MSc

[pmeswani]

I'm starting one.

Anyone got any experiences of contracting and studying at the same time?

I've started my path to MSc a few weeks back. I'm at the advantage that I work in a team who have experience in Computer Forensics, which does help the cause. But I'm going to miss the help when my contract ends next week.

[Jaws]

I'm doing one at the moment and commuting from Bristol to London 2 nights a week. Quite used to it now and there are only 2 11 week long terms where I need to do the commute (although next term is an extra night a week). If I find myself losing the current contract I'll obviously try to get one closer to London, but after March the location is not going to matter until the Autumn.

[chris79]

Depends how you want to do it, and ultimately what you want out of it.

I took a year out a few years ago to do an MSc, did it full-time with no distractions. If you choose to do this I would not advise having any other workloads on, unless you are only aiming to pass the modules with 40%.. but is it worth even bothering (what would you ever take from it)? Part-time over 3 years is geared for those with jobs so of course it is manageable. In a nutshell they give you the very basic of information and set tasks where it's your job to go and research it and present the answers. That's why you will only be in for say 10 hours a week max.. the taught element is just to give you enough to go on, it's what you do with the other 30 hours in the week they are interested in. Nobody will hold your hand through it, it's a research degree, not a taught degree.

As for the content and difficulty, well it's the old saying.. the only thing which is rocket science is a degree in rocket science.. if you are doing it in an area you are already experienced in (through employment and such), then you should find it fine. If it's a completely new subject area, or a cross-over course then it will require a bit more application.

In terms of career prospects I'd say it definitely gives you a little advantage, mostly in the management jobs which state (degree required). I don't make a big deal of it on my CV, it's tucked away at the bottom under 'education'.. some people try and sell themselves on their degree, I've found that most people don't give a s**t, or if they do they don't want it thrown in their face. Experience definitely counts for more in today's job market, the personal development you get from the MSc just gives you the edge and indicates to the employer you are capable at 'that level'.

[Bagpuss]

Having done an MSc fulltime over a decade ago, it's hard work. Although it's not much harder than a degree mentally, the sheer amount of assessments and exams make the final year of a BSc seem like childs play. It may be easier these days.

[chris79]

Having done an MSc fulltime over a decade ago, it's hard work. Although it's not much harder than a degree mentally, the sheer amount of assessments and exams make the final year of a BSc seem like childs play. It may be easier these days.

Might vary between places but when I did mine they set the assignment hand-in dates so that the only way to physically get them done in the final semester was to work for 5 weeks, 7 days a week. I got to the end of it utterly f**ked... 2 weeks off over Xmas, then started 4 months of dissertation. I was so glad to get a job and work 40 hours a week after that.

[SallyAnne]

Just buy one for £150 off ebay or "online university" - much easier than working.

Why are you doing an MSc? (Purely out of interest, that's not an "why are you wasting your time?" kind of question, in case it came across that way I've never really seen the benefit / interest in more studying, particularly when I'm working as well - what's the attraction / motivation?

It is an "online university" actually

Liverpool is offerring a full online course in Information Security that I really fancy. There's no distinction between it and the on campus MSc either, which is good.

The modules are all interesting, I wanted to learn Java & XML for use in my current job anyway (and they are 2 of the modules), I work with loads of government clients and I think it'll look good on my CV, and I quite fancy going in to a very specialised PHD field in about 7 or 8 years time - I reckon Government Data Security would be quite a nice area to move into, and thisis a good stepping stone to that.

I've just got a real thirst on for learning at the moment - I want to get stuck into loads of books and learn new things. Been doing the same job for the last 6 years man. But with contracting (moving cities a lot basically) I've stopped myself doing anything for the last few years.

To me this online course is perfect.

[TheFaQQer]

It is an "online university" actually

Liverpool is offerring a full online course in Information Security that I really fancy. There's no distinction between it and the on campus MSc either, which is good.

The modules are all interesting, I wanted to learn Java & XML for use in my current job anyway (and they are 2 of the modules), I work with loads of government clients and I think it'll look good on my CV, and I quite fancy going in to a very specialised PHD field in about 7 or 8 years time - I reckon Government Data Security would be quite a nice area to move into, and thisis a good stepping stone to that.

I've just got a real thirst on for learning at the moment - I want to get stuck into loads of books and learn new things. Been doing the same job for the last 6 years man. But with contracting (moving cities a lot basically) I've stopped myself doing anything for the last few years.

To me this online course is perfect.

Have a look at the Certified Ethical Hacker qualification too, if that's the route that you might want to go. I looked into it last year and thought it might be worth doing as part of a move more into architecture etc.

[lightng]

Thinking of doing a masters myself.

It's more a thirst for knowledge thing this time around. My first degree was driven more by a thirst for beer.

I'm under no illusions that it will enhance my daily rate though.

[beaker]

I did my MBA part time over 6 years. Put in about 1 hour a night, then spent maybe 4 full weekends a year either doing assignments or studying for exams. It's easy to get good grades which you're already familiar, but you do need to put in the hours most of the time.

I'm under no illusions it will enhance my day rate with what I currently do, but I think it does put you over the top when you're being considered for a more senior or specialised role.

[ratewhore]

It is an "online university" actually

Liverpool is offerring a full online course in Information Security that I really fancy. There's no distinction between it and the on campus MSc either, which is good.

The modules are all interesting, I wanted to learn Java & XML for use in my current job anyway (and they are 2 of the modules), I work with loads of government clients and I think it'll look good on my CV, and I quite fancy going in to a very specialised PHD field in about 7 or 8 years time - I reckon Government Data Security would be quite a nice area to move into, and thisis a good stepping stone to that.

I've just got a real thirst on for learning at the moment - I want to get stuck into loads of books and learn new things. Been doing the same job for the last 6 years man. But with contracting (moving cities a lot basically) I've stopped myself doing anything for the last few years.

To me this online course is perfect.

Would it be enhanced by relevant skills and experience?