jondspen

I was one class past the half-way point when I realized I don't like my field or grad school (MS in CS). Fortunately, or unfortunately, I have stuck it out and am about to graduate. Honestly, I feel like it has been a complete waste of time....esp. in the comp sci field. There are some jobs out there where you do need a masters in CS, but very VERY few of them. In comp sci, you're only as good as your last job. Businesses typically want you to hit the ground running. So compared to a person with a masters, and a person who has spent the last X years doing the job, you can guess who is going to get picked. If both of you have the same OJT, then it comes down to either personality or finances. If personality, then you masters hasn't done anything. If finances, then you come in behind a BS candidate, b/c they can be hired cheaper. From what I have seen, unless you are looking to pursue your PhD, a masters is useless. Social work, and perhaps engineering, has a niche for people with masters, but from what I have seen in computer science...there isn't one. The master's is just something you have to do to get a PhD. After working in the industry while going to school, MS in Computer Science is a waste of time. You would be better spent working on certifications such as Microsoft or Cisco. Then you would have additional education past a BS with real stuff being used in business. Only if teaching or research is your end goal....skip the headache and disappointment.