Master's Degrees

[Money & Muscle]

I’m 7 week away from finishing my Bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems, and I found that I have additional school funding to cover 29 months(!) more… I’m thinking this means at least a Master’s degree, but I haven’t put a lot of thought into which specialization I want to pursue. Thinking Software Development or Network Administration (DevOps future).

For those of you who’ve gone through with getting a Master’s…

Was it worth it?
What would you do differently if you could do it again?
What advice do you have for anyone considering pursuing this?

I’m not 100% sure which direction I want my career to go in, and I’m not sure that I will know until I start working in the field. Should I wait before selecting a Master’s program?

 

[BackInTheGame78]

As long as it's free I would say go for it! If I was having to pay for it, I don't think I would as I don't think there is enough difference between having one and not having one to be worth it in terms of your salary.

I'm about to switch jobs for another $20K raise, which is the 3rd time I've done since COVID started and have gotten $20K raises each time.

Unless you are going for a very specific position where they state Master's Degree required, I don't think most places care all that much. Just my opinion based on what I have seen in this area, but in other areas it could be different. A lot of the tech markets are very localized with things.

Personally, I would go for security. It's a field that is exploding because of the never ending new threats and holes being found in software/hardware/network security.

Just was reading about the newest one for VPNs called TunnelVision that is basically impossible to fix according to researchers and affects all OS's save for Android and maybe UNIX/LINUX to some degree. Effectively, if you are using Windows, there is no guarantee your VPN is keeping you safe and it's very difficult to even tell if it's been compromised.

It's honestly scary how many things that were thought to be very secure are turning out to be not secure AT ALL with the right techniques and moreover, potentially not even fixable.

‘TunnelVision’ DHCP flaw lets attackers bypass VPNs, redirect traffic

Security pros warn that this flaw could affect just about every IP-routing based VPN.

www.scmagazine.com

.

 

[Dr.Suave]

For those of you who’ve gone through with getting a Master’s…

Was it worth it?
What would you do differently if you could do it again?
What advice do you have for anyone considering pursuing this?

Yes, it worth it both on a personal level and profesionally it also helped me get all the permanent promotions on my job (but your mileage may vary on the job thing depending on the company).

Only thing I would do differently is maybe study a different field.

If you gonna go for it, learn as much as you can.

 

[Pierce Manhammer]

Just was reading about the newest one for VPNs called TunnelVision that is basically impossible to fix according to researchers and affects all OS's save for Android and maybe UNIX/LINUX to some degree. Effectively, if you are using Windows, there is no guarantee your VPN is keeping you safe and it's very difficult to even tell if it's been compromised.

It's very similar to TunnelCrack LocalNet. The TunnelVision technique hinges on the attacker sharing the same local network as the victim. By assuming control as the victim's DHCP server, the attacker can direct the victim to route specific public IP ranges through the attacker's network rather than via the intended VPN tunnel. Not much to see here...doesn affect Android at all, but does affect IoS. If you're vpn'd on your cell it might matter since you share the same logical network as other users first connected to the tower you did, but its so theoretical in nature...yawn

The chances of someone getting into your CPE at home is low unless you have a stupid password and even then they'd need to figure out a way to establish a DHCP server to replace the built in one - way too much trouble...it'll be resolved fast.

 

[Fruitbat]

Depends on the industry but the one I work in, all education is useless really other than the certificates you need to practice. I think the world has changed now and everyone needs higher education.

I left school at 16 and got my certificates at night school and by the time others were getting out of uni I had 5 years work experience and 3 of them relevant, so I was out earning grads by a long way. Even had colleagues complain to the boss I was on the same/more money because they had degrees and I didn’t. Boss laughed them out the room as the degree was pretty useless in a work setting.

I don’t believe this is the case for most industry. It seems degrees/masters are kinda broad and vague academic stuff but the stuff you need in the workplace is specialised knowledge of certain things.

the other thing is, you forget it. I’ve done about 20 exams for 4 quals I have over the last 15 years and I barely remember any of it. What on earth do you remember from a degree you did at 20 when you’re knee deep in a career at 35?

 

[Pierce Manhammer]

Can I ask what industry?

 

[Fruitbat]

Can I ask what industry?

Investment management/financial advice/business to business sales.

I think the term in the US is “wholesaler” but it’s basically being a local sales director for an investment business, selling to other businesses.

I’m qualified to advise the public, manage portfolios and discretionary manage but I don’t do any of it as corporate sales = where the money is at. It’s harder work though. One regret is I didn’t start my own advice business but I don’t really enjoy that kind of work and I really enjoy the top end sales….nice offices, prestige treatment, lots of business trips and entertainment. I always will be an employee though, this job you can’t go solo.

you can learn sales - “born with it” is BS. But you won’t learn it in a uni which is a shame as it’s the single most important skill for nearly every job other than deeply technical roles.

Even in IT I expect the top sales guys out earn everyone.