Ask HN: Should I do a Masters Degree?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=5239559

by hugofirth • 13 years ago

2 14 13 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Hi,

I am currently coming to the end of my Bachelors Degree in Computer Science and should (fingers crossed etc...) be getting a fairly good First from Newcastle university.

I am looking to work as a software engineer in the sphere of web development (though I have also taken some Games Dev modules to gain experience of the Graphics pipeline and pathfinding algorithms).

I am keen to continue my learning, but also keen to get into industry. Would, in your collective opinions, I be better off continuing my studies (on this course: http://www.ncl.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/i120/courseoverview/#.USJqLqXvhVk) or applying for a job this summer?

Thanks for reading - much appreciated :)

dilithiumhe3• 13 years ago

I think given current internet world and the direction most of the software giants are taking, it is a good idea to take the time and study further into distributed systems. I agree that you learn a lot on the job but there is something to be said about the importance of having sound fundamentals. I went through a similar phase and ended up going for a MS in distributed systems and have never regretted that decision. It makes you think more concretely and exposes you to things that make you think of scalability, complexity, high performance, high availability and other aspects that are the essentials of any complex (more importantly - any system of importance) that we think of.

So, bottom line, go for a Masters but choose your subjects/areas of concentration wisely and remember that you are there for digging deeper not wider.

hugofirth7• 13 years ago

Thanks - "Deeper not wider" is a nice expression for a feature of my current course that I find frustrating. Most of my in depth knowledge is garnered from personal side projects of interest - and only rarely even has its roots in something I covered whilst doing my course. Spending time with the people has been the most valuable experience for me so far.

shail• 13 years ago

Work for few years (around 3-4) then do Masters. You would have a better idea about the topic you wish to pursue in depth.

hugofirth7• 13 years ago

Right - but would my employability be such that I could get a job where I might gain that information? I've been given the impression by a few employers that unless you have a lot of experience then a bachelors degree isn't sufficient for a software engineering position.

sebkomianos3• 13 years ago

A masters degree isn't sufficient either - engineers are people with "hands on" experience and even the best Masters programmes simply cannot deliver that.

moocow012• 13 years ago

Dont do it unless you want to make inroads into academia or better your chances for working at Google/Microsoft/BigCorp. I have a BS with about 5-6 years of experience and I lead/manage a couple people with MS degrees. In other words Ive found that having an MS makes little difference as a signal to an employer in most cases if you already have a BS in CS. Your ability and connections seem to be the most important thing so if you think an MS will enhance either of those it might be worth it but it also could very well end up being money down the drain.

hugofirth7• 13 years ago

I'm not looking to make inroads into academia - I had considered it for a while but I don't think I could handle more long term exposure to academics. Many of them (at least the ones at my university) operate completely by their own rules - its unendingly frustrating at times. On the other hand I would love the opportunity to work for a larger corporation - why would their focus be on a higher level of degree rather than experience?

moocow012• 13 years ago

Eh Id say its somewhat of a minor point - I think the only business that will recognize an MS in any real way (salary/title/etc) is perhaps a big company like Google. I believe some positions within Google require an advanced degree (if coming from the outside). I have to say though that I personally have never seen anyone get a thumbs up based solely on having an MS. From a financial perspective Id imagine an MS will rarely pay off if you already have a BS in CS.

Ask HN: Should I do a Masters Degree?

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