BS in Computer Science... Now what?

[SoftwareEng]

Guys, this is an attempt to understand my career options.

I received a Bachelor's in Comp Sci from a state university 5 years ago. Since then, I worked as a Sr. Software engineer and then a dev. team leader.

I don't like programming as much as I used to, but don't really mind it. I love psychology, though. Management is ok.

What degree would help me to make more money and advance my career? It can't be pure software development, though. I live in Boston; want to move to CA.

I know this is broad or vague. Still, thanks for intelligent responses 🙂

 

[Zim Hosein]

Originally posted by: SoftwareEng
Guys, this is an attempt to understand my career options.

I received a Bachelor's in Comp Sci from a state university 5 years ago. Since then, I worked as a Sr. Software engineer and then a dev. team leader.

I don't like programming as much as I used to, but don't really mind it. I love psychology, though. Management is ok.

What degree would help me to make more money and advance my career? It can't be pure software development, though.

I know this is broad or vague. Still, thanks for intelligent responses 🙂

Where do you reside SoftwareEng?

 

[RKS]

J.D. & Patent Bar

 

[Syringer]

MBA.

 

[nublikescake]

Originally posted by: Syringer
MBA.

This. From a decent school. Then try to look for (junior) management positions.

 

[CanOWorms]

You can go into management in engineering without an MBA. Most management do not have MBAs but most managers will have engineering experience.

 

[nublikescake]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
You can go into management in engineering without an MBA. Most management do not have MBAs but most managers will have engineering experience.

True, but the whole point of a person with a purely technical background doing an MBA is to get into management WITHOUT having a lot of (or any) experience in management. If you already have experience that can be construed as being managerial, then you wouldn't need an MBA, would you? Although it can be argued that you can only go so far in management without one or without an equivalent.

 

[thepd7]

Originally posted by: nublikescake

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
You can go into management in engineering without an MBA. Most management do not have MBAs but most managers will have engineering experience.

True, but the whole point of a person with a purely technical background doing an MBA is to get into management WITHOUT having a lot of (or any) experience in management. If you already have experience that can be construed as being managerial, then you wouldn't need an MBA, would you? Although it can be argued that you can only go so far in management without one or without an equivalent.

most good MBA programs require management experience before hand, and MBA can be very useful depending on the company you work for.

 

[oiprocs]

Originally posted by: RKS
J.D. & Patent Bar

You'll earn big money only if you graduate from a top school with top grades. Or so I've heard.

Pretty much:

Top school, top grades: ~$150k to start
Tier 1: You'll have a job
Tier 2/3: You'll be bitching about having gone in the first place, doing <insert generic work> for ~$30-40k

 

[Mo0o]

Could come to med school and be a psychiatrist

 

[CanOWorms]

Originally posted by: nublikescake

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
You can go into management in engineering without an MBA. Most management do not have MBAs but most managers will have engineering experience.

True, but the whole point of a person with a purely technical background doing an MBA is to get into management WITHOUT having a lot of (or any) experience in management. If you already have experience that can be construed as being managerial, then you wouldn't need an MBA, would you? Although it can be argued that you can only go so far in management without one or without an equivalent.

An MBA in the technical management side in engineering would be almost pointless. It's not something that is highly sought after. He won't be able to get an MBA and then immediately get offered a Device Characterization Manager (or whatever) job because of the MBA.

He already has senior-level engineering experience and worked as a team leader. He could easily be a manager. An MBA would be useful if he wanted to shift into something else though.

 

[Passions]

Get a law degree.

 

[nublikescake]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms

Originally posted by: nublikescake

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
You can go into management in engineering without an MBA. Most management do not have MBAs but most managers will have engineering experience.

True, but the whole point of a person with a purely technical background doing an MBA is to get into management WITHOUT having a lot of (or any) experience in management. If you already have experience that can be construed as being managerial, then you wouldn't need an MBA, would you? Although it can be argued that you can only go so far in management without one or without an equivalent.

An MBA in the technical management side in engineering would be almost pointless.

Of course and that's not the kind of MBA he wants. What I understand from the OP is that the MBA specializations he'd be most interested in would be the purely business ones: accounting, finance, marketing, organizational behaviour, corporate strategy, project management etc.

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
An MBA would be useful if he wanted to shift into something else though.

That's what he's looking for, isn't he?

 

[RKS]

Originally posted by: scorpious

Originally posted by: RKS
J.D. & Patent Bar

You'll earn big money only if you graduate from a top school with top grades. Or so I've heard.

Pretty much:

Top school, top grades: ~$150k to start
Tier 1: You'll have a job
Tier 2/3: You'll be bitching about having gone in the first place, doing <insert generic work> for ~$30-40k

and if you don't go T1 then you probably only get about $1115K to start. 🙂

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
You can go into management in engineering without an MBA. Most management do not have MBAs but most managers will have engineering experience.

I worked at a civil eng firm for a while, and got to go through a lot of peoples resumes. I don't recall seeing a single MBA in any of the managers'/directors' records. Most had M.Eng or M.Asc. though.

At the accounting firm I temped at, everyone and their mother who was high up, or aspiring, had an MBA.

Personally, I'm considering either an MBA or M.Eng in the next few years for shits and giggles. The MBA would be useful if I wanted a career change to management in another field.

 

[SilentZero]

I have also considered doing a MBA part-time in the past...but my issue was always with the cost/benefit (the 100k+ tuition for a decent MBA program). As a software engineer/architect myself, I know many colleagues who went back for an MBA trying to switch from a technical to a managerial position, and still make the same or less than myself, so I have trouble seeing the logic with that path.

Why not try to go the PM path? A few of the PM's where I am earn upwards of 180k a year (and I live in upstate NY where cost of living is about on the national avg. or a bit below), a few have MS in CS degrees, but I know of one with only a BS in CS and extensive experience. Ultimately it depends on what track you want to put your career on. A Masters in CS wouldn't hurt, but if your trying to get away from the technical role, you won't be doing yourself a big favor with this program.

You need to ask yourself some hard questions about your career, narrow down a few career tracks that you feel you would be happiest in, and then tailor your actions towards that end. I have had very similar issues with my career, where I wanted to run off and jump on a different path in this industry, however its always the stability and salary of my current position that keeps me rooted where I am...for now! No matter what you decide however, make sure you do your research into your new path's advancement in the long term.

Finally, I noticed a few of the reply's that mentioned not even needing a MBA for managerial roles...and I couldn't agree more. If it were my company, I would always give the thumbs up to the professional with a strong technical education/background over someone non-technical.

Good luck!

 

[SoftwareEng]

Thanks everyone, for replying with valuable suggestions.

Project management alone seems like an empty subject - all you do is manage others without actively creating anything yourself. But marketing, corporate strategy, and other subjects seem more appealing. On the other hand, some people get an MBA just to put it on their resume... I actually want to learn something useful 🙂

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: SoftwareEng
Thanks everyone, for replying with valuable suggestions.

Project management alone seems like an empty subject - all you do is manage others without actively creating anything yourself. But marketing, corporate strategy, and other subjects seem more appealing. On the other hand, some people get an MBA just to put it on their resume... I actually want to learn something useful 🙂

If I get one, that's my goal. The best programs in my country are apparently about $55k. Ummm, who blows me at the end for that much? On the otherhand, one from a reputable school, but not "Ivey" is around $10k. I find it difficult to believe a 5 fold difference in quality considering management/leadership, I believe, is more innate and learned through experience than books.

 

[SilentZero]

Originally posted by: SoftwareEng
Thanks everyone, for replying with valuable suggestions.

Project management alone seems like an empty subject - all you do is manage others without actively creating anything yourself. But marketing, corporate strategy, and other subjects seem more appealing. On the other hand, some people get an MBA just to put it on their resume... I actually want to learn something useful 🙂

Have you thought about going the architect route? Might be worth exploring imho.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: nublikescake

Originally posted by: CanOWorms
You can go into management in engineering without an MBA. Most management do not have MBAs but most managers will have engineering experience.

True, but the whole point of a person with a purely technical background doing an MBA is to get into management WITHOUT having a lot of (or any) experience in management. If you already have experience that can be construed as being managerial, then you wouldn't need an MBA, would you? Although it can be argued that you can only go so far in management without one or without an equivalent.

most companies would like their high end management to get their MBA or have it.