Facing an educational dilemma

[SilentZero]

Ok heres the deal. I have a B.S. and a M.S. in computer science (just recently getting out of school). I am 28, married with a beautiful baby boy. We have a somewhat steady income, and a house to live in as long as we wish (we don't have a mortage). My wife is still going to college (doing a B.S/M.S. in environmental science), and I am having a career dilemma so to speak. I have been regretting recently my decision to do a M.S. in computer science as I want to get more into the managerial/business side of things and am contemplating doing a second masters in either Information systems or business.
I can just get a *real* job (doing research for minimal pay at the moment) and start earning decent money now, or go back to school for another 1.5-2 years for a 2nd masters to diversity my resume. What do you all think I should do, because I am 50/50.
We have money saved and coming in to carry us over the next few years easy, and my wife says do what I want. But still..its a tough choice.

 

[DaWhim]

do you want to go to school because you enjoy doing or do you just want a degree? you have a degree already.

 

[SilentZero]

Originally posted by: DaWhim
do you want to go to school because you enjoy doing or do you just want a degree? you have a degree already.

I can't say that I really enjoy school but I do not hate it. Sure I already have college under my belt, but hell im 28 and don't really want to be stuck in development all my life. I would like to diversity a bit.

 

[DaWhim]

you don't need a MIS degree to do a job in MIS field. perhaps, you can ask how many atot'ers are doing the job related to their major.

 

[SilentZero]

Originally posted by: DaWhim
you don't need a MIS degree to do a job in MIS field. perhaps, you can ask how many atot'ers are doing the job related to their major.

I am sure many have jobs in other fields, but thats not really my question. I am talking more so for overall marketability and career diversification. Will having the second masters really improve my marketability that much? If so then it makes it a much easier decision, but if it wouldn't make much of a difference in the long run, then work may be a better option. My advisors of course said get the MSIS degree in addition, but they are biased in my opinion, hense my question here.

 

[gotsmack]

you can go to school part time

 

[compuwiz1]

Originally posted by: SilentZero
Ok heres the deal. I have a B.S. and a M.S. in computer science (just recently getting out of school). I am 28, married with a beautiful baby boy. We have a somewhat steady income, and a house to live in as long as we wish (we don't have a mortage). My wife is still going to college (doing a B.S/M.S. in environmental science), and I am having a career dilemma so to speak. I have been regretting recently my decision to do a M.S. in computer science as I want to get more into the managerial/business side of things and am contemplating doing a second masters in either Information systems or business.
I can just get a *real* job (doing research for minimal pay at the moment) and start earning decent money now, or go back to school for another 1.5-2 years for a 2nd masters to diversity my resume. What do you all think I should do, because I am 50/50.
We have money saved and coming in to carry us over the next few years easy, and my wife says do what I want. But still..its a tough choice.

So it seems both of you are well educated and well qualified for many positions. You have a child. Are you just going to school, just for the sake of going to school? Frankly, I've known people who just kept going to school, simply because they could not face the parents if they didn't. Some were afraid to let go...let go of school and face the real work world.

My brother had all you have...grants, free housing, etc, thanks to my father. He changed majors 3 times, ultimately dropping out. He decided he was not living his life for him, but for our Dad. I admired him for his decision, but wished he would have stood up much sooner, rather than let Dad spend all that money.

Me...I dropped out of High School.
I made over $140K last year. My brother Scott, might have made $30k. 🙁

 

[Neurorelay]

Getting into the businees/managerial side comes more from a couple years experience in a career. I would suggest getting out there, start working and take the 2nd master's in the part time. While a 2nd master's would look nice, it also begs the employer's questions of "Why is it taking this person so long to begin working?"

You have sufficient education credntials to show you have the ability to succeed, now you have to show that you can. Plus, this question of yours might be easier to make after you have worked a year or so.

In any event, best of luck.

 

[SilentZero]

Originally posted by: compuwiz1

Originally posted by: SilentZero
Ok heres the deal. I have a B.S. and a M.S. in computer science (just recently getting out of school). I am 28, married with a beautiful baby boy. We have a somewhat steady income, and a house to live in as long as we wish (we don't have a mortage). My wife is still going to college (doing a B.S/M.S. in environmental science), and I am having a career dilemma so to speak. I have been regretting recently my decision to do a M.S. in computer science as I want to get more into the managerial/business side of things and am contemplating doing a second masters in either Information systems or business.
I can just get a *real* job (doing research for minimal pay at the moment) and start earning decent money now, or go back to school for another 1.5-2 years for a 2nd masters to diversity my resume. What do you all think I should do, because I am 50/50.
We have money saved and coming in to carry us over the next few years easy, and my wife says do what I want. But still..its a tough choice.

So it seems both of you are well educated and well qualified for many positions. You have a child. Are you just going to school, just for the sake of going to school? Frankly, I've known people who just kept going to school, simply because they could not face the parents if they didn't. Some were afraid to let go...let go of school and face the real work world.

My brother had all you have...grants, free housing, etc, thanks to my father. He changed majors 3 times, ultimately dropping out. He decided he was not living his life for him, but for our Dad. I admired him for his decision, but wished he would have stood up much sooner, rather than let Dad spend all that money.

Me...I dropped out of High School.
I made over $140K last year. My brother Scott, might have made $30k. 🙁

I wouldn't say I am considering going back just to go. I am thinking more strategically for my future. I know what I want to do, and I know what I enjoy. I have had job offers already, and have already worked a bit in a related field for the DoD (so have the all important security clearance). Its just I dont' want to be capped at a certain skill level or position. I know a few people whom also have their bs and ms in CS and yet are pretty much capped at a set salary and there isn't much hope for them to move forward. Thats basically why I am looking to diversity now, because of the stories I hear from friends. Perhaps they only represent a small number of people in the field, and their opinions are somewhat tainted. They do however work for large companies (GE, Lockheed, and general dynamics to name a few) and are happy with their job, just generally not very enthusiastic about their upward movement in the company, and preach to me the value of diversification when it comes to my education.

Obviously if I choose to go into a job now, I still have two degrees to use, so all is not lost. I am just thinking in terms of my age and opportunity to continue my education this one last step.
My family could honestly care less as to what I do, and only want me to be able to support myself, wife and child. If an extra degree and the two years it would take to recieve it would boost my salary from 100k a year to around what your earning, then obviously I would go for it. The problem is its all speculation at this point, and thats what I am having trouble getting over.

I appreciate your reply. Thanks.