Thread: Is a Masters in IT Worth it?

Hi,

I recently finished a Psychology degree, getting a 2:1. To be honest I didn't really enjoy it that much, and find programming C++ much more interesting. I just like the way there's so much to learn and, once you're skilled enough, you can do loads of interesting stuff like build your own applications/ games etc. So basically, I'm thinking about doing a Masters in IT, or something similar, such as this:

Postgraduate Interactive Systems Design Masters MSc at School of Computer Science

To do that, you need at least a 2:1 in your first degree, and they accept people who have done Psychology, because it relates to stuff on the course.

So do you guys think that something like that or a Masters in IT would be worthwhile? By worthwhile I mean would it make it likely that I could get a job in IT afterward? Ideally I'd like a job that would give me the opportunity to learn more programming, for the reasons I stated earlier.

Or is it the case that Masters courses just aren't enough to get you a job in IT? After all they're only for a year so it makes me wonder if employers would want someone more experienced.

Thanks.

Well, to be honest I'm not advanced at programming C++, or close to it. I've done enough to know I enjoy it- basically been doing it 6+ hours a day since I finished uni in May- and I've been doing it in my spare time for a year or two before that. If it gives you any idea of my level- I understand most of the stuff in the book C++ Without Fear, which I've been learning from.

Anyway thanks guys I'll look into the Masters in software engineering.

Originally Posted by bithub

You are probably a better programmer than half the people that graduate with a 4 year degree in CSC. If you like doing something enough that you do it in your free time, chances are it is something you will be pretty good at. I find that about half the CSC graduates I end up interviewing don't even like to program, and consequently they are horrible at it.

Yeah except only the fortran guys get to program rockets. I can't be mad at people who don't waste time crushing their souls because they'll never do anything that important.

Originally Posted by bithub

You are probably a better programmer than half the people that graduate with a 4 year degree in CSC. If you like doing something enough that you do it in your free time, chances are it is something you will be pretty good at. I find that about half the CSC graduates I end up interviewing don't even like to program, and consequently they are horrible at it.

It's funny, half of the time when I'm programming I'm frustrated because I don't understand how to do something. But there's never a point when I think "I don't want to do this". It's always worth it when you get there in the end and you can understand the cool intricacies of how stuff works.

Anyway thanks for your advice- and everyone's- I'll email a few universities and ask if my current level of programming skill will be enough to do a Software Engineering Masters with them.

By the way what do you guys think to that Masters that I gave the link to? That's done by the school of Computer Science so it seems like it's probably closer to software engineering than the IT ones. And it'd probably be easier for me to get into because they accept a Psychology degree. So say I can't get in to do a Software Engineering Masters. Would this be likely to lead to me getting a job? And one where I can at least spend some time programming? In the career opportunities bit they say:

"This course should be of interest to prospective usability engineer / managers, user-interface designers and information architects.

It is also very relevant to current or prospective software engineers who wish to enhance their skills and knowledge.

The programme also provides a strong basis for continuing research as part of a PhD programme. "

Or are they just trying to make it sound more useful than it really is?

Cheers.