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Comment by moocow01 | Hacker News Reader

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.

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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?

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.

Especially perhaps, as (detailed in my most recent comment below) the degree I would be coming out with ( MComp ) is instead of my Bsc rather than as well as it. Effectively the course content is the same as the Bsc course for the first 3 years and then you perform an additional year of study (deferring your original graduation).

Some people have warned me off the MComp course on the basis that people who apply typically got 2:1 (60%+) at Bsc level and need the degree to improve their employment prospects. They went on to say that if you would be receiving a first (70%+) anyway then the MComp would do nothing to enhance your employability, and might even harm it. I am attempted to validate/invalidate that claim. I Think perhaps I apply for a job and look to do an MSc in future once I have a clearer idea of a specific area of study that I would like to pursue. Thanks for all the comments!

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