Getting a Masters in Information Systems or get an MBA?

[dn7309]

Side question. Are you thinking of taking the GRE or the GMAT for MBA application now that they accept both?

I choose the GMAT route because that test is more about quantitative over verbal, though the GMAT does have a verbal and writing second. The biggest reason why I choose the GMAT however is that it does not have a vocabulary section. I'm not good at standardized test or particularity like it. But by not having to be tested on words that I may have never seen before is a huge plus.

Since I have been only reading the GMAT books so I guess I'm taking the GMAT :sneaky:

 

[vshah]

Almost everyone I know with an MIS degree is an idiot with no management skills and no tech skills either. In my opinion the degree exists to make money for the institutions that offer it.

 

[OverVolt]

Just get a masters in child psychology.... as far as the government cares I don't think it matters so long as you have a masters.

 

[dn7309]

Just get a masters in child psychology.... as far as the government cares I don't think it matters so long as you have a masters.

That is true an I addressed that predicament in my first original post.

 

[Babbles]

I choose the GMAT route because that test is more about quantitative over verbal, though the GMAT does have a verbal and writing second. The biggest reason why I choose the GMAT however is that it does not have a vocabulary section. I'm not good at standardized test or particularity like it. But by not having to be tested on words that I may have never seen before is a huge plus.

Since I have been only reading the GMAT books so I guess I'm taking the GMAT :sneaky:

I took both the GRE and the GMAT (GRE for another program I was considering). I personally found the GMAT much tougher than the general GRE. There is a data sufficiency section that sucks major donkey balls.

 

[dn7309]

I took both the GRE and the GMAT (GRE for another program I was considering). I personally found the GMAT much tougher than the general GRE. There is a data sufficiency section that sucks major donkey balls.

Did you took prep class from the likes of the Princeton review? I just read the GMAT for dummies so far and plan to move on another book.

 

[Babbles]

Did you took prep class from the likes of the Princeton review? I just read the GMAT for dummies so far and plan to move on another book.

I didn't take a class. I did one of the workbooks (Kaplan I think), the official GMAT practice tests, and some GMAT flashcard thing.

The biggest hurdle I had and I think what capped my score was practicing with a timer. There isn't much time per question so you really got zip through them and be mindful of time.

 

[dn7309]

I didn't take a class. I did one of the workbooks (Kaplan I think), the official GMAT practice tests, and some GMAT flashcard thing.

The biggest hurdle I had and I think what capped my score was practicing with a timer. There isn't much time per question so you really got zip through them and be mindful of time.

I've been out of school for two years and math and grammar may be rusty compared to time when I was writing 15-20 page papers per class each month and run a bunch of SPSS analysis.

When looking into prep book is there a speficic strategy you used to tackle it? I just read the books, then take the practice test. Is that pretty much it or there is more to it?

I just hate standardized tests

 

[Scarpozzi]

Did you had to debate between an MBA or another degree?

Honestly, I didn't really think about it. My undergrad aligned pretty well with the program and I wanted it more to get it out of the way. (convenience degree for future advancement)

I thought about doing the MBA on a Thursday afternoon around 3pm. I knew the Fall semester was starting the following Monday, so I went to the grad school office, filled out the application forms and was told I needed to take the GMAT for admission... I called the testing centers, drove 100 miles the next day to take the test. I got my preliminary scores and they were good enough with my undergrad GPA to get accepted on the spot.

So...I decided to enter the program late Thursday afternoon and started the following Monday.... Totally last minute decision....but I finished, made my mom proud, etc...so it was worth it.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I've been out of school for two years and math and grammar may be rusty compared to time when I was writing 15-20 page papers per class each month and run a bunch of SPSS analysis.

When looking into prep book is there a speficic strategy you used to tackle it? I just read the books, then take the practice test. Is that pretty much it or there is more to it?

I just hate standardized tests

I do too

I barely had to do any math during all of my undergrad so I'm basically reteaching myself everything I learned in high school for the GRE.

 

[OverVolt]

I do too

I barely had to do any math during all of my undergrad so I'm basically reteaching myself everything I learned in high school for the GRE.

You don't really learn college mathematics you survive it.

 

[Imp]

You don't really learn college mathematics you survive it.

True for most of my undergrad. Five or more courses at once, just cram enough for the test, who cares if you absorb anything.

 

[dn7309]

True for most of my undergrad. Five or more courses at once, just cram enough for the test, who cares if you absorb anything.

that seem to be true for most college subject, test and forget. Unless you continuously use the material in upper divisions courses.

I took business calculus and I'm pretty sure if I open my text book now I'll be like WTF

 

[Hacp]

Masters in Computer Science.

 

[dn7309]

I would love to have a MCS, but those programs requires a BSCS to be even admitted to the program.

 

[Imp]

that seem to be true for most college subject, test and forget. Unless you continuously use the material in upper divisions courses.

I took business calculus and I'm pretty sure if I open my text book now I'll be like WTF

I remember most of what I learned in grad school that I did part-time. Two courses max per semester, had time to learn, process, and do my own research. But it saves time in getting that piece of paper...

 

[Hacp]

I would love to have a MCS, but those programs requires a BSCS to be even admitted to the program.

Depends. If you go to a college that caters to working professionals, most require just a few key courses.

 

[SP33Demon]

Do you like tech a lot? If so, go MIS. Anything w/ Information Systems = decent money in the current climate although that could change in the future. The only downside is that you have to find your niche and keep up with the technology and industry. For example, the tech you work with for MIS may not be relevant in 10 years when you decide to leave the military so it won't be exactly practical. However, if you want to stay in the tech industry I would still value an MIS degree over an MBA any day of the week. Which leads me to...

MBA, it seems like everyone has one nowadays and I don't think it will differentiate you from the pack unless you're in a field where it's valued. For example, I came across a resume the other day for a tech position and the guy had a recent MBA. I threw it in the garbage and we all had a good laugh about it. We want to hire someone who has a specialized MS and/or tons of experience to boot (it was a for a senior position). The MBA actually hurt him in this case because we wondered why he was applying for a tech position after getting his MBA. He would have been better off not listing it at all.

All in all, I think an MIS degree + grad cert or industry cert in [insert specialty here] would go a long way if you wanted to go the tech route. An MBA would only help you if you're applying for a managerial position like a Project Lead or Chief Engineer or Program Manager. But usually they go the technical background + PMP route. However, one of my good friends was a CS undergrad + MBA and he rose to program manager. You don't have a strong tech undergrad so that would hurt you a bit unless you go tech master's. If you have the skills and desire to be a good manager, then not having an MBA isn't going to stop you. However, getting MBA also doesn't mean you'll have the skills and desire to be a good manager either. The cream will rise to the top regardless of degree.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Do you like tech a lot? If so, go MIS. Anything w/ Information Systems = decent money in the current climate although that could change in the future. The only downside is that you have to find your niche and keep up with the technology and industry. For example, the tech you work with for MIS may not be relevant in 10 years when you decide to leave the military so it won't be exactly practical. However, if you want to stay in the tech industry I would still value an MIS degree over an MBA any day of the week. Which leads me to...

MBA, it seems like everyone has one nowadays and I don't think it will differentiate you from the pack unless you're in a field where it's valued. For example, I came across a resume the other day for a tech position and the guy had a recent MBA. I threw it in the garbage and we all had a good laugh about it. We want to hire someone who has a specialized MS and/or tons of experience to boot (it was a for a senior position). The MBA actually hurt him in this case because we wondered why he was applying for a tech position after getting his MBA. He would have been better off not listing it at all.

All in all, I think an MIS degree + grad cert or industry cert in [insert specialty here] would go a long way if you wanted to go the tech route. An MBA would only help you if you're applying for a managerial position like a Project Lead or Chief Engineer or Program Manager. But usually they go the technical background + PMP route. However, one of my good friends was a CS undergrad + MBA and he rose to program manager. You don't have a strong tech undergrad so that would hurt you a bit unless you go tech master's. If you have the skills and desire to be a good manager, then not having an MBA isn't going to stop you. However, getting MBA also doesn't mean you'll have the skills and desire to be a good manager either. The cream will rise to the top regardless of degree.

Sure, many people might be going and getting an MBA now but that's what makes the name of the school stand out. You can have an MBA from UCLA Anderson vs. an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Also I don't know why you would be throwing his application away. Many MBA programs have technology specializations. For example here's UCLA's tech specialization.

http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/programs-and-outreach/easton

 

[SP33Demon]

Sure, many people might be going and getting an MBA now but that's what makes the name of the school stand out. You can have an MBA from UCLA Anderson vs. an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Also I don't know why you would be throwing his application away. Many MBA programs have technology specializations. For example here's UCLA's tech specialization.

http://www.anderson.ucla.edu/programs-and-outreach/easton

If it was a tech-focused MBA, why wasn't he applying for a tech leadership position somewhere? Yet he applied to our senior tech position (with no leadership/management potential). It doesn't add up, his resume was all over the map. You can't do low level tech, get an MBA, and then expect to do high level tech because of an MBA. He simply didn't qualify from an experience and education standpoint. If he wanted to stay in our field, he should have gotten a related tech degree, not an MBA. Hell, even if he had an MIS degree I would have said "not optimal, but acceptable". MBA, nope. I think that is a decision a lot of people have to make - stay technical or try to manage. But they need to make sure they have enough exp/education before going the management route.

 

[poofyhairguy]

My MBA just paid off in a big way today with a promotion so I vote for that.

 

[Ns1]

If it was a tech-focused MBA, why wasn't he applying for a tech leadership position somewhere? Yet he applied to our senior tech position (with no leadership/management potential). It doesn't add up, his resume was all over the map. You can't do low level tech, get an MBA, and then expect to do high level tech because of an MBA. He simply didn't qualify from an experience and education standpoint. If he wanted to stay in our field, he should have gotten a related tech degree, not an MBA. Hell, even if he had an MIS degree I would have said "not optimal, but acceptable". MBA, nope. I think that is a decision a lot of people have to make - stay technical or try to manage. But they need to make sure they have enough exp/education before going the management route.

So something like an IS Degree + CBAP/CISSP + experience > MBA + experience?

 

[SP33Demon]

So something like an IS Degree + CBAP/CISSP + experience > MBA + experience?

Yes, but keep in mind the kid had very little experience for the senior tech position to begin with. So it's more like IS Graduate degree + certs > MBA. But better to know exactly what your field is looking for so hiring managers don't have to try to fit a square peg in a round hole.

 

[alkemyst]

The deal breaker is how most higher level companies require real management to have an MBA. If that is where you are heading it's smart to pick it up along the way esp. if one's company will pay for it.

 

[Babbles]

I've been out of school for two years and math and grammar may be rusty compared to time when I was writing 15-20 page papers per class each month and run a bunch of SPSS analysis.

When looking into prep book is there a speficic strategy you used to tackle it? I just read the books, then take the practice test. Is that pretty much it or there is more to it?

I just hate standardized tests

I may have had a strategy at the time, but I have since forgot it. I did go back to memorize all of the basic mathematical formulae - mostly geometry stuff. It's not a knowledge test, it is a performance versus certain metrics test, so practice, practice, practice.

My personal irony part is that pre-MBA (and now post MBA kinda-ish) is that I was an analytical scientist. I did math like crazy on a daily basis and worked with pretty large datasets. However, so-called "real world" math is not at all applicable to the GMAT. I think I burned myself in trying to solve problems as I would a scientist, not as somebody trying to zip through and play to the test. So I guess that would be one advice; look at the problems not in a practical sense, but in a how-to-beat-the-test sense.