Doing some planning, it looks like I will have about 2 years of GI bill left after I finish my CSC degree. What would you do? Masters? Get another degree? Just say fuck it and get a job?

12/18/2010 2:50:41 PM

masters

then people will have to call you master.

12/18/2010 3:38:12 PM

grad school

12/18/2010 3:39:27 PM

PRTM degree

12/18/2010 4:07:05 PM

a masters degree definitely seems like the most bang for your buck with 2 years of school

(my bias is of course in favor of that option as a masters student myself)

12/18/2010 5:04:47 PM

I'll be an old bastard as it is when I graduate with my BS (I'll be 28ish), does your advice still apply?

12/18/2010 5:11:21 PM

That's nothing. At least for my program. I'm 26 and I'm usually one of the youngest people in my classes. Its mostly late 20s, followed closely by early 30s, and usually a 40 something in every class.

I think there are a number of factors going on. Masters programs often have people coming back to college and wanting to be able to move up further than a bachelors degree can take them. And masters programs are popular during a recession to stay in school while the economy improves so people are coming back.

A 28 year old wouldn't stand out in a graduate program at all. I can't speak for your specific program, but still, I can't see that being an issue at all. Also, does your program have a PhD option? That could easily mix in even older students in your classes.

12/18/2010 6:05:59 PM

Masters.

On a side note, is CSC one of those programs that you'll almost always get a grant that pays for your education like with engineering? Assuming the student is American and all

12/19/2010 1:47:24 PM

Masters

12/27/2010 11:09:01 AM

So would you all stay CSC?

12/27/2010 5:56:10 PM

for your specific field, I'd recommend that you go about finding what sort of hands on training and certifications employers want to see. there is probably some proprietary softwares certification they will want you to have but that you can only get from some seminar/ boot-camp 5 states away. Every field has positions that pay 3X as much monies just for some silly little special ability, they tend to get fill by ppl exactly like you: veterans. Universities don't update their degree programs as fast as the industries' needs change. It might be tricky to use GI Bill money on stuff like that, but the School-to-Employment office (i forget what they call it at State) can probably help you with that by enrolling you in a "cap-stone" type of course.

12/28/2010 4:32:12 PM

another thing to consider is there is going to be a constant supply of csc fags with the same skills comeing along behind you competing for your job: it's the new psychology degree. and computing is bound to get more efficient and less laborious in the future if only to cut costs. If u you want to consider grad school, do something universal and non-technical like Public Health or Administration. u will always be able to hang your hat somewhere with that combo.

12/28/2010 4:38:33 PM

Grad school

12/30/2010 1:32:57 PM

As a CSC grad, I suggest you get a job if possible otherwise go for an MBA.
I think a masters in CSC is a waste of time unless you want to teach.
I debated going for one after undergrad but after taking a few masters level classes, talking with professors, and coworkers with masters in CSC I decided that real world experience was the best thing for me at that point in life.

1/4/2011 4:45:54 PM