Like Balaji, my answer is neither, but for slightly different reasons.
Your answer does indeed come across as cocky, which is the natural right of 21-year-olds everywhere. But the counterbalance to youthful arrogance isn't more schooling; it's experience.
Intern with some Silicon Valley startup after your junior year. That will give you some knowledge and connections that will enable you to find a development job when you graduate.
Make sure the post-graduation job is at a relatively small startup. If the company is ~10 people, you'll get to poke your nose into a lot of things that will be hidden
Like Balaji, my answer is neither, but for slightly different reasons.
Your answer does indeed come across as cocky, which is the natural right of 21-year-olds everywhere. But the counterbalance to youthful arrogance isn't more schooling; it's experience.
Intern with some Silicon Valley startup after your junior year. That will give you some knowledge and connections that will enable you to find a development job when you graduate.
Make sure the post-graduation job is at a relatively small startup. If the company is ~10 people, you'll get to poke your nose into a lot of things that will be hidden from you at larger companies. You can discover where your strengths and interests truly lie.
In the meantime, learn to code like your life depends on it. Learn to finish and maintain things; one of the worst vices of the newbie programmer is hopping from thing to thing, leaving a trail of half-assery behind. If you end up sticking with the CS track later, you'll be glad of the practical experience. If you shift into product management, you'll be able to command the respect of the people you're hoping will do most of the grunt work for you.
Oh, and don't worry so much about funding and incubators and the like. That's incredibly faddish right now. Instead dream of building a business independently. If you end up going the incubator route, you'll be better prepared. But you could own your next company free and clear.
I have a MS in CS from Maryland and now embarking on my MBA, while running my startup. From what I read in your profile, I would suggest you go for neither.
You don't want to go for MS because of this:
>>I'm worried that I will get sick of programming
In general, you want to pursue a Masters/Phd only in a field you really love. Without that you are wasting your time and money.
You don't want to do your own startup now, because of this:
>>I'm a big picture thinker.
Always, start small and scale up. Entrepreneurs can dream big, but have to keep the feet in the ground to handle all sorts of prac
I have a MS in CS from Maryland and now embarking on my MBA, while running my startup. From what I read in your profile, I would suggest you go for neither.
You don't want to go for MS because of this:
>>I'm worried that I will get sick of programming
In general, you want to pursue a Masters/Phd only in a field you really love. Without that you are wasting your time and money.
You don't want to do your own startup now, because of this:
>>I'm a big picture thinker.
Always, start small and scale up. Entrepreneurs can dream big, but have to keep the feet in the ground to handle all sorts of practical sh*t.
You don't want to go for an MBA now, because of this:
>>I'm also worried that MBA will be useless if I actually do want to code or work
The best way to leverage MBA is by working 3-4 years at a big corporation.startup to understand how businesses work & what are the practical problems around. When you go for your MBA, you really need a solid reason to spend $150K and 2 years.
I would suggest you work at a startup for a couple of years and see if you can really build a team on your own. If you can do that, go on your own. Else, If coding, algorithms become your passion in the meanwhile, go for MS in CS.
After about 5 years from now, make a call if you want to do an MBA. 90% of MBA programs are not made for entrepreneurs, but for people who want to become managers. So, if you want to become an entrepreneur pick up among the few schools that focus on entrepreneurship.
It depends.
A) If you want to learn about Artificial Intelligence in a non-trivial manner, and leave the door open to becoming a practitioner, go get the MS in Computer Science.
B) If you can't see yourself staying technical for the next 10 - 15 years of your career, go get the MBA.
The reason for A): the Practitioner Path
From my experience, it is extremely hard to have a good grasp of Artificial Intelligence to the point where you are implementing systems without hitting the books full time. Sure, you can take a class or two during your MBA program, but that will leave you feeling like you scr
It depends.
A) If you want to learn about Artificial Intelligence in a non-trivial manner, and leave the door open to becoming a practitioner, go get the MS in Computer Science.
B) If you can't see yourself staying technical for the next 10 - 15 years of your career, go get the MBA.
The reason for A): the Practitioner Path
From my experience, it is extremely hard to have a good grasp of Artificial Intelligence to the point where you are implementing systems without hitting the books full time. Sure, you can take a class or two during your MBA program, but that will leave you feeling like you scratched the surface. Also, the introductory ML stuff is not going to give you enough mileage for many years down the line. Finally, Michigan has a great ML program.
The reason for B): the Manager Path
If you don't want to become a practitioner, then I would usually say go get the MBA, but you have to seriously consider the following:
a) costs
b) your future goals
If you know where you want to be, then sometimes there's no point wasting time and money going back to school (esp not a top 3 MBA program). Try to network your way to your next job if you can.
The coursework, however, won't teach you much beyond what you can teach yourself (unlike hardcore AI).
Deciding between an MBA, a Master’s in Computer Science (MS in CS), or neither depends on your career goals, interests, and the skills you want to develop. Here are some factors to consider for each option:
MBA (Master of Business Administration)
- Focus: Business management, leadership, finance, marketing, and strategy.
- Pros:
- Develops skills in management and leadership.
- Opens doors to a variety of industries and roles, including consulting, entrepreneurship, and corporate management.
- Networking opportunities with professionals and alumni.
- Cons:
- Can be expensive and time-consuming.
- If you’re worried abo
Deciding between an MBA, a Master’s in Computer Science (MS in CS), or neither depends on your career goals, interests, and the skills you want to develop. Here are some factors to consider for each option:
MBA (Master of Business Administration)
- Focus: Business management, leadership, finance, marketing, and strategy.
- Pros:
- Develops skills in management and leadership.
- Opens doors to a variety of industries and roles, including consulting, entrepreneurship, and corporate management.
- Networking opportunities with professionals and alumni.
- Cons:
- Can be expensive and time-consuming.
- If you’re worried about grades, you might want to consider programs with a holistic admissions process or those that value professional experience.
MS in CS (Master of Science in Computer Science)
- Focus: Advanced computing concepts, algorithms, software development, and technology.
- Pros:
- Prepares you for specialized technical roles in software development, data science, and AI.
- Potential for high earning potential in tech fields.
- Cons:
- If you find coding boring and prefer creative work, this path may not align with your interests.
Neither
- Considerations:
- Explore alternative paths that align with your creative interests, such as design, marketing, or entrepreneurship.
- Look into boot camps, online courses, or certifications that can provide skills without the commitment of a full degree.
- Gain experience through internships or projects in areas that excite you.
Recommendations
- Self-Assessment: Reflect on what aspects of your current work excite you. If creativity is a priority, consider roles that blend technology with creative fields, like product management or UX/UI design.
- Research Programs: If you lean towards an MBA, research programs that consider work experience or have a creative focus (e.g., MBA with a concentration in marketing or entrepreneurship).
- Networking: Talk to professionals in fields you're interested in to gather insights about their educational backgrounds and career paths.
Ultimately, choose a path that aligns with your interests and career aspirations. If you prefer creative work, exploring options outside of traditional degrees might be the best fit for you.
I wouldn't tell you to give up applying to grad school altogether. I feel if there's any learning to be done, there's no time like now. You're not inclined either way, that's good, you want the best of both worlds, even better. There are a wide variety of cross-disciplinary master's degrees for folks like you. To quote some, the Information Science @ Cornell, the Master's in Information @ UMich, Information Systems at a variety of good schools. These degrees are meant for people who have a competitive balance of management and technical skills. You would make a really strong candidate for a si
I wouldn't tell you to give up applying to grad school altogether. I feel if there's any learning to be done, there's no time like now. You're not inclined either way, that's good, you want the best of both worlds, even better. There are a wide variety of cross-disciplinary master's degrees for folks like you. To quote some, the Information Science @ Cornell, the Master's in Information @ UMich, Information Systems at a variety of good schools. These degrees are meant for people who have a competitive balance of management and technical skills. You would make a really strong candidate for a similar program; they are all aimed towards honing skills and learning through interaction with students from different backgrounds. Definitely give internships a shot, there's no better experience but if you still feel the pull to stay in school, give these programs a thought! Best of luck.
Deciding between an MBA and an MS in Computer Science depends on your individual goals, interests, and desired career path.
Both offer exciting opportunities, but they cater to different skillsets and aspirations. Here's a breakdown to help you choose:
MBA:
- Focus: Develops business acumen, leadership skills, and strategic thinking abilities. Prepares you for management roles in various industries.
- Curriculum: Finance, accounting, marketing, operations, organizational behavior, communication, etc.
- Career Paths: Product manager, CEO, marketing manager, consultant, investment banker, general manager,
Deciding between an MBA and an MS in Computer Science depends on your individual goals, interests, and desired career path.
Both offer exciting opportunities, but they cater to different skillsets and aspirations. Here's a breakdown to help you choose:
MBA:
- Focus: Develops business acumen, leadership skills, and strategic thinking abilities. Prepares you for management roles in various industries.
- Curriculum: Finance, accounting, marketing, operations, organizational behavior, communication, etc.
- Career Paths: Product manager, CEO, marketing manager, consultant, investment banker, general manager, etc.
- Pros: Broadens your knowledge and skillset, opens doors to diverse leadership roles, potentially higher earning potential in some areas.
- Cons: May require additional business experience depending on program, less technical focus, potentially lower initial salary compared to MS in CS.
MS in Computer Science:
- Focus: Deepens your technical expertise in computer science, specializing in areas like AI, machine learning, software engineering, or data science.
- Curriculum: Advanced algorithms, data structures, programming languages, computer architecture, machine learning, software engineering, etc.
- Career Paths: Software engineer, machine learning engineer, data scientist, software architect, system engineer, CTO, etc.
- Pros: Enhances your technical skills and marketability, potentially higher initial salary compared to MBA in some areas, opens doors to cutting-edge technology fields.
- Cons: Narrower focus may limit career options outside of technology, potentially longer study duration in some cases.
Here are some additional factors to consider:
- Your current experience: If you have years of industry experience, an MBA might be more valuable. If you're recent graduates, an MS in CS might be more helpful.
- Your interests: Do you enjoy building things (MS in CS) or leading teams (MBA)?
- Your career goals: What kind of role do you want in the long run?
- Financial considerations: Both programs can be expensive, so research costs and potential for return on investment.
Ultimately, the best choice is the one that aligns with your strengths, interests, and long-term career aspirations.
Here are some resources to help you make an informed decision:
- Talk to professionals in both fields: Get insights from individuals working in roles you're interested in.
- Attend graduate school fairs and information sessions: Learn more about specific programs and their offerings.
- Use online tools and resources: Some websites can help you compare different programs and assess your compatibility.
Remember, there's no right or wrong answer. Take your time, consider all factors, and choose the path that excites you and fulfills your career aspirations.
I hope this information helps you make an informed decision! Feel free to ask any further questions you may have about specific programs, career paths, or resources.
A2A. From the details, the questioner is a senior software engineer looking for training for their next job as a solution architect.
I believe you have reach the crossroad because the next job for a senior software engineer is either a first line manager or a more senior staff position, so the question boils down to training for your next job and your next, next job.
If you BSCS is enough of the next staff level, then you should do an MBA. If it is not and you want to continue your technical development, you should do an MSCS.
When you advance to very senior staff positions, you really need to un
A2A. From the details, the questioner is a senior software engineer looking for training for their next job as a solution architect.
I believe you have reach the crossroad because the next job for a senior software engineer is either a first line manager or a more senior staff position, so the question boils down to training for your next job and your next, next job.
If you BSCS is enough of the next staff level, then you should do an MBA. If it is not and you want to continue your technical development, you should do an MSCS.
When you advance to very senior staff positions, you really need to understand managerese. To do that, I recommend you do all Wharton Specializations | Coursera before starting an MBA program.
Note: I would like to know your next, next job after a solution architect to see if an MSCS is even the right training.
I faced this question couple of years ago, though my options were different, no one can give 100% correct answer to this question other than you.
Just think of what you like, administration or technology, if you are hard core technical guy then MS would be good option, or else if you are thinking from the perspective earning good salary go for MBA in some reputed institute, I am not saying that in the other option you can't get good salary, but it takes little bit of more time.
There are three variables involved "EMT", Energy, Money and Time. Just evaluate how much you can spend and earn, with
I faced this question couple of years ago, though my options were different, no one can give 100% correct answer to this question other than you.
Just think of what you like, administration or technology, if you are hard core technical guy then MS would be good option, or else if you are thinking from the perspective earning good salary go for MBA in some reputed institute, I am not saying that in the other option you can't get good salary, but it takes little bit of more time.
There are three variables involved "EMT", Energy, Money and Time. Just evaluate how much you can spend and earn, with respect to all three variables, then finally take your decision.
All the best for your future.
The choice between an MBA and an MS in Computer Science depends on your career goals. An MBA is more focused on business and management skills, while an MS in Computer Science will deepen your technical expertise. Consider what role you aspire to and which skills are essential in that field.
Completely different training for two completely different jobs. It also depends on which school the programs are at. If both are at relatively low ranked schools, and you really like computers/programming, do the MS in CS as it would be more employable (at much higher pay) since MBAs at low ranked schools are not hugely employable (I know several folks with MBAs from so so schools who essentially
Completely different training for two completely different jobs. It also depends on which school the programs are at. If both are at relatively low ranked schools, and you really like computers/programming, do the MS in CS as it would be more employable (at much higher pay) since MBAs at low ranked schools are not hugely employable (I know several folks with MBAs from so so schools who essentially work as program managers/high level administrative assistants). If the programs are at high ranked schools, it is more debatable as the MBA can start to open doors to jobs whose salary will start to meet (or surpass) what a MS in CS can earn. Then, think really hard about what you want to be doing going forward. MBAs are intended as management track training, the MS in CS gives a high level of technical skill.
As an addendum…I noticed that the poster was a foreigner interested in programs in the USA. If this person wants to stay in...
You are absolutely right, it looks good on paper but do you need it? Are you looking to climb the corporate ladder? Big companies are hung up on them. Smaller companies not at all.
Smaller companies want result oriented people not big degrees. Save your money and find other ways to learn with the formal degree.
Hi
If you are pursuing B.tech CSE and now you don’t want to coding jobs, then you can go for management degree- MBA. It will open wide range of opportunities for you from career perspective view.
There are a lot of benefits for MBA, such as:
1. New job positions are open to you.
2. New career paths are open to you.
3. Your earning potential increases.
4. Your professional skills improve.
5. You enjoy greater job security.
6. Your world perspective grows.
7. You expand your professional network.
8. You are more knowledgeable in areas most important to your career.
9. You become a respected member of your
Hi
If you are pursuing B.tech CSE and now you don’t want to coding jobs, then you can go for management degree- MBA. It will open wide range of opportunities for you from career perspective view.
There are a lot of benefits for MBA, such as:
1. New job positions are open to you.
2. New career paths are open to you.
3. Your earning potential increases.
4. Your professional skills improve.
5. You enjoy greater job security.
6. Your world perspective grows.
7. You expand your professional network.
8. You are more knowledgeable in areas most important to your career.
9. You become a respected member of your business community.
After MBA you can work as:
1. Management Trainee
2. Branch Manager
3. Store Manager
4. Sales Manager
5. Marketing Manager
6. Relationship Manager
7. HR executive
You can pursue your MBA in different streams like MBA, Information technology, Hospital and Healthcare management, International Business, Tourism and hospitality, Supply chain and logistics, Financial markets, Banking and insurance or you can go for MBA (HONS) also.
But the most important thing is that you should choose the best university or institute for pursuing your master’s which offer good placements and offers you good practical and industrial exposure like Lovely Professional university, Christ university, Chandigarh university and few others.
I hope it helps.
I used to think that an MBA was the answer to any career advancement. Generally, MBA’s are designed to prepare you for upward job mobility. They create job opportunities and higher salaries. They are not the most academic degree to acquire, compared with an MS in Finance or an MS in Global Logistics for example. However, they are designed for students of all academic and career backgrounds.
However, more recently, with the ever increasing expansion of STEM jobs (science, technology, engineering and math), I am beginning to think that the better choice is the MS in Computer Science. Data mining,
I used to think that an MBA was the answer to any career advancement. Generally, MBA’s are designed to prepare you for upward job mobility. They create job opportunities and higher salaries. They are not the most academic degree to acquire, compared with an MS in Finance or an MS in Global Logistics for example. However, they are designed for students of all academic and career backgrounds.
However, more recently, with the ever increasing expansion of STEM jobs (science, technology, engineering and math), I am beginning to think that the better choice is the MS in Computer Science. Data mining, analysis, and modeling skills are increasingly being used in non-IT departments. In my own career, computer programming and relational database modeling skills have steadily grown to become some of the best tools I have in Financial Analysis and Financial Systems. When I started my professional career, some 16 years ago, we regularly requested data from the IT department. They would send us a spreadsheet with the data, and we would then spend time validating the data before the data could be used reliably in reporting and analysis. Now, the current practice is to pull the data ourselves since we know the operational data relationships and can reconcile the data accurately.
So, having a degree in Computer Science is highly beneficial to many departments, and can be readily applied in many fields. This allows your skills to potentially add value in several different career fields. The MBA gives you a little knowledge in many business areas, which is great for management. However, the MS in Computer Science allows you to immediately add value to multiple departments. I would think this readily applicable value-add proposition could get you some good positions in several different ares and companies.
There are three to four specialisations other than coding. Information systems,, Analytics etc. From admission point of view, entry into MS is easier. Many colleges offer admission with low GRE scores. Yes, you need to have good scores for real good colleges. Overall outflow of money in MS is less, you can also earn by way of informal work, in addition to some financial aid. Extended stay after th
There are three to four specialisations other than coding. Information systems,, Analytics etc. From admission point of view, entry into MS is easier. Many colleges offer admission with low GRE scores. Yes, you need to have good scores for real good colleges. Overall outflow of money in MS is less, you can also earn by way of informal work, in addition to some financial aid. Extended stay after the program helps you for a better ROI at early...
I stayed in my job while completing my part time MBA. I don’t think the topics are difficult, but the work is very time demanding. There were semesters where I felt that I took on too much, but I got through it.
I could not imagine doing two master’s programs at once. #1 I need a life #2 How would having two degrees in completely separate fields benefit me?
If you are in a business-oriented career path, chances are the only “techy” things that would help you are knowing how to work with relational databases, visual basic, light SQL, and (not very common) Python or R.
I don’t know what makes up a
I stayed in my job while completing my part time MBA. I don’t think the topics are difficult, but the work is very time demanding. There were semesters where I felt that I took on too much, but I got through it.
I could not imagine doing two master’s programs at once. #1 I need a life #2 How would having two degrees in completely separate fields benefit me?
If you are in a business-oriented career path, chances are the only “techy” things that would help you are knowing how to work with relational databases, visual basic, light SQL, and (not very common) Python or R.
I don’t know what makes up a CS degree but I am going to assume it’s a lot of statistics, other high level math, Java and C++. The math helps but only if you can apply the logic. I have never seen Java, C++, networking knowledge, or advanced OS knowledge being used by an accountant, financial analyst, marketing professional, economics, HR professional, etc.
What career path are you on and what is your undergraduate degree in? I would not suggest doing anything online.
According to your question you don’t want to go on a technical(coding) field after your BTech.
MS is again for a technical field which will have more coding jobs then others.
MBA is not related to any coding at all.
A little background - I am a 24yo male, mechanical graduate from India. Entry level mechanical jobs here are all under paid and even require travelling to remote places to do the job. So I ended up taking a role as a retail planner just for the money.
I want to go abroad and study further but not sure if I want to:
1. Do MIM or an MBA and get started on the management path
2. Do MS in Computer Science and try something in cyber security (I like coding and am familiar with C,C++,python and bash scripting - always had the aptitude to work with software and code)
3. Do MEng in a mechanical f
A little background - I am a 24yo male, mechanical graduate from India. Entry level mechanical jobs here are all under paid and even require travelling to remote places to do the job. So I ended up taking a role as a retail planner just for the money.
I want to go abroad and study further but not sure if I want to:
1. Do MIM or an MBA and get started on the management path
2. Do MS in Computer Science and try something in cyber security (I like coding and am familiar with C,C++,python and bash scripting - always had the aptitude to work with software and code)
3. Do MEng in a mechanical field like mechatronics and try my luck there (but worried about the money I would have to dish out for projects to build a portfolio)
The reason I am so worried is that I am quite poor and can put up one shot to try any of the above abroad somewhere and try making decent money to support my folks here
I am not a passionate person, but I like all of the above. I am quite lost. Thanks in advance
Better for whom ? Some would prefer MBA, others would prefer MS.
It all depends on you, what your strengths, weaknesses and interests are.
Post-graduation I worked for about 2–3 years before seriously considering about higher education. Still I wasn’t sure which way to go. I was irresolute and paralyzed.
I appeared for CAT and was selected for some IIMs but didn't join back then.
5 years later, I
Better for whom ? Some would prefer MBA, others would prefer MS.
It all depends on you, what your strengths, weaknesses and interests are.
Post-graduation I worked for about 2–3 years before seriously considering about higher education. Still I wasn’t sure which way to go. I was irresolute and paralyzed.
I appeared for CAT and was selected for some IIMs but didn't join back then.
5 years later, I applied for MBA and even got an ISB admit but again decided not to go ahead and have recently appeared for GRE.
So here are some learnings from my tortuous journey.
* People try to weigh all the career paths out there and try to find the best one. Please don’t. Seriously ! It all depends on the frame of reference.
So the first important point is to realize that -
There is no absolute better path. It’s all relative !!
* Read blogs, try to interact with seniors who are at-least 5 years in their respective career paths, so that you get an idea about what you can expect. Try to gather as much information as possible but don’t overdo it. People often overestimate the importance of this step.
* Instead look inwards. Introspect and find who you are, what you like, what you can endure. Self-awareness is the key to a satisfactory career choice, or to any major life decision for that matter.
Introspection is normally underestimated.
* Introspection and Self-awareness sounds easy on paper, but its quite difficult in practice. You don’t know your taste unless you have tried something and of course you cannot try everything.
* So, try to identify a pattern.
Are you a generalist or a specialist.
Do you like working alone or are you a people person.
Do you enjoy doing real stuff on ground or dealing with the big picture.
Do you want to work peacefully or maybe you enjoy action.
Are you a breadth person or a depth person.
What do you like to do in your free time or when you have relatively less constraints. and so on…. You get the gist.
* One of the important tests t...
Hi,
As per my suggestion you should go with MBA. DO that in India or foreign country doesn't matter. Or try to create interest in programming which can take sometime and hard way for you as well but that's what will make you successful in future.
I don’t know which country you work in or what you classify as “IT.”
In the U.S. tech industry, these are my observations of the MBA:
- The MBA is generally not about managing technical people directly. It’s about marketing and managing money.
- MBAs without a technical background have very little chance of entering the tech industry.
- MBAs in the tech industry often get laid off in the economic downturn after their graduation and never reenter. I know several who have been out of work for years in 2024.
For the master’s in computer science:
- Not all master’s degrees are equal. More coursework doesn’t nec
I don’t know which country you work in or what you classify as “IT.”
In the U.S. tech industry, these are my observations of the MBA:
- The MBA is generally not about managing technical people directly. It’s about marketing and managing money.
- MBAs without a technical background have very little chance of entering the tech industry.
- MBAs in the tech industry often get laid off in the economic downturn after their graduation and never reenter. I know several who have been out of work for years in 2024.
For the master’s in computer science:
- Not all master’s degrees are equal. More coursework doesn’t necessarily make you a better worker.
- Master’s degrees can be valuable, but they should not be relied on to “fix” anything. Companies hire people for what they do, not what degrees they possess.
You should define where you want your destination to be, then you figure out what degrees or other education you need to get there. If you want high demand relative to supply and relative job stability, I would do the computer science master’s.
I'm a mechanical engineer and now I'm studying MBA. I wanted a change because I'm not interested in engineering.
I have even seen people who love engineering study MBA. They study MBA because they think of it as an essential quality and they are willing to learn it.
If you’ve always wanted the MBA, just for the sake of the credential, I wouldn’t pursue it. If you want to start your own business and know how to do it right, or become better informed about a particular business-side aspect (finance, marketing, other), go for the MBA.
If you know you like CS stuff (programming, etc.), and you want to specialize, go for the MS in CS. Being able to use programming languages and really knowing how to program are very different things. If you want to do software and do it well, the MS is a great investment.
What do you like about CS? Is it software? Are you keen t
If you’ve always wanted the MBA, just for the sake of the credential, I wouldn’t pursue it. If you want to start your own business and know how to do it right, or become better informed about a particular business-side aspect (finance, marketing, other), go for the MBA.
If you know you like CS stuff (programming, etc.), and you want to specialize, go for the MS in CS. Being able to use programming languages and really knowing how to program are very different things. If you want to do software and do it well, the MS is a great investment.
What do you like about CS? Is it software? Are you keen to learn ML or something else?
In short, go for what you like, not a credential you’ve always wanted to have.
If you are from india there is a course called BCA . go for that then after BCA go for MCA
if you wanna learn programming start with c not c++ . c and cpp very different language . if you learn c well you can learn other very easily
This really depends on what - ultimately - you intend to do with your career.
If you intend to work on the technical side of the house - an MBA isn’t probably going to do you a lot of good in MOST places.
If you work for Google, and you intend to be in the research part (doing stuff with the search engine, designing algorithms for autonomous vehicles, etc. etc.) an MBA doesn’t do you any good (it is a BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION degree).
However, if you want to work at a company that builds business software (like I do) having a firm grasp on business as a discipline IN ADDITION TO your technical kno
This really depends on what - ultimately - you intend to do with your career.
If you intend to work on the technical side of the house - an MBA isn’t probably going to do you a lot of good in MOST places.
If you work for Google, and you intend to be in the research part (doing stuff with the search engine, designing algorithms for autonomous vehicles, etc. etc.) an MBA doesn’t do you any good (it is a BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION degree).
However, if you want to work at a company that builds business software (like I do) having a firm grasp on business as a discipline IN ADDITION TO your technical knowledge WILL be an advantage.
If you ever intend to move into management, an MBA is useful - if you intend to never be in management, an MBA is less useful.
Given no further facts, I would generally say decide WHAT you want to do, and figure out the vehicle to get there. Endlessly wasting money and time on education is fruitless if you have no clue what you want to do. There are plenty of people flipping burgers or working on help desks with advanced degrees.
There are also people who have no education what so ever and who manage to get high paying technical jobs.
The big difference is knowing WHAT you want to do, then finding the best path to it.
Best of Luck! Whatever you choose, if you choose wisely and love what you do - you have a good chance at being successful!
Entire introduction is speaking much about your low self confidence. It seems you are spending most of your time comparing yourself with others particularly with IITs and IIM. To tell you a story one of my brother - who studied Mech Engg in a government college - suspended from college for 3 years and failed final year 3 times - virtually completed engineering course in 9 years instead of 5 ( then) years, has come from a very middle class family, with no financial backup, no government or PSU jobs were forthcoming - he went to New Delhi worked in a automobile filter company for an year and r
Entire introduction is speaking much about your low self confidence. It seems you are spending most of your time comparing yourself with others particularly with IITs and IIM. To tell you a story one of my brother - who studied Mech Engg in a government college - suspended from college for 3 years and failed final year 3 times - virtually completed engineering course in 9 years instead of 5 ( then) years, has come from a very middle class family, with no financial backup, no government or PSU jobs were forthcoming - he went to New Delhi worked in a automobile filter company for an year and returned to his state and with the help of few friends started first Automobile Filter manufacturing co., and today the company is OEM supplier for national automobile brands, employing around 200 people with a good turnover, and there are 10 companies in the state ( of different sizes) manufacturing filters - all the owners of these companies were ex employees of my brother's co.
I may have a GPA, passed IIM or IIT or MBA from a world class university - but when I lack motivation, ambition, creative spirit and innovative skills - all my degrees and education and GPA becomes waste. If I have done some professional course in a good university with good marks - I should be able to develop or give employment to few more people from my state or from my region, then my education has got some value.
If you continue to compare and criticize yourself to earn pity or sympathy - you get exactly that, not any more. Period.
Its up to you to steer your life.. the driving wheel in your hand, you should know whether you are driving bike or car or truck - that is for you to decide. If you ask this question in social media, can you digest analysis we made? the questions we ask? the negative remarks we make? Or just because I am driving a Benz Car - shall I ask you to go and buy Benz car and then drive?
I am very much interested in entrepreneurship and want to start something of my own(probably a tech startup) someday and want to grow it into a good business. I want to do something that helps me earn good money and is good for society as well. But for now I feel I am not skilled enough and above that don't have a good idea for that. I have few ideas but according to me they don't have much potential.
Entrepreneurship is different and start-up ( tech start-up) is different. Just two hours back I saw in NDTV that there are few "millions" of start-ups. Do you want to be one among them ? Or do you want to differentiate yourself? Good education, good business, good name, good money and good idea that too good for society - you are asking so many goods. Restrict them to few for your own Good. Good business with good returns need not be good idea and good for society and there are other permutations and combinations.
2. Get a mediocre job - Get some work experience for a year or two and then, think of a startup if I can or if required(if there's not much growth and no idea for a startup), go for an MS or an MBA.
Why you call it mediocre job? In fact you don't need job, you need expertise, of running a business, knowledge on marketing, insight about strategy and management and these are available in companies - where salary is less but responsibility is more. And most of the actual business practices and methods are not printed in any management books, they are not taught in any "any" business school but need to be learned.
3. Get an MBA from a decent Indian college - Forget technical things and get into finance and stuff.
Without understanding the finance you don't try to get into business. MBA is not mere finance . Better you go for either finance or marketing.
This much about you. Konstantinos Konstantinides has given realistic analysis. I have no expertise on that side.
Thanks and best of luck
A2A. Is an MBA or a master's in CS degree very intense? How about the MBA & MS together? Do you have to leave your current job to pursue a grad school degree? What are your experiences?
Intensity is determined by the schools. For example, Berkeley MBA and MSCS would be more intense than CSU East Bay.
Because there are part-time MBA and MSCS programs available, many professionals do not leave their jobs. However, as of this writing November 2021, the top MBA programs are not available online.
My experiences are too far in the past to be of any use.
Well, if you have natural business sense, I would go in the tech direction in terms of education. Starting and successfully leading a tech startup as a non-technical founder is extremely difficult, not impossible of course. I think if you read on business enough and have the drive/ social/ communication skills needed, it could be a good combination with tech skills and dev understanding. There is a nightmare standing between you and the MVP, especially if you don’t have a great CTO right from the start. First-hand experience here. I am guessing there are guys who think differently, but general
Well, if you have natural business sense, I would go in the tech direction in terms of education. Starting and successfully leading a tech startup as a non-technical founder is extremely difficult, not impossible of course. I think if you read on business enough and have the drive/ social/ communication skills needed, it could be a good combination with tech skills and dev understanding. There is a nightmare standing between you and the MVP, especially if you don’t have a great CTO right from the start. First-hand experience here. I am guessing there are guys who think differently, but generally, I think most stories are somewhere in the vicinity of what I am describing. It is quite logical. If you can be absolutely positive you have a driven, here-to-stay CTO with great coding skills and full understanding of the product vision, then you may get off somewhat easier.
Maybe! It was for me. Run this simple experiment to see if it's worth it for you.
My UC Berkeley MBA opened incredible doors for me. It lead to an internship at Nest, a fellowship opportunity at Kleiner Perkins and ultimately a job as a Product Manager at Google. None of these things were within reasonable reach for me before my MBA.
However, I was unsure of the value of an MBA at first. Many successful people have them, but I'd witnessed a number of prominent folks in Sillicon Valley put down the degree. So, after being accepted to UC Berkeley's MBA program, I ran an experiment before deciding
Maybe! It was for me. Run this simple experiment to see if it's worth it for you.
My UC Berkeley MBA opened incredible doors for me. It lead to an internship at Nest, a fellowship opportunity at Kleiner Perkins and ultimately a job as a Product Manager at Google. None of these things were within reasonable reach for me before my MBA.
However, I was unsure of the value of an MBA at first. Many successful people have them, but I'd witnessed a number of prominent folks in Sillicon Valley put down the degree. So, after being accepted to UC Berkeley's MBA program, I ran an experiment before deciding whether or not to enroll.
I updated my resume and LinkedIn profile with "UC Berkeley MBA, 2015 Candidate" (it was 2013 at the time). Then, I started applying to PM jobs. Prominent companies that had recently ignored me suddenly asked if I wanted to interview. Recruiters didn't always notice the "2015 Candidate" detail until I pointed it out, at which point some asked if I'd like to interview anyway. They said simply being accepted to UC Berkeley's MBA program was a strong signal.
This was clearly not a perfectly controlled experiment, but I still felt it gave me more insight than any of the opinion articles I had read and the positive recruiter responses gave me the data I needed to make my decision.
If you're considering joining an MBA program, I highly suggest you run an experiment of your own. Results will vary, depending on the school you list, your previous work experience, and other variables. However, I think it's one of the best ways to get insight into whether an MBA from a given school would help you.
One more thing! Another crucial data point...
Reputable schools publish employment stats, which include % (self) employed after graduation, which companies graduates work for, and how much money graduates make (note this does not always include equity and cash bonuses, which substantially raises total comp). If you look at a school's employment stats and get excited then getting an MBA from that school is likely worth it for you (you'll also want to consider cultural fit, among other things). Take advantage of this incredible data point! If a school doesn't share all that information, you should strongly consider dropping it from your list of options.
Ok, one last thing! Yet another data point...
Look for people on LinkedIn that have an MBA from the school you are considering. Do they have (or have they had in the past) the jobs you want 5-10 years from now? If so, that's another strong indicator that an MBA from that school would help you.
In summary, three main data points...
1) Your experiment results
2) Employment statistics
3) Alumni who are 5-10 years your senior
Good luck making the best decision for you!
This is a typical dilemma most engineers face sometime during or after their BE/B Tech course.
I was myself in a similar dilemma of sorts (14 years before).
There’s no easy or straight forward answer to this. It varies from person to person.
But here are a few points to ponder over to help you arrive to a decision that’s best for you.
1. MS is a good option if
2.
1. You are really good in your academ
This is a typical dilemma most engineers face sometime during or after their BE/B Tech course.
I was myself in a similar dilemma of sorts (14 years before).
There’s no easy or straight forward answer to this. It varies from person to person.
But here are a few points to ponder over to help you arrive to a decision that’s best for you.
1. MS is a good option if
2.
1. You are really good in your academics especially during your BE/BTech
2. You like Computer science engineering and can’t think of anything else as an option to pursue a career and that means the next 30–35 years of your life.
3. This is a good option if you wish to settle abroad
4. You will need to give the GRE & TOEFL, write a Statement of Purpose
5. Cost wise it will be 2 to 2.5 times the cost of the most expens...
Neither will offset the cost in obtaining with extra salary.
An MBA from a run of the mill school is worthless. So don’t even think about getting an MBA from anything but a top ranked school.
I have my MBA from the Darden School at UVA and it has probably added $10,000 a year to my salary, but it will take a lifetime of that to offset the $200,000 in tuition, books and living expenses incurred while obtaining my MBA.
A Master’s in Computer Science is totally worthless. I see guys and gals get jobs everyday that have experience over those with degrees in IT. A summer internship at Microsoft, Oracl
Neither will offset the cost in obtaining with extra salary.
An MBA from a run of the mill school is worthless. So don’t even think about getting an MBA from anything but a top ranked school.
I have my MBA from the Darden School at UVA and it has probably added $10,000 a year to my salary, but it will take a lifetime of that to offset the $200,000 in tuition, books and living expenses incurred while obtaining my MBA.
A Master’s in Computer Science is totally worthless. I see guys and gals get jobs everyday that have experience over those with degrees in IT. A summer internship at Microsoft, Oracle or SAP is worth thousands more than either an MBA or MS CS.
I have an MBA, and while I'm happy to have one, I think I got it for the wrong reasons. If I had to do it again, I would have gotten something in the hard sciences like cryptography or mathematics (just my personal choice).
In the late 1990's and early 2000's, MBA's were something of a fad, simply everyone was getting one. Coupled at the time was the fact I was working for IBM, and could not conceive the possibility of working anywhere else. I loved working there and was really proud of being an IBMer. I was going to work there forever!
Then the layoffs and offshoring of IBM jobs started happeni
I have an MBA, and while I'm happy to have one, I think I got it for the wrong reasons. If I had to do it again, I would have gotten something in the hard sciences like cryptography or mathematics (just my personal choice).
In the late 1990's and early 2000's, MBA's were something of a fad, simply everyone was getting one. Coupled at the time was the fact I was working for IBM, and could not conceive the possibility of working anywhere else. I loved working there and was really proud of being an IBMer. I was going to work there forever!
Then the layoffs and offshoring of IBM jobs started happening, and in one meeting my then PDM (personnel development manager) made an offhand remark that everyone except the MBA's were getting laid off. While that alone didn't set me off, it was the spark to apply for business school that very day. I got into a reputable one (although not Harvard or Kellogg, just a established accredited school with good rankings), did fairly well, and got laid off from IBM anyway. My last few months at IBM was me scrambling away from technology and into sales, which I didn't like much after all, but if it kept me at IBM, maybe I could learn to like it. A moot point, I was terminated with some 10,000 other people at the same time.
The MBA did help me find new work though, and helped me with my career and the ability to evaluate new projects and work better with people, and made me comfortable with leadership. I don't necessarily like being in management, but given the choice between me and someone else with little experience, I can step up.
So to answer your question, since it seems you want a yes or no answer, I would say no, the MBA is not worth getting.
To qualify this 'no':
1) The MBA program is something you can learn on your own. Subscribe to the Harvard Business Journal, read the classic MBA textbooks, and there just might be a free MBA type course you can take online. This assumes you are interested in knowledge and not just the credentials.
2) The MBA program is a lot about networking. If you get to a top ranking program like Kellogg or Harvard, you will make excellent connections, and that alone can be worth the money. Going to a good ranking but otherwise unremarkable school like I did got me some new friends, but not make connections that would be invaluable. I have connections with very nice people working as middle managers for Fortune 500 and small companies, not future presidents of the United States.
3) If credentials are important, I would strongly recommend you get a 'hard' credential in science or mathematics, the kind of skill that products are built on. You can still learn the soft MBA skills on your own on top of that.
So that's my take on it. Your mileage may vary!
Derrick
If you are following the traditional path of consulting - two years at least as an Analyst followed by an MBA at a top MBA program, then the MBA is probably better than the MS. However programs such as John Hopkins MBA program had to retool its program to couple it with John Hopkins traditional strength in Medicine. Additionally numerous MBA programs are emphasizing/strengthening data analysis.
There is some introspection for even the top MBA programs and retooling of their curriculum. The explosion of big data and MS degrees in Business Analytics, Financial Engineering, Data Science or Certifi
If you are following the traditional path of consulting - two years at least as an Analyst followed by an MBA at a top MBA program, then the MBA is probably better than the MS. However programs such as John Hopkins MBA program had to retool its program to couple it with John Hopkins traditional strength in Medicine. Additionally numerous MBA programs are emphasizing/strengthening data analysis.
There is some introspection for even the top MBA programs and retooling of their curriculum. The explosion of big data and MS degrees in Business Analytics, Financial Engineering, Data Science or Certificates in Business Analytics, Data Science is causing a decline in applications to traditional MBA programs. If I were to do it over, I would likely have supplemented my engineering undergraduate with math courses as I did at HSU, venture into accounting only as far as Interm
That's a good question and at the same time a very simple one as well.
To me both are fine but, in my opinion a person should either do MBA or MS and not both. I feel this for the reasons below:
- Both are post grad
- If a person is from btech and can afford to go abroad then I would suggest MS.
- But doing MS and getting a job abroad especially with all the hate crimes and hostile job environment makes no sense to me. But again that's my opinion.
- Now if a person gets a good percentile in CAT then I suggest pursuing MBA as it will pay well in future.
- Doing MS after MBA makes little sense as most of the te
That's a good question and at the same time a very simple one as well.
To me both are fine but, in my opinion a person should either do MBA or MS and not both. I feel this for the reasons below:
- Both are post grad
- If a person is from btech and can afford to go abroad then I would suggest MS.
- But doing MS and getting a job abroad especially with all the hate crimes and hostile job environment makes no sense to me. But again that's my opinion.
- Now if a person gets a good percentile in CAT then I suggest pursuing MBA as it will pay well in future.
- Doing MS after MBA makes little sense as most of the technical knowledge will be wipped out during the MBA years and a person might face difficulty in doing MS
Now if a person wants to do both then I suggest to btech then MS and then work for 5 years then pursue MBA
MAKES SENSE !!!
A2A. Unlike an MBA, does it matter which school you earned your MS in Computer Science?
Yes, it matters, or else you would not be asking this question.
If you think for one moment that my resume does not open doors that others may not, you would be mistaken. Furthermore, I have alumni that post their jobs on my alumni association jobs board, so the phrase “it is not only what you know but who you knows” applies here.
While my resume may get me in the door, my accomplishments and skillset keeps me in the building. You are only as good as your last accomplishment.
Side note: If you are shopping for
A2A. Unlike an MBA, does it matter which school you earned your MS in Computer Science?
Yes, it matters, or else you would not be asking this question.
If you think for one moment that my resume does not open doors that others may not, you would be mistaken. Furthermore, I have alumni that post their jobs on my alumni association jobs board, so the phrase “it is not only what you know but who you knows” applies here.
While my resume may get me in the door, my accomplishments and skillset keeps me in the building. You are only as good as your last accomplishment.
Side note: If you are shopping for a professional MSCS program, I recommend Georgia Tech online MSCS program that is the same, same degree, as their on campus program that costs around $7K in 2018. It is just as good as other course based master’s. What this means is you should be look for MSCS program that are just as good as Georgia Tech with funding. See What is needed to get into Georgia Tech online MSCS program, official answer.
Honestly sounds like you're doing outstanding and can't go wrong either way. Tons of companies seeking MBAs would love the analytical prowess you would bring to a management position. Alternatively, after a PhD I can imagine you'd be an outstanding candidate for becoming a chief data scientist or chief data officer (if that doesn't exist already it soon will).
Clearly you like numbers, do you love research? I am getting an MBA but would not be haopy doing research. I like the open ended, not usually a "right" answer scenarios of an MBA. I love strategy and the psychology of customer and organiz
Honestly sounds like you're doing outstanding and can't go wrong either way. Tons of companies seeking MBAs would love the analytical prowess you would bring to a management position. Alternatively, after a PhD I can imagine you'd be an outstanding candidate for becoming a chief data scientist or chief data officer (if that doesn't exist already it soon will).
Clearly you like numbers, do you love research? I am getting an MBA but would not be haopy doing research. I like the open ended, not usually a "right" answer scenarios of an MBA. I love strategy and the psychology of customer and organizational behavior. If what I mentioned sounds great to you, an MBA is a good fit. If you prefer to stay analytical or enjoy research, go for the PhD. Either way connect with me in LinkedIn, you have quite a unique skill set that I believe will only become more valuable over time.
From the way you have framed your question, it seems as if you have the notion that an MBA is actually a general course to be done by anyone who does not wish to continue in his or her chosen field of undergraduate studies.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Management studies is a very specific field of education that requires a certain mix of aptitude and attitude that is not easy to find.
The curriculum at some of the top B-Schools is so tough that the courses have often been compared to army boot camps. To do an MBA from a reputed B-School, you have to compete against some of the bright
From the way you have framed your question, it seems as if you have the notion that an MBA is actually a general course to be done by anyone who does not wish to continue in his or her chosen field of undergraduate studies.
Nothing could be farther from the truth.
Management studies is a very specific field of education that requires a certain mix of aptitude and attitude that is not easy to find.
The curriculum at some of the top B-Schools is so tough that the courses have often been compared to army boot camps. To do an MBA from a reputed B-School, you have to compete against some of the brightest minds across the nation.
So, do some research on what management studies entails and then decide if you are truly interested in getting into this field.
I do not believe that a MSCS (master’s in computer science) will improve one’s chances of getting into a “top tier” MBA program.
At Harvard Business School’s student profile of the Class 2024, 28% were engineering, and 14% were math and physical science, This leaves 58% as non-STEM.
More enlightening is the “Pre-MBA Industry” background of 16% consulting, 10% financial, 14% technology, 16% ...
You already have enough education. Apparently, you are comfortable in the educational environment but at sometime in your life you have to earn a living.
Okay, sales wasn’t for you. but what about using databases to produce mailing lists and analytics for your employer. If you are unemployed now try for a job in Computer Science even if you have to start off as a data entry clerk. Volunteer for any jobs and perhaps you’ll hit on one that will boost your reputation with the employer and give you more varied jobs to work with. Once you become the “go-to-guy” for off hand jobs you are on your way
You already have enough education. Apparently, you are comfortable in the educational environment but at sometime in your life you have to earn a living.
Okay, sales wasn’t for you. but what about using databases to produce mailing lists and analytics for your employer. If you are unemployed now try for a job in Computer Science even if you have to start off as a data entry clerk. Volunteer for any jobs and perhaps you’ll hit on one that will boost your reputation with the employer and give you more varied jobs to work with. Once you become the “go-to-guy” for off hand jobs you are on your way to a solid job at this employer.
Your low GPA may indicate that Graduate school may not the best place for you. It is true though that as an undergraduate you are forced to study topics of little interest (say chemistry) which may influence your grades. Taking this into account, take a look at your grades. Where did you excel? What is your GPA in your CS classes, especially in senior year?
Graduate school is 10 times more difficult, so unless you enjoy studying CS courses, skip it for now.
An MBA is too soon for you.
So, it appears that the best avenue for now is to get a job and be a STAR in it. Learn as much as you can
Your low GPA may indicate that Graduate school may not the best place for you. It is true though that as an undergraduate you are forced to study topics of little interest (say chemistry) which may influence your grades. Taking this into account, take a look at your grades. Where did you excel? What is your GPA in your CS classes, especially in senior year?
Graduate school is 10 times more difficult, so unless you enjoy studying CS courses, skip it for now.
An MBA is too soon for you.
So, it appears that the best avenue for now is to get a job and be a STAR in it. Learn as much as you can and try to be involved in as many aspects of the business as you can (programming, marketing, sales, etc.). This should give you a good foundation to either go to school later or start your own business.
A2A.
Sure it is a good idea if it benefits you in the long run and look forward to build your own start-up company. Assuming that you don’t know much about business and want to learn about the theoretical aspects of business/entrepreneurship.
Technically, an MBA isn’t needed unless you need to. Adding more degrees doesn’t necessarily make you a better person over others who would have used that time getting the experience needed to build their own company. Furthermore, it seems financially illogical to get an MBA right after pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science. In the United States, a
A2A.
Sure it is a good idea if it benefits you in the long run and look forward to build your own start-up company. Assuming that you don’t know much about business and want to learn about the theoretical aspects of business/entrepreneurship.
Technically, an MBA isn’t needed unless you need to. Adding more degrees doesn’t necessarily make you a better person over others who would have used that time getting the experience needed to build their own company. Furthermore, it seems financially illogical to get an MBA right after pursuing a Master’s degree in Computer Science. In the United States, any Master’s degrees are extremely expensive and unless you have the financial resources to pursue it.
This is an important question that you have to make… Knowledge or Experience.
Remember that you can always come back and pursue any degree unrelated to your current degree.
Best.