Masters Degree Program: Is It Worth It?
Greetings Listers, I've been wrestling with a quagmire for sometimes now about pursuing a Masters Degree Program. As an Information Technology professional, would it more pertinent to seek vendor certifications as they instruct on what technologies the industry is using? In my humble observation, professionals of all fields pursue a Masters either because it is fashionable or they have no other choice but to do so. My question to my brethren: *What would your advice be in such a situation?* *Did you pursue a Masters because it was a means to an end or it enhanced your knowledge and passion in the field? * *Help a wandering young man out?* Warm regards, Michael Bullut. --- *Cell:* *+254 723 393 114. **Skype Name:* *Michael Bullut.* ***Twitter:** @Kipsang <http://twitter.com/Kipsang/> * *Blog: http://www.kipsang.com/* *E-mail:* *main@kipsang.com* * * *---*
Michael, A Masters is potentially a program that can teach you a broad set of skills including how to think critically, how to communicate effectively, how to teach yourself, and how to work with others. A certificate is going to teach you how to do a specific set of tasks in a certain domain (i.e. Window Server management). The thing with certificates is that they last for no more than 10 years and typically only 5. In addition, some people view certificates as an anti-credential and count them against the candidate with the theory that certificates aren't demonstrative of true comprehension of the subject matter. I would choose the Masters since it's a credential that lasts a lifetime but of course it's also far more expensive that just a series of certs. Cheers, Adam -- Kili.io - OpenStack for Africa: kili.io Musings: twitter.com/varud <https://twitter.com/varud> About Adam: www.linkedin.com/in/adamcnelson On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 1:44 PM, Michael Bullut <main@kipsang.com> wrote:
Greetings Listers,
I've been wrestling with a quagmire for sometimes now about pursuing a Masters Degree Program. As an Information Technology professional, would it more pertinent to seek vendor certifications as they instruct on what technologies the industry is using? In my humble observation, professionals of all fields pursue a Masters either because it is fashionable or they have no other choice but to do so. My question to my brethren: *What would your advice be in such a situation?* *Did you pursue a Masters because it was a means to an end or it enhanced your knowledge and passion in the field? *
*Help a wandering young man out?*
Warm regards,
Michael Bullut.
---
*Cell:* *+254 723 393 114. **Skype Name:* *Michael Bullut.* ***Twitter:** @Kipsang <http://twitter.com/Kipsang/> * *Blog: http://www.kipsang.com/* *E-mail:* *main@kipsang.com* * * *---*
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I can honestly say it *enhanced your knowledge and passion in the field.* * * Then again it depends on which Masters you are doing. The new kind of Masters programs are actually very technical and provide students with actual skills. Example: http://www.ilabafrica.ac.ke/index.php/what-we-do/programs/safaricom-academy Anyway my humble 2 cents. On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 2:13 PM, Adam Nelson <adam@varud.com> wrote:
Michael,
A Masters is potentially a program that can teach you a broad set of skills including how to think critically, how to communicate effectively, how to teach yourself, and how to work with others.
A certificate is going to teach you how to do a specific set of tasks in a certain domain (i.e. Window Server management).
The thing with certificates is that they last for no more than 10 years and typically only 5. In addition, some people view certificates as an anti-credential and count them against the candidate with the theory that certificates aren't demonstrative of true comprehension of the subject matter.
I would choose the Masters since it's a credential that lasts a lifetime but of course it's also far more expensive that just a series of certs.
Cheers, Adam
-- Kili.io - OpenStack for Africa: kili.io Musings: twitter.com/varud <https://twitter.com/varud> About Adam: www.linkedin.com/in/adamcnelson
On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 1:44 PM, Michael Bullut <main@kipsang.com> wrote:
Greetings Listers,
I've been wrestling with a quagmire for sometimes now about pursuing a Masters Degree Program. As an Information Technology professional, would it more pertinent to seek vendor certifications as they instruct on what technologies the industry is using? In my humble observation, professionals of all fields pursue a Masters either because it is fashionable or they have no other choice but to do so. My question to my brethren: *What would your advice be in such a situation?* *Did you pursue a Masters because it was a means to an end or it enhanced your knowledge and passion in the field? *
*Help a wandering young man out?*
Warm regards,
Michael Bullut.
---
*Cell:* *+254 723 393 114. **Skype Name:* *Michael Bullut.* ***Twitter:** @Kipsang <http://twitter.com/Kipsang/> * *Blog: http://www.kipsang.com/* *E-mail:* *main@kipsang.com* * * *---*
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Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
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-- Leonard Kore
In my opinion, people pursue Masters for the paper value and the bragging rights. If you really needed knowledge, its cheaper both on time and finances to pursue it on your own, and you gain more Knowledge through self sturdy and research than through classwork. ______________________ Mwendwa Kivuva twitter.com/lordmwesh google ID | Skype ID: lordmwesh On 15 October 2013 14:26, Leonard Kore <leonardkore@gmail.com> wrote:
I can honestly say it *enhanced your knowledge and passion in the field.* * * Then again it depends on which Masters you are doing.
The new kind of Masters programs are actually very technical and provide students with actual skills.
Example: http://www.ilabafrica.ac.ke/index.php/what-we-do/programs/safaricom-academy
Anyway my humble 2 cents.
On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 2:13 PM, Adam Nelson <adam@varud.com> wrote:
Michael,
A Masters is potentially a program that can teach you a broad set of skills including how to think critically, how to communicate effectively, how to teach yourself, and how to work with others.
A certificate is going to teach you how to do a specific set of tasks in a certain domain (i.e. Window Server management).
The thing with certificates is that they last for no more than 10 years and typically only 5. In addition, some people view certificates as an anti-credential and count them against the candidate with the theory that certificates aren't demonstrative of true comprehension of the subject matter.
I would choose the Masters since it's a credential that lasts a lifetime but of course it's also far more expensive that just a series of certs.
Cheers, Adam
-- Kili.io - OpenStack for Africa: kili.io Musings: twitter.com/varud <https://twitter.com/varud> About Adam: www.linkedin.com/in/adamcnelson
On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 1:44 PM, Michael Bullut <main@kipsang.com> wrote:
Greetings Listers,
I've been wrestling with a quagmire for sometimes now about pursuing a Masters Degree Program. As an Information Technology professional, would it more pertinent to seek vendor certifications as they instruct on what technologies the industry is using? In my humble observation, professionals of all fields pursue a Masters either because it is fashionable or they have no other choice but to do so. My question to my brethren: *What would your advice be in such a situation?* *Did you pursue a Masters because it was a means to an end or it enhanced your knowledge and passion in the field? *
*Help a wandering young man out?*
Warm regards,
Michael Bullut.
---
*Cell:* *+254 723 393 114. **Skype Name:* *Michael Bullut.* ***Twitter:** @Kipsang <http://twitter.com/Kipsang/> * *Blog: http://www.kipsang.com/* *E-mail:* *main@kipsang.com* * * *---*
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Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
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-- Leonard Kore
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Mike, It is good to have vertical knowledge of a product development or product use- you get this one through certifications along a particular product/service line. The open disadvantage of this is that technologies change and you will need to learn new stuff every time you a new release comes about. I know you are renown systems admin, but as new chaps come in they might be quick and fast than you and overtakes you. On the other hand masters can offer you with a horizontal knowledge which will not be closed to your cold *server room* but it run across business aspects, economic aspects, political aspects, environmental aspects, policies,legal and even risk management. Masters cannot go obsolete easily as other certifications do. Have other certs and* weka maye *ya masters juu yake. Mastering is essential Isaac Kiplagat On 15 October 2013 14:26, Leonard Kore <leonardkore@gmail.com> wrote:
I can honestly say it *enhanced your knowledge and passion in the field.* * * Then again it depends on which Masters you are doing.
The new kind of Masters programs are actually very technical and provide students with actual skills.
Example: http://www.ilabafrica.ac.ke/index.php/what-we-do/programs/safaricom-academy
Anyway my humble 2 cents.
On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 2:13 PM, Adam Nelson <adam@varud.com> wrote:
Michael,
A Masters is potentially a program that can teach you a broad set of skills including how to think critically, how to communicate effectively, how to teach yourself, and how to work with others.
A certificate is going to teach you how to do a specific set of tasks in a certain domain (i.e. Window Server management).
The thing with certificates is that they last for no more than 10 years and typically only 5. In addition, some people view certificates as an anti-credential and count them against the candidate with the theory that certificates aren't demonstrative of true comprehension of the subject matter.
I would choose the Masters since it's a credential that lasts a lifetime but of course it's also far more expensive that just a series of certs.
Cheers, Adam
-- Kili.io - OpenStack for Africa: kili.io Musings: twitter.com/varud <https://twitter.com/varud> About Adam: www.linkedin.com/in/adamcnelson
On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 1:44 PM, Michael Bullut <main@kipsang.com> wrote:
Greetings Listers,
I've been wrestling with a quagmire for sometimes now about pursuing a Masters Degree Program. As an Information Technology professional, would it more pertinent to seek vendor certifications as they instruct on what technologies the industry is using? In my humble observation, professionals of all fields pursue a Masters either because it is fashionable or they have no other choice but to do so. My question to my brethren: *What would your advice be in such a situation?* *Did you pursue a Masters because it was a means to an end or it enhanced your knowledge and passion in the field? *
*Help a wandering young man out?*
Warm regards,
Michael Bullut.
---
*Cell:* *+254 723 393 114. **Skype Name:* *Michael Bullut.* ***Twitter:** @Kipsang <http://twitter.com/Kipsang/> * *Blog: http://www.kipsang.com/* *E-mail:* *main@kipsang.com* * * *---*
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Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
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-- Leonard Kore
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-- Isaac Kiplagat. KIP®
Kiplagat hit it wel. If i were to make a decision..looking at personal as wel as career growth i bliv Master's is much better n no expiry.On the other hand..certifications are important tho at times u might not use them.Hop you get certifications in your specific area but not just for speculation. There are people i know who have excelled so well with certifications.Infact, that what has bought them homes,bot them motor cars not just vehicle. maoni yangu. On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 3:09 PM, Isaac Kiplagat <isaac.kiplagat@gmail.com>wrote:
Mike,
It is good to have vertical knowledge of a product development or product use- you get this one through certifications along a particular product/service line. The open disadvantage of this is that technologies change and you will need to learn new stuff every time you a new release comes about. I know you are renown systems admin, but as new chaps come in they might be quick and fast than you and overtakes you.
On the other hand masters can offer you with a horizontal knowledge which will not be closed to your cold *server room* but it run across business aspects, economic aspects, political aspects, environmental aspects, policies,legal and even risk management. Masters cannot go obsolete easily as other certifications do. Have other certs and* weka maye *ya masters juu yake. Mastering is essential
Isaac Kiplagat
On 15 October 2013 14:26, Leonard Kore <leonardkore@gmail.com> wrote:
I can honestly say it *enhanced your knowledge and passion in the field.* * * Then again it depends on which Masters you are doing.
The new kind of Masters programs are actually very technical and provide students with actual skills.
Example: http://www.ilabafrica.ac.ke/index.php/what-we-do/programs/safaricom-academy
Anyway my humble 2 cents.
On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 2:13 PM, Adam Nelson <adam@varud.com> wrote:
Michael,
A Masters is potentially a program that can teach you a broad set of skills including how to think critically, how to communicate effectively, how to teach yourself, and how to work with others.
A certificate is going to teach you how to do a specific set of tasks in a certain domain (i.e. Window Server management).
The thing with certificates is that they last for no more than 10 years and typically only 5. In addition, some people view certificates as an anti-credential and count them against the candidate with the theory that certificates aren't demonstrative of true comprehension of the subject matter.
I would choose the Masters since it's a credential that lasts a lifetime but of course it's also far more expensive that just a series of certs.
Cheers, Adam
-- Kili.io - OpenStack for Africa: kili.io Musings: twitter.com/varud <https://twitter.com/varud> About Adam: www.linkedin.com/in/adamcnelson
On Tue, Oct 15, 2013 at 1:44 PM, Michael Bullut <main@kipsang.com>wrote:
Greetings Listers,
I've been wrestling with a quagmire for sometimes now about pursuing a Masters Degree Program. As an Information Technology professional, would it more pertinent to seek vendor certifications as they instruct on what technologies the industry is using? In my humble observation, professionals of all fields pursue a Masters either because it is fashionable or they have no other choice but to do so. My question to my brethren: *What would your advice be in such a situation?* *Did you pursue a Masters because it was a means to an end or it enhanced your knowledge and passion in the field? *
*Help a wandering young man out?*
Warm regards,
Michael Bullut.
---
*Cell:* *+254 723 393 114. **Skype Name:* *Michael Bullut.* ***Twitter:** @Kipsang <http://twitter.com/Kipsang/> * *Blog: http://www.kipsang.com/* *E-mail:* *main@kipsang.com* * * *---*
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Leonard Kore
_______________________________________________ skunkworks mailing list skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Isaac Kiplagat. KIP®
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participants (6)
-
Adam Nelson -
Henry Kamabi -
Isaac Kiplagat -
Kivuva -
Leonard Kore -
Michael Bullut