Full Time or Intern? BA, MS or MBA?

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O

OogyWaWa

Senior member
Jan 20, 2009
623
0
71
Cliffs:
Received "dream offer", intern or full time option
Is MS as good as MBA for long-term IT career?
Quit MS and go to Japan now (MBA later/never) or stick with the MS?

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I recently received an offer from a large financial firm for an IT job in Japan. To make a long story short, from all the research and info I gathered through interviews, etc. it seems like the perfect job for me. My most desired location, my desired job, lots of potential, my desired industry, etc. I have no doubt I want to be with this firm. However, the problem I have now (and it is definitely a good problem to have) is whether or not to go full time now or take an internship. Here is the breakdown:

I will finish my undergrad this Dec. and am positioned to finish my MS Dec. 2011. They have made a formal offer for a summer 2011 internship. The job, pay, etc. is the same as full time, just a summer-long gig with the likelihood I will get a full time offer at the end. Of course, this is always subject to economic situations, my performance, demand, etc.

The other offer I have on the table (which is what it seems like they really want me to do), is to postpone the MS and start working full time in Feb. Essentially, I would have to finish MS (or MBA) at some later time.

I'm on the fence about it and looking to ATOT for input on 2 things: Go now or wait & if an MS is good enough (opposed to MBA) for the future.

Concerning the go or don't go, here is what I am weighing:
I don't know a lot about the financial industry, but they have a great training program that would start as soon as I get there. I've researched it and feel it would really give me the boost I need to outperform expectations. If I went the summer route, there is no training, but the expectations are essentially the same. I would have to train myself on what I can, but likely face not impressing them as much as I want to. I have a little apprehension about diving in full time, but I'm sure I would have this with any job. My peers and faculty seem to think I will have no problem and I do have confidence, just a little apprehensive.

The other issue deals with the long term future. I've begun to question whether or not an MS is going to be what I need to get where I want to be in 10 yrs. I originally joined the MS to boost my GPA and get offers from firms who weren't looking at me due to it (but my experience has gotten me the offer I want). I know I want to be in the IT realm and my MS is IT related, but I've already encountered a few employers who demand an MBA (not MS) for high-level management consideration. I'm worried that, while my MS may help me out initially, not having an MBA will hold me back. I really like the MS program (i've technically started last May), but I feel I'm not going to learn a whole lot that will really help me in the long run; it is more a "check the box" degree for me, whereas, an MBA might help build some business understanding I may not have. So, thoughts on MS vs. MBA?

FYI:
my undergrad is MIS.
I studied/worked part time (software) in japan for a year
I have some significant experience even though I'm undergrad (that and confidence got me the offer)
The thought process on MS + Exp is, I may not have to exp. now (i think I do), but I can get it later and not have to worry about getting the MS later. Just playing devil's advocate
here though.
the MS is in enterprise consulting (MIS)
the firm is one of the top 4 big financials (goldman, jp morgan, morgan stanley, citi) and their training program is somewhat renown

Thanks in advance :)
 
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Capt Caveman

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
126
MS or MBA does not mean much without experience. Take the full-time position and get MS and MBA later.
 
AgaBoogaBoo

AgaBoogaBoo

Lifer
Feb 16, 2003
26,108
5
81
Go to Japan! Meet new people, eat new food, see new places, live a new life and learn about the world.

Once you get experience, any masters program will be *much* more meaningful. Compare the class participation for an undergrad and graduate level class. If the grad students have experience, they're much more active in class. Why? They realize that the things they're learning matter. Undergrads, a lot of them anyway (yes, I'm generalizing), won't be active because they don't think something matters to them.

I would personally go explore Japan and have a good time, you can get back into school once you have a better idea of what route you want to take.
 
Bignate603

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
Ask them about tuition reimbursement, you might be able to take your dream job and get them to pay for your MS or MBA.
 
ManSnake

ManSnake

Diamond Member
Oct 26, 2000
4,749
1
0
MBA is what you make of it. You certainly don't need it for a career in IT. Go for what your heart desires and don't look back!
 
O

OogyWaWa

Senior member
Jan 20, 2009
623
0
71
Thanks for all the insight everyone :)

Just some more FYI:
I studied/worked part time (software) in japan for a year
I have some significant experience even though I'm undergrad (that and confidence got me the offer)
The thought process on MS + Exp is, I may not have to exp. now (i think I do), but I can get it later and not have to worry about getting the MS later. Just playing devil's advocate here though.
 
F

fire400

Diamond Member
Nov 21, 2005
5,204
21
81
interns promise nothing.

full time with career options is a good choice, but don't lose sight of your goals.

we're moving into a fast paced knowledge-information age, so try to be specific with your career path from here on, but always be open to other intern offers.
 
Kirby

Kirby

Lifer
Apr 10, 2006
12,028
2
0
full-time = skyline :p

they'll send you to school when/if they think you need it
 
R

rasczak

Lifer
Jan 29, 2005
10,437
23
81
ask if they have a tuition reimbursement program. if so, then go full time, and get your MS on their dime.

edit: just saw this posted up above. I agree with that post.
 
O

OogyWaWa

Senior member
Jan 20, 2009
623
0
71
nkgreen said:
full-time = skyline :p

they'll send you to school when/if they think you need it
Click to expand...

since when are you morning crew :p ? The 3 year path to a skyline does look quite appealing, lol

I suppose going on their dime would be an option if they wanted me to go management route, etc.
 
IndyColtsFan

IndyColtsFan

Lifer
Sep 22, 2007
33,655
688
126
ManSnake said:
MBA is what you make of it. You certainly don't need it for a career in IT. Go for what your heart desires and don't look back!
Click to expand...

I am really struggling with my options too. I have been in IT for about 15 years now and can't decide what to do next. I've been in various infrastructure roles and now am a developer. There just doesn't seem to be any upward mobility in IT these days, at least in the companies I've worked for in the Indy area.

I'm afraid to sink time (and possibly money) into an MBA if it won't let me leave IT or at least, move up and get more money. It seems to be a very uncertain prospect in these times. I think the quickest route of least resistance to more money would be to go the consulting route, but I am not sure how I feel about that.

What say you, ATOT?
 
DougK62

DougK62

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2001
8,035
6
81
OP, I read your post and to me it seems so 100% clear what you should do. TAKE THE JOB. If it were me, I wouldn't even think twice.
 
HardcoreRobot

HardcoreRobot

Lifer
Nov 7, 2000
16,403
3
81
make money

then you figure out whether you want MS or MBA, or if its even worth it all. plus, you can find someone to pay.
 
O

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
27,631
5
81
First, the caveat: I'm a CPA, I don't work in IT so I can't offer any perspective on your industry. However, I am working abroad on rotation for my firm and have enjoyed it far more than I thought I would. It's also opened up doors that I'd neither considered nor thought would be available.

Second, the uninformed opinion: I would suggest taking the offer for full-time employment, especially if you are offered a long-term rotation abroad. That experience (both full-time "real world" employment and the experience working internationally) is invaluable. You can *always* go back to school. A close friend of mine is going back to law school after working as a business analyst and SAP consultant for five (six?) years and he had no difficulty getting into a solid program. If he'd applied coming straight out of undergrad I think he would have found it much more difficult to be accepted.

Third, a thought on training: having gone through five years of rigorous internal training programs with a large accounting firm, I would urge you to weigh that very heavily in your decision. I'm not sure which firm you're considering, but I've had the opportunity to have in-depth discussions, walk through case studies, and give presentations with some of the top minds in public practice (I have oftentimes struggled with my job but I DO believe that) and that is experience of immeasurable value.
 
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halik

halik

Lifer
Oct 10, 2000
25,696
1
81
Capt Caveman said:
MS or MBA does not mean much without experience. Take the full-time position and get MS and MBA later.
Click to expand...

MS in CompSci is worthless, you literally make the same amount of money as with a BS.

Top10 MBA will open doors for you and you'll make considerably more, though you realistically won't get anywhere decent without at least 4-5 years of work exp.
 
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O

OogyWaWa

Senior member
Jan 20, 2009
623
0
71
the MS is in enterprise consulting (MIS)
the firm is one of the top 4 big financials (goldman, jp morgan, morgan stanley, citi) and their training program is somewhat renown
 
Gibson486

Gibson486

Lifer
Aug 9, 2000
18,378
2
0
from what I gathered in the business world, people are starting to question why kids are getting their MS or MBA right after school. NOt saying I agree, but its something i keep hearing over and over again.
 
O

Orsorum

Lifer
Dec 26, 2001
27,631
5
81
Gibson486 said:
from what I gathered in the business world, people are starting to question why kids are getting their MS or MBA right after school. NOt saying I agree, but its something i keep hearing over and over again.
Click to expand...

I say this as someone who got a master's degree in accounting before getting substantial professional work experience, but I tend to agree with the skepticism about MBAs. It is one thing to get a master's degree in a technical area, advanced study seems to be an asset in many disciplines.

It is another thing entirely to pursue an advanced degree in management. All Dilbert jokes aside, management skill requires maturity, emotional intelligence, conflict resolution skills, client relationship skills, all in addition to technical knowledge. That is something that simply cannot be taught to most people, it takes time. To pursue an MBA generally involves advanced study of business management; to pursue an MBA without a base of hands-on knowledge, to me, seems to be a waste of time.
 
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