I will be graduating with a BS in Computer Science this summer from FSU and I have already started an MS in Computer Science at the University of Florida. I'm a 44 year old woman and I currently hold a position of Principal Software Engineer at Sage Software (formerly Best Software.) For the last year or so I've been trying to determine the best path for me academically after I complete my masters degree. Whatever path I choose, I want it to contribute toward a desireable outcome -- to shake up immediate and upper management's perception of my potential to contribute to the company's future leading to a higher level of responsibilities and trust or respect. Here are some paths I have considered to take after I complete an MSCS: Complete an MBA with a concentration in Project Management Complete an MS in Project Managment Complete a PMP certification and then pursue a PhD in Computer Science [/list=1]For my personal tastes, option 3 seems to be exiting because if I'm successful I will feel more like I've "gone the distance" in my field. However, option 1 and 2 could be completed more quickly and may have a more immediate impact on my future career opportunities. Option 1, would provide a broader exposure to business that may give me future opportunities. Of course, I'm not really excited about straying too far from software/technical projects. So, if anyone would care to share their ideas or analysis my or similar situtations you can bet I will be enthralled.
JoAnn, You will have completed a significant amount of technical courses and have already established your technical competencies. Recently I received a position over another individual. This was a direct result of having business and management competenices. The other individual had both a BSEE and a MSEE. You would be better served by the MBA-PM and completing the PMP than additional technical degrees at this point. I would also recommend that if you don't currently have management or supervisory purview of other employees that you position yourself to acquire these documented competencies. Technical persons are at a disadvantage without managment experience. I would recommend the MBA-PM in your case since you have sound technical degrees. Mississippi State has a DL program. As for the PhD, I believe that any education as a goal is worthwhile and pursuit should be a personal choice on your part. Good luck, Kevin
Thanks, I'm currently looking at University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Its tuition is cheap, it is AACSB accredited and it has a PM concentration. I'll have to take a look at Mississippi State.
Kevin, I just took a look at the Mississippi State program and it looks to be a really spiffy degree. While it only requires 32 hours of course work, seeing as my background is Computer Science, I will at least have to take 4 prerequisites (Accounting, Finance, Management and Marketing.) But, I'm not complaining. That still probably works out to only 44 hours. Thanks for the recommendation!
As an academic who knows very little about your field, of course I'd say go for the PhD--assuming the PMP certificate gets you the interim workplace respect you deserve. I think your motivation to go to the end of the road fits the task: to learn all one can about a discipline, get as close to its truths as possible, which is what academia should be about. I imagine that the academic orientation and the work-based, practical one will complement each other, providing mutual insights and needed respite. For me it would come down to this: Do I have a consuming interest and curiosity concerning the ideas of my field? If so, I'll have something to sustain me all the way through; if not, relying on extrinsic motivations may lead me to question at some point whether the actual effort is worth the potential gain, and the right answer might be, "No, it's not." Again, this comes from someone with a strong academic and theoretical bias, so please take it for what it may be worth.
Re: Re: Re: Perspectives Wanted: MBA, MS or PhD? Ah! Just speaking tongue-in-cheek, JoAnn! I'd go for both, though you might do them consecutively rather than concurrently. The MBA will give you greater career mobility into general management, but the PhD in CS will give you greater options within research & development.
I think you should go for both. An MBA is really not that hard when you compare it to other disciplines. For me, the quantitative elements are really rather difficult, but with your background the math should be child's play. Find a relatively short, general MBA program that allows you to take a some project management courses as electives (thus qualifying you for the PMP exam when you should decide to take it) and just take it very, very slow so it doesn't interfere too much with the PhD courses. I looked at UCCS too when I started but I ended up signing on with Brenau University. UCCS looks like a good choice though. It has less time-intensive semester long courses so it's easier to stretch out.
Based on what I know of the business/IT world (not that much, really) I'd say do the MBA first. I'm guessing that it's the best bang for your buck. By this I mean that I'm betting that the time, energy, money put into an MBA program will bring you the most returns. If, after that, you still want to earn the PhD, well it's still there and you've got the perfect credentials to gain you admission. In any case, good luck. Jack
