Going back to school...is it worth it?

[PricklyPete]

I completed my undergraduate in Computer Engineering 3.5 years ago and from the experience I had co-oping I landed a decent job with a good pay rate (especially compared to where I live). I pretty much started out in management and I have moved up since then and now manage a design and software development team (writing an ERP package). My company is fairly small though and there isn't a lot of room to grow here.

A past boss of mine just offered me a job doing similar work (although a little more interesting) for a 25% raise in salary. I ended up saying no for various reasons (location, girlfriend, etc.), but it made me start thinking I need to move on (albeit to somewhere I want to live and something I really want to do).

I have 3 options:

1) Look for a more interesting job somewhere I want to live.
2) Go back to school for my masters or doctorate in Computer Engineering/Computer Science. Get a job at an R&D facility and then possible teach as I get toward retirement.
3) Go back to school for my MBA at a top school (if I can get in) and become a management consultant.

My real question is to people who have gone back to school...was it worth it to you. Would you do it again if you had a chance. What did you go back for and did it actually help you along in your current career. Are you happy?

All input appreciated.

Cliff Notes:
1) Had recent good opportunity that I turned down but made me realize I need to move on.
2) Should I go back to school or should I try to pursue something else in my career path? Was school worth it for anyone who did go back?

 

[m2kewl]

fvcks no. they couldn't pay me to go back...

 

[SouthPaW1227]

Not in any way, shape, or form. School is nothing more than a waste of life and a money drainer. Use your experience + networking skills to find a diferent job. More school *IS NOT THE ANSWER TO YOUR JOB PROBLEMS*.

Seriously, stop spending your life in school and just enjoy it. You can't enjoy things nearly as much w/o a paycheck from that (or any) job.

Just my 2 cents, but realistically school is nothing more than a determination test to see who can make it through 4 or so years of rubbish. You learn what you're actually supposed to do once you get a job somewhere, not in school.

 

[iroast]

you have the education & the experience. you're not going to get a lot more from going for a doctorate, i think. what about online certification courses offered by various universities. university of phoenix? shrug.

 

[beer]

Get your company to pay for your MBA part-time while you work. Most good (but not the best-of-the-best) schools have part-time or executive MBA programs...

 

[iroast]

how about asking on engeering forums such as http://www.engineers.net/forums/ ?

 

[SouthPaW1227]

^ Asking engineers would be about the worst opinions you could get, IMO. They tend to think scientifically (like, of course, more education is ALWAYS BETTER!) instead of letting common sense prevail (like "No, why waste time when I'm already awesome and can use networking skills to locate a more satisfying job right now")

 

[beer]

Originally posted by: SouthPaW1227
^ Asking engineers would be about the worst opinions you could get, IMO. They tend to think scientifically (like, of course, more education is ALWAYS BETTER!) instead of letting common sense prevail (like "No, why waste time when I'm already awesome and can use networking skills to locate a more satisfying job right now")

You've already said that in this thread. We get your point. On the other hand, in my experience - I've worked around a few large companies - I don't see a lot of senior-level managers/senior executives who don't have some sort of MS or MBA, either. So maybe you are partially right, that is to a very limited extent. Networking may get you in the door, but you still need to know your sh!t and without an MS or MBA that's a lot tougher. This is even moreso true if you can complete an MBA or something paid for by your employer, while you receive a paycheck and work full-time as well.

 

[edi sucks]

although getting your masters or phd would beneficial, i think the other people here are on the right track -- it seems you're already doing well for yourself, keep looking and try to find a better job (one that offers job growth in the direction you're looking to grow)...

...that's what i'm doing for now...although, honestly, I plan to go back to school (got my bachelors in CS, had about 28 credits left for my bachelors in comp engineering when i graduated -- no point letting that degree go to waste since i'm almost there anyway).

 

[PowerMac4Ever]

Could you even get into a top MBA school without any work experience? I know Kellogg requires atleast 2 years.

 

[maziwanka]

of any of those, if you can get into a top MBA program, i suggest you go....

 

[SouthPaW1227]

Are you kidding me? Top execs and CEOs (although they may be) *do not have to be massively intelligent*.

Real corporations require APPEARANCES (i.e. results on paper, regardless of their authenticity) to make strides. If you can smile well, talk lingo, and command attention, you have all the makings to move up or anywhere you want. Being sly and good with words will get you further than any degree (not saying to break rules, just sly as in knowing how to move around obstacles to get things in your favor).

I'm not saying an MBA is worthless, BUT, *ON AVERAGE* most MBA holders aren't making substantially more than BS holders; CEOs and the like are few and far between. If you make an extra $5k-10k a year, is that REALLY worth the extra student loans and that huge chunk of your life you just tossed?

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete

My real question is to people who have gone back to school...

That won't get your anywhere.

 

[frankie38]

Graduated w/ BS CS. Started as programmer. Went back for MBA Finance. Finance job in Banking. Now, Finance/IT Consulting.

MBA was worth it. Allowed me to get out of IT and into Finance. My only change would be to go FT TOP MBA program instead of a lower tier program.

It sounds as if you are ready to do something new. I would do option 1 first to see if that is the issue. If not, then a carer/job change may be needed.

Today, I would suggest looking at Law school (intellectual property law) instead of MBA.

Or MBA/JD combined degree.

 

[SouthPaW1227]

Originally posted by: frankie38
Graduated w/ BS CS. Started as programmer. Went back for MBA Finance. Finance job in Banking. Now, Finance/IT Consulting.

MBA was worth it. Allowed me to get out of IT and into Finance. My only change would be to go FT TOP MBA program instead of a lower tier program.

It sounds as if you are ready to do something new. I would do option 1 first to see if that is the issue. If not, then a carer/job change may be needed.

Today, I would suggest looking at Law school (intellectual property law) instead of MBA.

Or MBA/JD combined degree.

That's awesome. But with all due respect, you have gotta admit your MBA got you that position ONLY because your original degree had NOTHING to do with that. If you would've gotten a BS in Business to start with, you could easily hold that same position.

 

[LuckyTaxi]

Not I ... I realize my degree is a waste of money. I'm looking for a career change.

 

[PricklyPete]

It is funny SouthPaW...I've been saying exactly what you have been saying for a couple of years now...I do agree that the actual classes you take in school really are rubbish. That being said...graduate work and the research involved can open doors.

As for graduate work in CS/CompE...I probably need to be more specific. My university (45 minutes away) has built (well still in the process of building) a huge Automotive Research facility where companies and graduate students can work together on new technologies for the industry (So far BMW, Michelin are huge in the venture, but other companies like MS and IBM are in as well...and possibly GM if they get out of their mess). Anyway if I went back to school there and worked hard, it is very possible that I could get in on some of the research opportunities there which could parlay into a future job there or a job with a related company. I really think I would enjoy working in this environment.

 

[PricklyPete]

Originally posted by: PowerMac4Ever
Could you even get into a top MBA school without any work experience? I know Kellogg requires atleast 2 years.

A friend of mine just got into Kellogg with 4 years of experience...I'd have almost 5 before I actually started school (I would not be trying to get in this fall).

 

[frankie38]

Originally posted by: SouthPaW1227

That's awesome. But with all due respect, you have gotta admit your MBA got you that position ONLY because your original degree had NOTHING to do with that. If you would've gotten a BS in Business to start with, you could easily hold that same position.

Thats my point. An MBA might help with career/industry change.

 

[IEC]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
It is funny SouthPaW...I've been saying exactly what you have been saying for a couple of years now...I do agree that the actual classes you take in school really are rubbish. That being said...graduate work and the research involved can open doors.

As for graduate work in CS/CompE...I probably need to be more specific. My university (45 minutes away) has built (well still in the process of building) a huge Automotive Research facility where companies and graduate students can work together on new technologies for the industry (So far BMW, Michelin are huge in the venture, but other companies like MS and IBM are in as well...and possibly GM if they get out of their mess). Anyway if I went back to school there and worked hard, it is very possible that I could get in on some of the research opportunities there which could parlay into a future job there or a job with a related company. I really think I would enjoy working in this environment.

Go for it. Don't listen to all these naysayers who hate school. Sure, it isn't exactly the thing we love most, but schooling really tends to help you get jobs - MBAs are basically required now if you want to get into any of the higher managerial positions. I don't know what SouthPaW is smoking, but statistically it is proven that people with MBAs get more and better jobs than people with just a bachelor's degree. Your personality, charisma, experience, skill, etc. are also factors, but if you don't have the qualifications (such as MBA) that some companies are looking for, the job won't happen. Since it sounds like research opportunities are booming in your area (or soon to be booming) it would make sense to obtain an MBA.

 

[DragonMasterAlex]

Depends on the school. As an example, Westwood College of Technology is a waste of time and a fraud. The president of Discreet himself told me and several other students at a conference a few months ago that Westwood's animation/game design curriculum "is a complete joke. No one in the industry takes Westwood seriously".

Of course, they've got Animation students taking courses in Quark and fvcking *Dreamweaver*, so it's obvious enought they don't know what they are doing.

However, you've got schools like DaveSchool, Digipen and UAT (University of Advanced Technology) that are *awesome* and industry recognized. Just make sure you do some SERIOUS research before committing to any school.

Jason

 

[cerebusPu]

Ive been out of school for 3 years working as an engineer in the medical industry. I am starting my masters degree this fall in Computer Engineering. I will be working full time to pay for my tuition and rent.

Do i want to do this? Not really. Im already tired from work and going to school at night is going to exacerbate the situation.
Is it worth it? I certainly hope so, because I will be paying $27K for my masters degree.

Im actually thinking about a MBA or JD in another few years when i want to get out of engineering.