Earning potential with a Masters over a bachelors Degree

fret_wimp2

I am considering going back to study part time, and do a Masters in Computers.

I currently have a Bachelors Degree in Computers, and have been working the past 6 years. I have a few questions though:

Is there a massive difference in your earning potential if you have a Masters, besides someone who has only done the Bachelors Degree?

Is experience more important on a CV than a Masters Degree?


I would be doing this as im interested in learning more, and also want to increase my earning potential? Im trying to weigh up and decide if it is worth giving up the next two years of my life to do a Masters Degree part time.

Thanks.

tunney

fret_wimp2 wrote: »

I am considering going back to study part time, and do a Masters in Computers.

I currently have a Bachelors Degree in Computers, and have been working the past 6 years. I have a few questions though:

Is there a massive difference in your earning potential if you have a Masters, besides someone who has only done the Bachelors Degree?

Is experience more important on a CV than a Masters Degree?


I would be doing this as im interested in learning more, and also want to increase my earning potential? Im trying to weigh up and decide if it is worth giving up the next two years of my life to do a Masters Degree part time.

Thanks.

Makes no difference to your earning potential imho.

You only get money for qualifications in the PS world. In the real world its experience and what you bring to the table in terms of skills.

(I have an MSc in computing)

KillerKity

At the minute experience is more important but if it's spmething you're interested in then go for it! Learning is never a waste of time and combined with your experience could open doors for you. If nothing else you'll broaden your skills and show dedication to your chosen field which will look good on a cv

Gurgle

fret_wimp2 wrote: »

Is there a massive difference in your earning potential if you have a Masters, besides someone who has only done the Bachelors Degree?

Is experience more important on a CV than a Masters Degree?

Yes, there is a massive difference in your earning potential.

Jobs in the sector are massively varied in the work content and in the salaries. Theres any number of people with IT qualifications and years of 'experience'. With the masters + experience you move much closer to the top of the 'desirable' list, its a big help in making you stand out from the crowd.

fret_wimp2

my only concern is the same as my concern on doing the bachelors degree. you learn about topics you will most likely never use in the working world.

For example, one of the course's I am considering contains a module on AI, and a Graphics processing module.

My current line of work is in SQL Server and .NET Development. In my 6 years I have never been called to use any AI methodologies, or to do some serious Open GL/DirectX graphics manipulation. 99% of work in Ireland ( and the world IMO) will be standard development, database work or something along those lines.

So, would a small in depth course in Databases, or web development or development methodologies be much more benificial than modules in topics you will never see/hear again in the real world?

For example, Image I am applying for the next position up from my current position. It will be more of the same ( dev, databases), but with added responsibility and perhaps some architect work. Dont you think that an in depth module in SQL Server, or in Web Dev would look better to the hiring manager, than an MBA that has Mathemathics, Graphics processing and AI?

I am not saying any of you are wrong, i am just offering my view point, from experience, and seeing how it stacks up against the view of the masses.

Gurgle

fret_wimp2 wrote: »

my only concern is the same as my concern on doing the bachelors degree. you learn about topics you will most likely never use in the working world.

For example, one of the course's I am considering contains a module on AI, and a Graphics processing module.

Who can possibly call themselves an engineer and not want to learn about AI ?

Dont you think that an in depth module in SQL Server, or in Web Dev would look better to the hiring manager, than an MBA that has Mathemathics, Graphics processing and AI?

For the hiring manager looking to fill a role, yes.
For your long-term career, no.

SQL, web development etc are great for paying the bills when you're starting off but after few years it will all feel like pointless drudgery. If you're doing a post-grad, do something interesting.

fret_wimp2

Gurgle wrote: »

SQL, web development etc are great for paying the bills when you're starting off but after few years it will all feel like pointless drudgery. If you're doing a post-grad, do something interesting.

Most of the employees here are doing these same tasks for many years, and most are quite content.

Gurgle wrote: »

If you're doing a post-grad, do something interesting.

I agree with you to an extent here, but if you are working 8 hours per day to keep a roof over your head and food on the table, do you really have the time to start learning something completely new different to what you are used to?

I can see time constraings causing an issue in doing a part time MBA.

Thanks for the point's of view, they have given me some fresh angles from which to view this issue.

Gurgle

fret_wimp2 wrote: »

Most of the employees here are doing these same tasks for many years, and most are quite content.

meh!

fret_wimp2 wrote: »

but if you are working 8 hours per day to keep a roof over your head and food on the table, do you really have the time to start learning something completely new different to what you are used to?

Thats the way I did it.
Its tough for the couple of years it takes, but its worked out great for me.

Gurgle

Gurgle wrote: »

Who can possibly call themselves an engineer and not want to learn about AI ?

Me!

Raskolnikov

I've never heard of anyone who had a post-grad in a computer related subject getting more money. The only thing is there are a few jobs (computer forensics, GIS, etc.) were a post-grad is usually required for entry. From what I can see though, these positions wouldn't pay anymore than a regular development role though.

Gurgle

Raskolnikov wrote: »

I've never heard of anyone who had a post-grad in a computer related subject getting more money.

You don't get more money *for* having a postgrad, you increase your chances of getting a better job which pays more money.

Tom Dunne

There are two reasons I think it will increase your chances, and therefore your earning potential:

• A masters isn't just a qualification in subjects that are of no use to you. It's a piece of paper to say that you have achieved a higher level of education than those with "just" a bachelors degree. So it says something about the type of person you are, as opposed to what you can do. I have never once used the 3D graphics I studied for my masters, but the qualification has helped me get a job on several occasions.
• Any qualification that sets you apart from the other candidates is always going to be a good thing. If there are 10 applicants for a job and only two of them have masters, who do you think an employer is going to look more closely at? I am not for a minute saying the two people with the masters will get the job over those that don't have one, but in my experience, it does increase your chances.

thirtythirty

fret_wimp2 wrote: »

my only concern is the same as my concern on doing the bachelors degree. you learn about topics you will most likely never use in the working world.

For example, one of the course's I am considering contains a module on AI, and a Graphics processing module.

My current line of work is in SQL Server and .NET Development. In my 6 years I have never been called to use any AI methodologies, or to do some serious Open GL/DirectX graphics manipulation. 99% of work in Ireland ( and the world IMO) will be standard development, database work or something along those lines.

So, would a small in depth course in Databases, or web development or development methodologies be much more benificial than modules in topics you will never see/hear again in the real world?

For example, Image I am applying for the next position up from my current position. It will be more of the same ( dev, databases), but with added responsibility and perhaps some architect work. Dont you think that an in depth module in SQL Server, or in Web Dev would look better to the hiring manager, than an MBA that has Mathemathics, Graphics processing and AI?

I am not saying any of you are wrong, i am just offering my view point, from experience, and seeing how it stacks up against the view of the masses.

A masters does not automatically make you "more desireable" or better suited to the higher paid jobs. It can however have exactly that effect -


It all depends on context. Put it this way: in your current role, a general computing masters would add absolutely nothing to your desireability, or suitability, for the job. Thus you wouldn't dictate any higher salary. But, if you did a focused masters in your specific area of work, then yes it would improve your skills and knowledge specific to your job, enabling you to do more complex / better work, thus entitling you to a higher salary.

Personally, i think you've got to consider it like this:

Are you going to stay in your current role (or similar) following the masters?

- if yes, is there a masters that can tune your skills accordingly and actually teach you more about your subject area (and not new, rudimentary skills in e.g. PERL that the job doesn't require)?
- if no, there are two paths:

A) you know what kind of area (within computing!) you know you'd like to move to e.g. I dunno, oracle specialist. In which case you find a masters that gears its content along those lines;
or
you don't know what you'd like to do following the masters, in which case yes, you find a good general computing masters. This is the only case where a general computing masters will improve your CV.

That's how I would see it anyway.

fret_wimp2

Thanks guys. explained it beautifully. Just like a bachellors degree does not prep you for working life, it does prove you have the ability and determination to learn. MBA will prove the same thing but at a higher level.

Are you going to stay in your current role (or similar) following the masters?

It is most likely that I will stay. I would like the company to pay for the MBA, and also it is not the best time to be jumping to new roles, considering i have quite a stable job.

What i have to weigh up is what do i WANT to do:
Do i want to specialize in my particular area
OR
Do i want to learn something new and interesting to broaden my horizons.

Personally I am leaning towards option 2, as to enable me to study, i need to be interested in the material. New subjects will hold my interest much longer than areas i am familar with.