Suggestions for a IT newbie...Masters degree

I am thinking about going for Masters degree with an IT concentration to strengthen my resume.

Although I am not an IT person, I am a technical person, so I feel that it would be a good fit for me.

I plan to get an MBA and my PMP at some point in the next few years as well.

It seems that some IT experience would go nicely with those credentials.

There seem to be a few IT Master degrees out there suited for someone with little IT experience.

My question is more geared towards the type of IT program I should be looking for. Since I don't know much about the IT world and what is hot right now, I really don't know what I am looking for.

Can I get some help from a pro here?

Thanks.

 

Also, if those who reply could give me an idea of what the degree that you suggest can be applied to in the real world I would be very grateful.

 

I know it's a little weird to keep replying to your own thread, but...

I hope I didn't make it seem too complication.

Any input is more than welcomed!

 

Since you mentioned MBA and PMP, you may want to consider Aspen at $3k.

For what it's worth, there may be better programs out there - but the price is hard to beat.

Just trying to help.

Greg

 

Aspen is a good choice and you could actually enroll in their MBA program with a focus on Information Management. 2 birds one stone kind of thing given your stated goals.

DEL

 

Duquesne University offers a Master of Science in Leadership and Information Technology (MSLIT) which would address both the management and technical aspects you seek. As a future project manager you will likely discover that leadership skills play an essential role. If you have an interest in a specific area of IT, say identity management, then reading books about directory services, public key infrastructures, federated management, metadirectory services, etc. and taking a few vendor-specific courses will serve you well.

 

Well, since I don't really know what area of IT I am interested in I don't really know where to start.

I really don't know much about the IT field.

Are there certain areas that are in more demand now? Or are there specialties that I can create a nich in?

I don't know where to start.

 

Actually, it is the other way around. A MS in IT is mainly directed towards a non IT graduates. Computer Science or EE graduates normally go for a MS in Computer Science or Engineering and not in IT. Business graduates normally go for a MIS or IS degree that is less technical and more managerial.

Most of the MS in IT programs are like BS in IT degrees repackaged as master's. The market is mainly non IT graduates looking for an extra credential that does not require previous computer computer courses.

A word of caution is that MS in IT degrees are not so respected in the market, employers that are looking for research and development employees normally look for computer science or EE majors rather than IT. MS in IT is normally helpful as extra credential in professions where the IT knowledge is required at the basic but not specialist level like in the case of PMs.

 

PMs generally do not require a technical background in computer science or engineering, thus my recommendation is in agreement with your view of MSIT and/or MSLIT. The better PMs are highly effective at motivating their staff and navigating the sometimes treacherous organizational management. Either way, the original poster does not require a graduate degree in a technical discipline; any MS IT type degree coupled with PMP certification is sufficient.

 

The current "hot topics" include identity management (IdM), business process re-engineering (BPR),and document and information management systems (DIMS/RDIMS). Check the technical job boards such as dice.com, computerjobs.com, and even monster.com to get a feel for the marketplace. However, be cautioned that with is hot today might very well be a dead-end next month or next year. The areas I cited should remain strong for much of this decade, but that statement and a dollar might buy you a Coke. In terms of employment, a consultancy is possibly the best place to gain experience as you get to work on multiple projects and for multiple clients.

If you really want to be a project manager, then earn an MSIT or MSLIT type graduate degree, take a project management course that will prepare you to write the CAPM and pick up some project management experience typically as a junior project manager or project coordinator. After gaining sufficient hours of work and further study, you can apply to write the PMP exam. Aspen University offer a project management certificate (three courses required) which map nicely to the CAPM and PMP exams.

 

This is the eternal problem in IT. It is important to select something in demand but not something extremely oversold as "E-commerce". I feel that security will become the next "E-commerce" so I would stay away from it unless you can profit from the current demand with some credential that can be done in a matter of months but not a MS that takes years to earn on a part time basis. Some good prospects that are not being oversold are supply chain management, database management and PM for IT.

 

Thanks for the pointers, RF and everyone else that has given me advice.

Just to clarify, since I am interested in doing PM work do I need to take caution about getting into a general IT program that is not real technical?

Most of my PM experience is in business development, construction and manufacturing, so the IT is simply an add-on. I thought that since the PM field is pretty much dominated by IT folks it might be helpful do know just enough to be dangerous.

Plus, I get bored easy, so...

 

A Management Information Systems degree might be a better fit. The Aspen program looks good if you just want to have a grasp of this and don't want to invest much on the extra credential. If you want a "brand" name on your resume there are tons of "brand" name schools offering DL MS in IT as University of Liverpool, NJIT just to mention few but be prepare to pay for the brand. The Aspen is a good solution if you already have a brand name in your resume and are looking for some dressing.

 

This one course addresses project management in the context if IT projects. There is no requirement to understand the nuts-and-bolts of technology anymore than your previous PM work in construction required you to be an architect first.

Aspen University

"649 Information Technology Project Management
(Prerequisite: 645-- Project Management Essentials or prior consent of the instructor)

In today's fast-paced and dynamic environment, innovative information technology and system development projects are critical to many companies' success. The emphasis on such projects creates greater demand from senior management to deliver quality information technology projects on time, within budget, and which add functionality and value to their customers and clients. IT Project Management will teach the project manager how to integrate sound project management principles in the information technology project's development profile in order to assure every aspect of the project is under control and delivers the technical objectives. This course will also cover the IT project's life cycle from initiation through closeout and address all the components of project management as they relate to IT projects, based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) as defined by the Project Management Institute (PMI)."

No. Then you will be part of the problem.

 

For what it's worth, you may want to also consider the certification route (as opposed to a graduate IT degree).

For example (PMP)

http://www.4pmti.com/4daypmpbootcamp.aspx?gclid=CPz0ztKdr4sCFQzDYgodiDqjUg

It's expensive - but they've got a vested interest in helping you sit for the exam and pass (and a guarantee!).

...and regarding the 'fadish nature of IT', I wholeheartedly recommend database administration as an unsexy but lucrative part of any IT infrastructure (frontends come and go). Very good contrarian advice by RFValve/Sentinal no matter what field you choose.

 

You might try a MBA with IT emphasis

I'm a loud (read: proud) graduate from Western Governors University.

I'd suggest you look at them.

Jacob