Hello everyone, I did my BSCIS from Excelsior/Regents in 1998 and have been a full time software analyst/developer/engineer for the past 7 years (yep, I started one year before graduation). Barring offshoring sentiments aside, I want to continue improving myself. I have pondered several choices and here they are: (1) Certifications, such as Java Architect, Oracle, MCSE, etc (2) Master's in Computer Science/Information Systems or (3) Master's in some sort of Management (least favorite). What do readers/veterans recommend?
My opinion is to go for the MS in Management than the MS in CS, and last the certs. The certs expire. I got my MCSE on NT4.0 and it was announced to expire several months later. My boss had an MS in CS for 1980 and that never expired. But if you pick up a cert without that being your only focus that would be helpful. The MS in CS will not help if jobs get out sourced. See the section of an article from CIO Mag below. http://www2.cio.com/analyst/report2339.html While this is not good news for generic programmers or systems maintenance or call center staff, it represents an opportunity for more business-focused technical talent. The fact that lower tier jobs move offshore will have a significant, long-term effect on what organizations look like in the future and on their future use of technology. What matters — and the new source of competitive distinction — is management and integration between organizations at the business process level. Exemplifying this replacement of one kind of IT job with another, IBM is outsourcing 3,000 programming and maintenance jobs to India, but it is also looking for 4,500 new employees to work with customers on business process consulting and implementation projects, among other higher-end functions. Since this is a subject that requires much more detail than I have provided here, my next column will be dedicated entirely to this outsourcing issue. If it is just for self improvement, ask yourself waht you want. The certs would be easier and faster than a degree. Hope this does not sound like rambling.
certs are no replacement for Masters or any other degree. A degree is a degree and will last your lifetime.
Certification vs. Masters I probably would go for Masters degree in Management and stay away from Computer Science in the current situation. The future of Computer Science is very murky due to outsourcing. This should be the last degree that one should attain in today's market. You will see the trend of less and less people studying computer science. I heard that there is a drop of 23% in admission in USA. I think it is a significant drop. If you are in a process of reinventing yourself being a computer professional then the red hot degree is Information Security. You won't go wrong for few years given the demand of Information Security Professional. The one I like is MSc in Information Security from University of London but it is expensive. I didn't like the one from Charles Sturt University (Australia) due to course structure. There is a great lack of encryption, cryptography, security management practice etc. In case of certification, you should go for high end certifications which do not expire but require to maintain certain Continuing Education Unit (CEU) like CISSP, CISA, PMP etc. There are certain certifications from Comptia which is for life. For instance, IT Project+ (the only available certification for IT Project Management). PMP is a generic Project Management Certification which covers from Construction Project Management to anything but IT Project+ is laser focused on IT Project Management. I was told that this was developed by Gartner Research and then handed over to Comptia to administer the test.
Tarbuza, Extract below from the CompTIA website. As a PMP and an IT Project Manager I faced the same questions. The PMP is an industry standard. The certification from CompTIA will help in maintaining your PMP but is not a substitute. Additionally several universities will grant up to 6 semester hours towards a masters degree if you have the PMP. I think you are right on with the CISSP. The Career and Organizational Benefits of CompTIA IT Project+ Certification — a Q&A Q: The PMP certification is the gold standard for project managers. How does IT Project+ certification dovetail? A: Because IT Project+ certifies knowledge mastery equivalent to 2,000-hours project-management experience, the certification stands at roughly the midway point to PMP’s 4,500 hour requirement. IT Project+ certification provides an independent validation that the project manager has mastered the foundation-level concepts applicable to IT and traditional projects. Those PMPs looking for a refresher opportunity and insights from the best current thinking about the needs of IT projects should consider studying for and earning IT Project+ certification. This educational effort can support the PMP continuing certification requirements.
Certification vs. Masters Thanks Fed for further clarifying PMP vs. IT Project+ There is another certification by Comptia called Security+ which I think is a subset of CISSP. Here is the article which shows the drop in admission. http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/business/national/8266729.htm I was told by my European friends that European Universities have also witnessed a significant drop. I don't blame them. Who will want to acquire a skillset which will be outsourced to cheap labors? It's a waste of time, money etc. As I mentioned earlier, right now, Information Security is a red hot degree. This will remain at least for few years.
I thank everyone for their recommendations. I do have the following comments, however. When I started the thread, I hinted at the fact that I am not so pessimistic about IT outsourcing...and I just wanted to know if people recommend Certifications or Master's for someone who already has a Bachelor's in Computer Science/Information Systems. The general response has been (1) stay away from Computer Science, because all jobs are being outsourced right now (2) get a degree in Information Security, thats next hot ticket and/or (3) get a Master's in Management, it won't expire, but certifications will, besides certifications are technical and those jobs are moving away. I have a fairly extensive experience as a Software Developer/Analyst - around 8 years in midtown-Manhattan. While, I do see outsourcing happening, its not happening for every single new project that companies are undertaking. When the project is of a certain size, it does make financial sense to outsource it; however until the projects are of that size, outsourcing makes no sense - the overhead involved is not worth the effort. The overhead is the middle man, the outsourcing company that does take a big cut out of the total profit made from outsourcing projects. So why do people think that IT is doomed and all projects are going to India? (1) Overblowing by Media (they need things to print), (2) General (cyclical?) economic downturn and (3) Dotcom burst. Companies are simply very cautious to hire new people in this market. They are either holding strongly onto their current IT people and engaging them in more than one project simultaneously. For large projects, and in which companies can afford it (to pay the middle man), they are going for outsourcing. They have shedded the extra fat by getting rid of people who didn't deserve the jobs in the first place -- those who majored in CS because it was the "hot ticket" but had no knack for it. I do agree, many unfortunate deserved people are getting out of the loop - but that has more to do with general economic downturn - not because everything is going to India. If you believe that a degree gets you the job, you're wrong (read "Wh color is my Parachute?"). I know it from experience. Getting a degree in Information Security won't get you anywhere long-term if you don't have knack for it. You might get hired, but you'll be shedded pretty fast as extra fat when employers discover you actually don't have a knack for it, you just have a degree in it. Those who really have a "knack" on anything know what I mean. From direct experience I know of two people, both of whom are recognized security experts in US, a person who owns a security firm in Manhattan (www.razorpointsecurity.com) and a very young security genius who even wrote a book on the subject (www.ejovi.net) - both of whom have no college degree. When it comes to choosing a security expert whom do you think the company is going to hire, you, with an Msc in Information Security or one of these people who really have a knack for it? I know most of us are mere mortals and not celebrities, so we have to prove ourselves with degrees and such...but to do something when you have no interest in it, just because it gets you the job...that I think will result in something similar to those "web-developers" who lost their jobs in the dotcom bust and now blame everything on India...because they can't get jobs anymore. I apologize for ranting on so long, but I really liked the fact that people gave some thought to my request for recommendation. I especially liked the PMP and a Management program (though, I admit, I have a more technical bend) recommendations.
Just a quick addendum. If you visited www.ejovi.net and see that he is attending Harvard; he is attending Harvard now - AFTER - already being an accomplished security expert and AFTER having written the book and being a security expert in some Fortune 500 companies. The book I was referring to is "What color is your Parachute?" - I forgot the authorname.
Daniel, If you are interested in job security a PMP will get you a job. I aquired a PMP because of its unique status and applicability to what I do for a living. Go to www.PMI.org to take a look. A Masters in management is always a good thing to have. Look around and you can find several in almost any concentration including IT Security related fields. MBAs are also available with concentrations. Outsourcing is here to stay so my recommendation is to broaden your technical base with management. Like you I have a technical bend (more of a straight line actually) in my experience base. I believe (and just my opinion) that a Masters will serve you well. A search on Monster.com will bear out the desire for applicants with graduate degrees. I agree with etech and Tarbuza; certs are no substitute for degrees. Which is why I am pursuing a PhD/Business in MIS.
Certifications vs. Masters Fed, Do you know a site which presents a sample for documenting ones Project Management experience? As per the PMP site, one needs to have 7500 hours of experience. Daniel, I already placed an order for a book - What color is your Parachute? Thanks.
Tarbuza, The PMP Handbook can be found at: http://www.pmi.org/info/PDC_PMPHandbookFile.asp It outlines the criteria, etc... there are multiple categories so the 7500 hours may not apply to your circumstances. The form is on-line now to document and apply to sit for the exam. The various areas that you must satisfy are laid out in the form. Holler back or PM if you need anything else.
Your are right but if you think a cert will get you a job, you are wrong. Many MCSE, MCDBA, CCNA, CCDP's can not find work. The first round of the screening process is usually into two piles. Pile one - degree and Pile two - no degree. I think an MBA/MS in Management will give you the most versatility. Outsourcing is not killing everyone but an MS could not hurt.
Randell, While I agree with your position regarding degrees versus certs if you do a search on Monster.com for "PMP" I believe you will find many positions that want/require a PMP without a degree requirement. There are also degree positions that require a PMP. Of course there is no guarantee that any individual will get a job with either a degree or a certification. The problem with the certs you mention is that they are very narrowly focused, a PMP is not. Additionally, "PMI is recognized as a Standards Development Organization by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the PMBOK® Guide has been approved as an American National Standard by ANSI (ANSI/PMI 99-001-2000). The PMBOK® Guide also is recognized by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) as an IEEE standard. In addition, it is used as an underlying reference in an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Report on managing software projects." When comparing certs, degrees, etc... routinely utility has been the measurement. A broad based certification (PMP) seems to me to have more utility than the Microsoft or Cisco certs. However, none are a substitute for experience or a degree. You cannot sit for the PMP without documenting experience, can the same be said of the MCSE etc...?
And just for grins a position with Microsoft where the PMP is a plus: "The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 8 years working experience in consulting, client/project management, high-end professional services business development or relevant management experience. A BA/BS degree or equivalent work experience is required. A Masters Degree is preferred. Microsoft Business Solutions certifications, PMP certifications are a plus. Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and strongly supports diversity in the workforce. "
Everyone has recommended me Master's degree for advancement in career (Master's in Management seemed to be the most popular recommendation). I have looked into the University of London's MBA program and I liked it. Can people tell me how well is this MBA received in the USA? Can anyone recommend me any other good MA/MS program in Management that is not more expensive than London's (London's is about 20K for the 3-5 year program - not too bad - but I can not exceed this in any conceivable way).
The MS-ITM from Touro University International is $10,800 ($300X36 credits) the MBA would be $13,200 ($300X44 credits) and that includes everything, not books are needed. The 30 credit MBA from California State Univ is even cheaper...$300 per credit totals $9,000 plus books. Amberton University MBA is 36 credits at $200 per credits totaling $7,200 Here is another site that lists 282 online MBA's. Costs will vary- http://programs.gradschools.com/distance/mba.html Good luck
