Should Asbestosman go back to school

[_asbestosman]

I've been contemplating returning to school, but I'm not sure whether it makes sense. Many people here have advanced degrees and I wonder whether they might have more insight into advanced education and maybe if my online persona gives them any hints as to whether it makes sense for me. I think I'm capable of at least getting a master's degree, but I'm questioning whether it's worthwhile.

The pros:
bragging rights
A few more job opportunities (but I'm not sure to what extent).

The cons:
Costs money
Costs even more in time


I don't expect much of a pay increase, but perhaps it depends on where I get the degree as well as what I study and where I go. I also don't expect that I'd make any great research contributions--at least no more than the average grad student. Furthermore me returning to school means there's one less spot for a younger person who may make better use of the education through what he contributes in one of the more productive decades of life (20's instead of 30's).

If an education meant I'd make significantly more money, I'd probably do it. If it means I can land a more enjoyable job, I'd really consider it. If it meant I'd contribute great things, I might do it. If it means I just get bragging rights, I'll probably pass.

.

[_Yoda]

There is too little information to give you clear advice. What is your current job? Are you interested in staying in your current position? Will a Master's Degree help you career-wise from a knowledge and monetary perspective?

Will the advanced degree allow you to be more competitive for advancement, and is advancement important to you?

Would a certification in a particular skillset make more sense for your field?

I can't really vote or advise you until I understand some of these answers.

[_asbestosman]

I'm not sure I know the answer to some of the questions you ask either. Anyhow, I'm not looking for career advice as such--I won't take anyone's suggestion directly, but rather use it to consider whether I think what is said makes sense. I'm looking for a more generic discussion even though I put myself in the center of this one.

What is your current job?

I'm a software design engineer (programmer) with particularly good skills in debugging, but I write a good amount of code as well (mostly C++).

Are you interested in staying in your current position?

Not without some advancement and a few changes (which is possible without going to school). I enjoy debugging, but people in my position often don't get a lot of respect (read: promotions and job security) and many choose a different development position despite how vital our role is. Furthermore I might really enjoy working on something more mathematical (like image processing, compression, or artificial intelligence) instead of just major software design.

Will a Master's Degree help you career-wise from a knowledge and monetary perspective?

I'm not sure. I don't think it will from a financial perspective. As for a career-perspective, I think I'd need a PhD to get significant career opportunities, but even then I'm not sure about the monetary perspective. Maybe someone else knows something I don't. I know you do something with software too.

Will the advanced degree allow you to be more competitive for advancement, and is advancement important to you?

I don't think it will change advancement. Advancement is important mostly because it provides more security in uncertain times. While I feel fairly good about how much I make, I certainly could always use more to put in savings and fell more secure.

Would a certification in a particular skillset make more sense for your field?

I'm not sure. I don't know of anything offhand.

Another possibility is to do major change and try my hand at, say, patent law. Then again, I don't love reading legal documents, EULAs, or patents so that may pretty much be a no.

[_moksha]

I thought software designers are more marketable at the BS level. Those with a technology exception visa seem to work cheaper and are thus more marketable at the doctoral level - at least this is a wild guess.

[_asbestosman]

I thought software designers are more marketable at the BS level.

Maybe. I know my company hires people with MS degrees with one promotion above what I started at. However, when I look at job postings, both inside my company and at other companies, most only require a BS but also want experience in certain areas (user interface, web technologies, mobile technologies, etc.).

My degree is in Computer Engineering, not Computer Science. That means I have more hardware skills than most of my coworkers. I also received more education on signal processing and other math-intensive engineering subjects than most of my coworkers. The thing is, I really do miss the math side of things. Maybe I can simply find a position that lets me do more math without having to get a new degree.

[_Yoda]

You might be able to simply take some courses in image processing, etc. to bulk up your resume and expand your training.

Here is an example of job requirements in image processing:

http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/job-J46DHU6GBL ... P&rmpixel=

Software Application Engineer - Image Processing

Location: Sunnyvale , CA

Position Type: Regular, Full-time

Zoran Corporation (located in Sunnyvale ) is looking for a Software Application Engineers in Image Processing in our Digital Still Camera (DSC) department, which develops chips as well as software for digital cameras. Join the Image Quality Team of the elite group of COACH (Camera On A CHip) Application engineers to develop new features and technologies for our embedded solution for digital cameras.

Primary functions and Key Responsibility:

Develop embedded software on COACH chip, a core of digital camera system, with emphasis on image processing related. Develop PC software for image processing and calibration. Travel abroad to collaborate with key customers to help drive these accounts into production. Work includes debugging, planning and developing features to meet customer’s requirements. Work closely with Zoran's world wide application team in Korea , Japan , Taiwan and China . Become an expert in a large number of technical areas, including image processing, video/audio/image compression, file system, communication protocols (serial, USB, etc..), etc..

Environment: embedded, 32 bit MIPS, ThreadX OS
Languages: C, C++, MIPS Assembly
Areas: Image Processing, CCD/CMOS Sensor, Embedded, MIPS, Image Compression, File System, USB, MPEG, WMV, WMA, Audio

Education and experience (Required):

Engineering and Computer Science students in their final year of study.

New College Graduates with a BS or MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or relevant field.

* High C coding and design skills
* Ability to easily dive into existing code and infrastructure
* Strong analytical and debugging skills
* Good mathematical skills
* Ability to travel abroad (about 2-4 times a year)
* Good communication skills and team-player.
* Experience with Visual C (advantage)
* Experience with Matlab (advantage)

Relevant courses:

* Image Processing
* Signal processing
* Operating Systems
* Data Structures
* Computer Structure

I have my Master's degree in Computer Science. The main reason I needed my Master's, though, was for teaching. If I was programming exclusively, it wouldn't be that big of a deal.

What I have seen is more important to companies lately is specific training. You might be better off simply taking single courses in areas you want to gain more experience in.