Should I go for a Master's in IS w/ no IT background?

Discussion in 'IT and Computer-Related Degrees' started by Hrothgar, Aug 15, 2013.

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  1. Hrothgar

    Hrothgar New Member

    Brothers and sisters, I'm in a dilemma. I don't know what to do.

    I have been accepted into a master's in IS at KSU (2nd tier university in GA). I've even registered for the Fall semester courses. I haven't made any payments yet, though.

    My background bares no connection with IT. I majored in music (lol), then completed a master's in Education (in bulls*hit I should say). All of this was in my native country, Spain. I've got 3 years of work experience in the teaching field, 2 of them teaching Spanish here in the US.

    I've been reading opinions about IS, concerning the fact that a master's in IS will not really teach you much about "computers", and that most IS graduates end up doing tech support jobs. The subjects I'll be taking are such as:
    -Informatics
    -Legal & Ethical Issues in IS
    -Enterprise Process Models
    -Emerging technologies
    -Global IS Management
    -IS Policy & Strategy
    -IT leadership
    -Information Security Administration


    Most of it sounds like hogwash. Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't wanna waste my time and money on useless, redundant knowledge with no application in the real world. Should I go ahead and do this? Is this going to be a murky investment with a scarce payoff?

    Thanks.
     
  2. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    I would not recommend your educational background to Master degree in IS. I would recommend you to start IT jobs (help desk, technical supports) to earn your experience. Engage into IT certifications:

    Cisco: CCNA, CCNP, CCIE
    Security: CompTIA Security+, CISSP, GIAC, CEH
    Systems: Unix, Linux, Windows

    Setup your own lab, theory can be pick up from reading and technical skills from work experience or home lab.

    A master degree will not help to move any forward, or guarantee you a job at senior level. You'll be surprise that some Tech guys with a degree in Psychology or sociology, or even business administration. A degree is just a check mark.

    One of the program that I would recommend you is Georgia Institute of Technology's Online Master of Computer Science through Udacity.com and partnership with AT&T. The program is less than $7,000.00
     
  3. ryoder

    ryoder New Member

    I think the masters level concepts are so broad that you won't really appreciate them until you have a few years on the job.
    Help desk and tech support don't pay well because almost anyone can do those with minimal training so I would not recommend starting there.
    I would pick a hardcore technology and develop some skills in it. Then get an entry level job doing that.
    * programming (this is where I got my start)
    * network engineering
    * systems administration
    * hard-core infosec
    * database management

    Once you have 15 years of programming experience you can move into management and that MS MIS will make more sense.
     
  4. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    With your background, you may be a better fit for a program in educational/instructional technology. Would it interest you to build online training, help faculty member use technology, and that sort of thing?
     
  5. Hrothgar

    Hrothgar New Member

    Well, first off, thanks a lot for the responses and the help. :)

    Ryoder, where do you recommend that I get training in the areas you've suggested?

    SteveFoerster, my main goal with this master's was to learn new skills that would let me do something other than teaching. With my current background there's really not much else I can do. And no, I wouldn't really like to wind up being a teacher of informatics...

    In general, my main concern is: do you think that it would help me any to do this master's? In what position would it leave me to find a job in the field of IS? Is it worth it investing around $20.000 in it?
     
  6. ChloeJason

    ChloeJason member

    I would not suggest your academic qualifications to Expert level in IS. I would suggest you to begin IT tasks help table, specialized supports to generate your encounter. Interact with into IT certifications: . Like CCNA , CCNP
     
  7. loun80

    loun80 New Member

    Hello TEKMAN,

    The Georgia Institute of Technology's Online Master of Computer Science was a great recommendation. I was wondering if you knew of any more online degrees which offer similar courses.
     

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