Ok so which one is more important when trying to find a job?
Discussion - Master's Degree vs. Certifications
Both are important. I recommend you get some certifications first then get your Master's degree.
In the field of telecommunication engineering and networking, CISCO certifications are highly recommended as they are highly requested in the field. In the IT field, MrClass is right about both being of the same importance, but target certifications first before going for a Master's degree.
Why should certifications be targeted before a Master's degree?
certifications give you practical experience which you need to have a decent job. When you get a job and get certified, pursue you masters degree. Currently, I am studying for the microsoft certifications while having a job. Once I get certified, I am sure I will be able to get a better job. Better job means you can afford paying the masters tuition fees, by then, do your masters.
I think this is what I should be doing as well. Do I need to attend any classes in order to pursue a certification, or cam I do that by myself in my free time? Moreover, how do I take the certification exams?MrClass wrotecertifications give you practical experience which you need to have a decent job. When you get a job and get certified, pursue you masters degree. Currently, I am studying for the microsoft certifications while having a job. Once I get certified, I am sure I will be able to get a better job. Better job means you can afford paying the masters tuition fees, by then, do your masters.
It depends...
If you are trying to get into a specific field, then certifications are the way to go. If you are trying to get a job (foot in the door), then a masters is more preferable, especially in this and other arab countries. However, if you have a masters, you may have fewer job opportunities as companies know they have to pay more, and they don't want to. Strange but true.
If you are trying to get into a specific field, then certifications are the way to go. If you are trying to get a job (foot in the door), then a masters is more preferable, especially in this and other arab countries. However, if you have a masters, you may have fewer job opportunities as companies know they have to pay more, and they don't want to. Strange but true.
i think you can study for the exams without the need of taking any classes. that works at least with MCITP. I took 6 microsoft courses and heck, they all turned out to be reading from the books. The only advantage is that you have a skilled instructor instructor available to answer your questions. I attended courses at New Horizons, and yes of course it was beneficial.
I'm actually doing this right now. I've put off getting a Master's until I get some work experience and a couple certifications under my belt. As a Computer Engineer, Cisco certificates are really useful as mesa mentioned.
One thing though, don't get a certification with just the mindset that it's a paper you need to get a job. It's important to actually learn what's being taught and be able to apply it. That will make you a better candidate than all those other people who got the certificate just to get a job.
One other thing, too. I'm of the unpopular opinion that university is for education, not job training. What I mean is that you might be able to land a really good job without doing a Master's, and getting a good job should not be the sole reason you get a Master's. If you're going to get a graduate degree, then really think about it and pursue something you love and care about instead of the thing most likely to get you hired. Education, not training!
I'm not talking specifically to you, Kassem, just in general, you know what I mean. :)
One thing though, don't get a certification with just the mindset that it's a paper you need to get a job. It's important to actually learn what's being taught and be able to apply it. That will make you a better candidate than all those other people who got the certificate just to get a job.
One other thing, too. I'm of the unpopular opinion that university is for education, not job training. What I mean is that you might be able to land a really good job without doing a Master's, and getting a good job should not be the sole reason you get a Master's. If you're going to get a graduate degree, then really think about it and pursue something you love and care about instead of the thing most likely to get you hired. Education, not training!
I'm not talking specifically to you, Kassem, just in general, you know what I mean. :)
I am definitely not this type of person. Okey, I do want a good salary (not the stupid entry level salary), but that's not my only motivation. My biggest motivation is actually knowing how to do things... the proper way. And of course seeing that my time and effort paid off to produce something neat and valuable.saeidw wroteOne thing though, don't get a certification with just the mindset that it's a paper you need to get a job. It's important to actually learn what's being taught and be able to apply it. That will make you a better candidate than all those other people who got the certificate just to get a job.
I totally agree with you on this one. I strongly doubt any of my class mates who are going to graduate this summer (it is our final semester) can actually build a website or a desktop app.saeidw wroteOne other thing, too. I'm of the unpopular opinion that university is for education, not job training.
It's actually not at all. The reason why I'm tempted to go for a Master's degree is because the MIS Master's program in my faculty is VERY tempting. There are some really good courses there, including Artificial Intelligence, Advanced Database Systems, Software Engineering, and Project Management. I believe those could help enhance my skill-set and make a better developer out of me.saeidw wroteand getting a good job should not be the sole reason you get a Master's.
So yeah I know I could get a job without the Master's degree or even the certification. Once you're good at what you do you will definitely find the right job for yourself, I'm not worried about being unemployed. But education and knowledge make me happy. And although I cannot wait to get done with uni, I'm still also considering a Master's degree which I doubt I will be taking before having 2-3 years of work experience first.
- Edited
I just read this afternoon an article with the author discussing hiring programmers, and how some programmers have a PHD and are not able to write a simple loop.
So I would say you need a good mix of experience and genius, then comes education and certification.
Of course some companies are discriminatory for people with less certifications/degrees, but I think it matters a lot how much effort you put in getting a job and building a network of people, and how you learn to sell yourselves to market and sell yourself to companies - after all you are a company in yourself, and the company who will hire you is your customer :-)
So I would say you need a good mix of experience and genius, then comes education and certification.
Of course some companies are discriminatory for people with less certifications/degrees, but I think it matters a lot how much effort you put in getting a job and building a network of people, and how you learn to sell yourselves to market and sell yourself to companies - after all you are a company in yourself, and the company who will hire you is your customer :-)
Graduate -> (Job + Masters) -> (Job + Certs) -> Profit $$$
There's a key factor that everyone is missing: Laziness. Once you're out of the college mindset, you'll get way too lazy and find it hard to get back.
In terms of reward, I believe that's totally dependent on the company that's hiring.
There's a key factor that everyone is missing: Laziness. Once you're out of the college mindset, you'll get way too lazy and find it hard to get back.
In terms of reward, I believe that's totally dependent on the company that's hiring.
In my opinon masters degrees and certifications are two separate things. Certifications are exams you decide to pass to show higher proficiency in certain fields. You can prepare for them while having a job (like MrClass is doing). The ultimate goal is to get a stronger resume (CV) and a wider choice of job opportunities.
Although a masters degree will affect your career, you should not think of it that way. A masters means taking a full year of your life (sometimes more) focusing on studying and learning really advanced topics. I find it wierd when people in masters (graduate) school have bad grades. These are usually the type of people who're only doing a masters so that they can ultimately get higher salaries. Don't do that. Certifications will get you that with lesser efforts and in faster time.
I guess what I'm trying to say is: Only do a masters if you're interested in spending a whole year studying and being good at it. If you're sick of studying and want to get to work, than postpone it for the time being.
Although a masters degree will affect your career, you should not think of it that way. A masters means taking a full year of your life (sometimes more) focusing on studying and learning really advanced topics. I find it wierd when people in masters (graduate) school have bad grades. These are usually the type of people who're only doing a masters so that they can ultimately get higher salaries. Don't do that. Certifications will get you that with lesser efforts and in faster time.
I guess what I'm trying to say is: Only do a masters if you're interested in spending a whole year studying and being good at it. If you're sick of studying and want to get to work, than postpone it for the time being.
It may really depend on where you do it, and what you learn.
People who work for two years instead of learn for two years for a masters degree are better accustomed as a workforce, have higher salaries, and will do eventually do a masters degree that will be beneficial to their career (rather than to their starting margins). If I am an employer, I would take a BSc with two years experience much faster than a fresh grad from an MSc program, with higher salary, and expect more prospects. After all, why would a masters student be trying to change their course of life and become employed rather than opting for a PhD and an academic career.
Software engineering in an MSc is the most sane program a production programmer may want to aspire to (though the whole theoretic stuff may indeed spoil the student when they actually get employed, when they are faced with all the inefficiencies of real life)
Those are my two cents in short: real life is much more educational than a masters degree when it comes to commercial production. At least to the average joe, and the average company.
Note: You're expected to be a bright top of the line programmer, with a PhD/Master to go into google/microsoft/deutche bank.. So the above just goes about the generalities. The specificity of a person's situation necessarily makes all my advice mute in most cases (at least in their own eyes).
People who work for two years instead of learn for two years for a masters degree are better accustomed as a workforce, have higher salaries, and will do eventually do a masters degree that will be beneficial to their career (rather than to their starting margins). If I am an employer, I would take a BSc with two years experience much faster than a fresh grad from an MSc program, with higher salary, and expect more prospects. After all, why would a masters student be trying to change their course of life and become employed rather than opting for a PhD and an academic career.
Software engineering in an MSc is the most sane program a production programmer may want to aspire to (though the whole theoretic stuff may indeed spoil the student when they actually get employed, when they are faced with all the inefficiencies of real life)
Those are my two cents in short: real life is much more educational than a masters degree when it comes to commercial production. At least to the average joe, and the average company.
Note: You're expected to be a bright top of the line programmer, with a PhD/Master to go into google/microsoft/deutche bank.. So the above just goes about the generalities. The specificity of a person's situation necessarily makes all my advice mute in most cases (at least in their own eyes).
Well, I just finished my Masters Degree in Computer Science, and from what I've read, this is what I think is the best to go with:
But there are two other questions you should consider: What Master's Degree to go with? and Is it worthwhile if you won't be pursuing a PHD after that ?
For two simple reasons: first one, the higher the position at work, the more responsibilities you have, and the more responsibilities you have, the less time to study. Second one, after sometime of leaving the university atmosphere, and more into the job atmosphere, you will have less desire to go back to classes/exams/presentations/projects/thesis....etc....xterm wroteGraduate -> (Job + Masters) -> (Job + Certs) -> Profit $$$
But there are two other questions you should consider: What Master's Degree to go with? and Is it worthwhile if you won't be pursuing a PHD after that ?
After all posts, let try to advice me guys,
this semester is my last one and i will get a BS degree in CS, my opinion is to start working in summer for one year at least ,then, after that, i will start thinking about MS.
note: i don't have any certification, but i have good skills in programming (vb.net,java,MSSQL,...), i mean by good skills is more than what we take in university.
so what do you think about my road-map ??
this semester is my last one and i will get a BS degree in CS, my opinion is to start working in summer for one year at least ,then, after that, i will start thinking about MS.
note: i don't have any certification, but i have good skills in programming (vb.net,java,MSSQL,...), i mean by good skills is more than what we take in university.
so what do you think about my road-map ??
In my opinion it's an excellent choice. However be aware that it is difficult to go back to studying once you started working.