can you do with a MSc in CS that isn't programming?
I'm asking for the following reasons: I am currently in college, but have the chance to do a MSc in CS for one year. So I need to decide by this upcoming Monday (two days' time) whether to graduate.
The alternative is not graduating, and spending next year taking undergrad courses in other interesting and possibly practical things like more CS, economics, finance, languages, etc. -- but I won't get any extra piece of paper saying that I have a Master's degree in anything.
My concerns are:
1) My B.A. degree is in philosophy, which is perhaps not the most immediately employable degree around by itself
2) I do not want to do law or go into academia, public policy, etc.
3) After I graduate, I have to fulfill a contract (long story, do not wish to explain here) and work in journalism for six years.
4) However, journalism is sort of like a sinking ship, and if anything bad happens to my job or if I want a career change for any other reason, I need to be able to go somewhere and do something else in order to survive.
5) A MSc in CS seems practical, since CS skills will be useful in various places. Also, merely having a MSc will probably give rise to more opportunities than just having a humanities BA.
6) However, as I said earlier, this MSc will be at the expense of other equally useful courses, albeit at an undergrad level. Also, I am interested enough in CS to spend some time on it, but have absolutely no desire to be a professional programmer. Nor some sort of CS theoretician. Assume that my interest level with respect to CS == my interest level in the undergraduate classes I would be taking in its place. The former will give me depth in one area, a postgraduate qualification, and a better starting salary; the latter will give me slightly greater breadth.
So, fast forward to six years later. Assuming I now have six years of journalism experience under my belt and a B.A. in philosophy, how useful will a MSc in CS be to me at this juncture, given the situation above? I may want to switch careers. Does the six years of work experience decrease the usefulness/importance of the MSc? Would I be better off doing the extra year of undergrad instead?
At this point in time, I don't know what career I would want to switch to, so maybe you guys might be able to give me some suggestions too. I acknowledge that I can't predict what careers will go into fashion in future. However, it is a safe bet to say that the employability prospects of philosophy majors who hold just B.A.s and don't want to become lawyers or professors are traditionally not very dazzling, so it is probably wise to pick up other skills and knowledge.
I would especially love to hear from Mefites who have MScs in computer science or related fields and have done something else with their degree (i.e., something besides one of the careers I vetoed above) -- or who know people like that. But all comments are welcomed and greatly appreciated!
What can you do with a MSc in CS that isn't programming?
I'm asking for the following reasons: I am currently in college, but have the chance to do a MSc in CS for one year. So I need to decide by this upcoming Monday (two days' time) whether to graduate.
The alternative is not graduating, and spending next year taking undergrad courses in other interesting and possibly practical things like more CS, economics, finance, languages, etc. -- but I won't get any extra piece of paper saying that I have a Master's degree in anything.
My concerns are:
1) My B.A. degree is in philosophy, which is perhaps not the most immediately employable degree around by itself
2) I do not want to do law or go into academia, public policy, etc.
3) After I graduate, I have to fulfill a contract (long story, do not wish to explain here) and work in journalism for six years.
4) However, journalism is sort of like a sinking ship, and if anything bad happens to my job or if I want a career change for any other reason, I need to be able to go somewhere and do something else in order to survive.
5) A MSc in CS seems practical, since CS skills will be useful in various places. Also, merely having a MSc will probably give rise to more opportunities than just having a humanities BA.
6) However, as I said earlier, this MSc will be at the expense of other equally useful courses, albeit at an undergrad level. Also, I am interested enough in CS to spend some time on it, but have absolutely no desire to be a professional programmer. Nor some sort of CS theoretician. Assume that my interest level with respect to CS == my interest level in the undergraduate classes I would be taking in its place. The former will give me depth in one area, a postgraduate qualification, and a better starting salary; the latter will give me slightly greater breadth.
So, fast forward to six years later. Assuming I now have six years of journalism experience under my belt and a B.A. in philosophy, how useful will a MSc in CS be to me at this juncture, given the situation above? I may want to switch careers. Does the six years of work experience decrease the usefulness/importance of the MSc? Would I be better off doing the extra year of undergrad instead?
At this point in time, I don't know what career I would want to switch to, so maybe you guys might be able to give me some suggestions too. I acknowledge that I can't predict what careers will go into fashion in future. However, it is a safe bet to say that the employability prospects of philosophy majors who hold just B.A.s and don't want to become lawyers or professors are traditionally not very dazzling, so it is probably wise to pick up other skills and knowledge.
I would especially love to hear from Mefites who have MScs in computer science or related fields and have done something else with their degree (i.e., something besides one of the careers I vetoed above) -- or who know people like that. But all comments are welcomed and greatly appreciated!
Response by poster: paulsc: I agree that having the paper qualification would impress a future employer more than just undergraduate coursework in those fields. But I wouldn't say that I'd be "screwing around" as an undergraduate -- I would be taking courses in finance and cs. The finance courses especially would help me with my work (business journalism, ideally) and that might look good to future employers too, possibly? Hence my dilemma...
posted by swimmingly at 10:14 PM on April 3, 2010
posted by swimmingly at 10:14 PM on April 3, 2010
I suppose a MS in CS could be helpful for technical liaison positions, like technical writing, determining client requirements and technical sales positions.
Of course, if you're doing tech journalism, having a degree in CS could be very helpful. If you're doing 6 years of journalism in a non-tech related capacity, I would think that your career would branch from that experience rather than a Masters in a field that you don't want to do any professional practice in. If you didn't have a journalism tour of duty, what would you want to do instead?
posted by demiurge at 10:18 PM on April 3, 2010
Of course, if you're doing tech journalism, having a degree in CS could be very helpful. If you're doing 6 years of journalism in a non-tech related capacity, I would think that your career would branch from that experience rather than a Masters in a field that you don't want to do any professional practice in. If you didn't have a journalism tour of duty, what would you want to do instead?
posted by demiurge at 10:18 PM on April 3, 2010
I know a few jouranalists that segued into librarianship, with the masters you would better able to get into the systems side where there will likely be a shortage of people with both soft communication and hard technical skills. Sadly, in a lot of libraries there is no need to be cutting edge with your actual technical skills however, as there aren't a lot of vendors and most are producing bad product (IMHO).
posted by saucysault at 11:13 PM on April 3, 2010
posted by saucysault at 11:13 PM on April 3, 2010
Best answer: "... The finance courses especially would help me with my work (business journalism, ideally) and that might look good to future employers too, possibly? Hence my dilemma..."
posted by swimmingly at 1:14 AM on April 4
I can't, in good conscience, agree that additional undergrad courses, especially ones you took 6 years ago, at the point your journalism obligation is worked off, are going to mean anything to a prospective employer. Even if you get A+ grades and extra credit, in all of them. That's because, a prospective future employer, picking from a pile of BA candidates, some with degrees in philosophy, and extra undergrad hours, and others with Master's degrees in practical disciplines, are going to recognize that finishing a Master's degree takes about 150% of the effort of doing an equivalent number of undergrad hours, and take the candidate with the MSc, who is willing to work for the same specified price and perqs as the well rounded person with a BA, and lots of extra credit... Doing the MSc in a single year is tough, and therefore, high risk.
OTOH, if you're really all that enamored of the other undergrad courses, you can probably always find someone to work for, who is willing to pay you a lot less than if you'd done the MSc, and compliment you, regularly, on your "well roundedness." I've seen it happen, for years, in marketing, sales and operations jobs, in large corporations in America, with people who weren't comfortable, ever, risking anything.
posted by paulsc at 11:42 PM on April 3, 2010
posted by swimmingly at 1:14 AM on April 4
I can't, in good conscience, agree that additional undergrad courses, especially ones you took 6 years ago, at the point your journalism obligation is worked off, are going to mean anything to a prospective employer. Even if you get A+ grades and extra credit, in all of them. That's because, a prospective future employer, picking from a pile of BA candidates, some with degrees in philosophy, and extra undergrad hours, and others with Master's degrees in practical disciplines, are going to recognize that finishing a Master's degree takes about 150% of the effort of doing an equivalent number of undergrad hours, and take the candidate with the MSc, who is willing to work for the same specified price and perqs as the well rounded person with a BA, and lots of extra credit... Doing the MSc in a single year is tough, and therefore, high risk.
OTOH, if you're really all that enamored of the other undergrad courses, you can probably always find someone to work for, who is willing to pay you a lot less than if you'd done the MSc, and compliment you, regularly, on your "well roundedness." I've seen it happen, for years, in marketing, sales and operations jobs, in large corporations in America, with people who weren't comfortable, ever, risking anything.
posted by paulsc at 11:42 PM on April 3, 2010
Do the MSc in CS. You'll be lucky if your non-Oxbridge British MSc even covers the undergrad material from better universities.
I feel like programming is necessary for your degree to retain value. Any more management oriented degree like computer information systems will degrade faster.
AI might best fit your philosophy background. You'll probably like AI related programming, assuming you liked analytical philosophy. An AI MSc might even make you philosophy degree look more relevant.
Do either tech journalism itself or the technical side of normal journalism. All journalism has considerable need for web developers today. But even cryptography and security are becoming more important in "real" journalism, partially through the actions of wikileaks.
posted by jeffburdges at 2:52 AM on April 4, 2010 [1 favorite]
I feel like programming is necessary for your degree to retain value. Any more management oriented degree like computer information systems will degrade faster.
AI might best fit your philosophy background. You'll probably like AI related programming, assuming you liked analytical philosophy. An AI MSc might even make you philosophy degree look more relevant.
Do either tech journalism itself or the technical side of normal journalism. All journalism has considerable need for web developers today. But even cryptography and security are becoming more important in "real" journalism, partially through the actions of wikileaks.
posted by jeffburdges at 2:52 AM on April 4, 2010 [1 favorite]
There are lots of IT jobs (the majority in fact) which don't involve programming.
There are lots of employers who don't care which subjects you study as long as you have that bit of paper.
So I say do the MSC.
posted by Lanark at 6:50 AM on April 4, 2010
There are lots of employers who don't care which subjects you study as long as you have that bit of paper.
So I say do the MSC.
posted by Lanark at 6:50 AM on April 4, 2010
Best answer: I say do the MSc. There are loads of jobs in IT that don't directly mean being a coder, but having the ability *to* code, or to read others' code, and to understand things like data structures will help you out and give you credibility. Also, if you worked outside of the department yet understand those weirdos in IT, that is hugely helpful. (Also? I used to work for someone who had a BA in philosophy. Great IT manager. I think people who think in non-traditionally hardcore CS ways are massively helpful to have in IT organizations.)
And as someone currently doing a BA and looking at grad school for afters, who doesn't have time to take all the cool courses those jerks keep putting on the schedule, wishes she really did, is trying really fricking hard to keep on target -- you can always go back and get a second bachelor's or just take classes for fun later.
As for the six years in journalism -- I don't think journalism per se is circling the drain, though print media are suffering. Learning the tools for investigation and impartiality, and the mechanics of the field, will also be hugely useful. Six years will go by before you know it. And at the end, you'll be trained in three fields (if you get the MSc), and I think you'll have great opportunities and really be able to find something you like. Good luck!
posted by sldownard at 7:20 AM on April 4, 2010
And as someone currently doing a BA and looking at grad school for afters, who doesn't have time to take all the cool courses those jerks keep putting on the schedule, wishes she really did, is trying really fricking hard to keep on target -- you can always go back and get a second bachelor's or just take classes for fun later.
As for the six years in journalism -- I don't think journalism per se is circling the drain, though print media are suffering. Learning the tools for investigation and impartiality, and the mechanics of the field, will also be hugely useful. Six years will go by before you know it. And at the end, you'll be trained in three fields (if you get the MSc), and I think you'll have great opportunities and really be able to find something you like. Good luck!
posted by sldownard at 7:20 AM on April 4, 2010
To HR, a degree's a degree. The guys hiring in IT, for admins, techs, analysts and programmers, what you know and what you've done recently are more important. Skills not only obsolete quickly, they get rusty with disuse as well.
For other fields, like sales, financial analysis, project management, an advanced degree, especially a MS in a "practical" field, is enough to get your foot in the door, and on track for a position with more responsibilities than a regular schmoe off the street, should the journalism thing not shake out for you. Also, work experience in unrelated fields is often seen as a plus - if you've got six years of good work and a solid rep as a journalist under your belt, you can use that as another lever to pry open a position in another field.
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:50 AM on April 4, 2010 [1 favorite]
For other fields, like sales, financial analysis, project management, an advanced degree, especially a MS in a "practical" field, is enough to get your foot in the door, and on track for a position with more responsibilities than a regular schmoe off the street, should the journalism thing not shake out for you. Also, work experience in unrelated fields is often seen as a plus - if you've got six years of good work and a solid rep as a journalist under your belt, you can use that as another lever to pry open a position in another field.
posted by Slap*Happy at 8:50 AM on April 4, 2010 [1 favorite]
In the US, unless you are in a purely academic environment, a degree is a degree. I think this is really odd, but just shrug and enjoy it. So does the guy with a Fisheries degree working at a programming job that requires a degree. Maybe they think a degree proves you can learn _something_ which at least puts you above people who may or may not be able to learn things...
posted by meepmeow at 11:25 AM on April 4, 2010
posted by meepmeow at 11:25 AM on April 4, 2010
Best answer: You probably should focus your attentions on finding out what you love and hate to do and use education as a tool to get you there, rather than pursuing a 'useful' degree. For a long time, I though I wanted to be a lawyer and then I drove to a prestigious law school, visited their bookstore and asked myself 'would I want to read these books and be with these people for the next few years?' I realized I didn't and that a legal education would have been a waste.
So, sit in on some of the classes that you would be taking. If they are large classes, you probably don't even need permission. Then, ask yourself if they might help you get to where you want to go and (in my opinion more importantly) whether you love the ideas and people involved. Personally, if my education was in academic computer science, I'm not sure I would even be a programmer at this point. On the other hand, some hand-on programming experience with Basic and Logo when I was young fired up my enthusiasm to be a programmer.
Emailing some people working as programmers and asking them what they do and how they got there might be helpful for you also.
Whichever path you choose, spend a lot of time learning technologies. Learn how to compile and write programs and eventually how to use an IDE. Spend spare time during those six(!) years refining your technical skills (and personally, I'd run that 'contract' by a lawyer...always good to know your options). A couple of places to start: work with a scripting language like Groovy, PHP or Python, get odd jobs setting up websites and when you get more competent bid for projects on sites like Rentacoder, consider a subscription to Safari Books or read tech books at the school library. At first you will probably run into a lot for frustrations (dealing with classpaths, IDEs...). If you make it past them and find you enjoy creating programs, it's probably a career you'll love.
My personal experience: I have a doctorate in Sociology and I'm working as a Java EE programmer. To get there, my sole college-level eduction was a Java course, a database course and years of reading and lots of hands on projects. Though a lot of companies find a computer degree to be important, an increasing number recognize that relevant hands on experience and creatively are at least as valuable as a degree.
posted by cmccormick at 12:31 PM on April 4, 2010
So, sit in on some of the classes that you would be taking. If they are large classes, you probably don't even need permission. Then, ask yourself if they might help you get to where you want to go and (in my opinion more importantly) whether you love the ideas and people involved. Personally, if my education was in academic computer science, I'm not sure I would even be a programmer at this point. On the other hand, some hand-on programming experience with Basic and Logo when I was young fired up my enthusiasm to be a programmer.
Emailing some people working as programmers and asking them what they do and how they got there might be helpful for you also.
Whichever path you choose, spend a lot of time learning technologies. Learn how to compile and write programs and eventually how to use an IDE. Spend spare time during those six(!) years refining your technical skills (and personally, I'd run that 'contract' by a lawyer...always good to know your options). A couple of places to start: work with a scripting language like Groovy, PHP or Python, get odd jobs setting up websites and when you get more competent bid for projects on sites like Rentacoder, consider a subscription to Safari Books or read tech books at the school library. At first you will probably run into a lot for frustrations (dealing with classpaths, IDEs...). If you make it past them and find you enjoy creating programs, it's probably a career you'll love.
My personal experience: I have a doctorate in Sociology and I'm working as a Java EE programmer. To get there, my sole college-level eduction was a Java course, a database course and years of reading and lots of hands on projects. Though a lot of companies find a computer degree to be important, an increasing number recognize that relevant hands on experience and creatively are at least as valuable as a degree.
posted by cmccormick at 12:31 PM on April 4, 2010
> You'll probably like AI related programming, assuming you liked analytical philosophy.
...and if you preferred Continental, you can brand yourself as a Cognitive Scientist with CS and Philosophy.
posted by fcummins at 3:15 PM on April 4, 2010
...and if you preferred Continental, you can brand yourself as a Cognitive Scientist with CS and Philosophy.
posted by fcummins at 3:15 PM on April 4, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
An MSc you don't "use" for six years, in a fast changing field like computer science, isn't going to be that impressive to a future employer, but it will be a lot more impressive, with six years of unrelated journalistic work experience, than a bunch more undergrad courses in subjects you currently find interesting, and the same 6 year work experience.
If you're stuck doing six years of journalism after the next year, and your only options are doing the MSc, or screwing around for the next year as an undergrad, do the MSc.
posted by paulsc at 10:06 PM on April 3, 2010