Difficult Decision - which Graduate school?
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From: ɯooɹpǝq ɹnoʎ
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Difficult Decision - which Graduate school?
I'm coming down to the wire on graduate school. I have to apply NOW for Fall 2014 and I'm really stuck on what to do.
Past: IT Audit. I have a broad range of skills, abilities, understanding, and knowledge. I lack technical hands-on exposure and in depth knowledge on one specific area. I hold a few certifications (one for data analyst, one for info systems auditor, and CISSP)
Future: Looking for IT management. Managing Sys Admins perhaps, continuing with audit, or getting into IT Security (penetration test, ethical hacking, etc)
Why grad school? To compensate for technical experience not held, proof I know something. Moving up the food chain, some companies including mine require a graduate degree to get to a certain level (VP or above). Oh, and the company is willing to pay for it... so why the hell not?
Option 1: Auburn online. If I did this, I'd go the extra mile and do a dual program MBA / MS I.S.
Option 2: WGU online (Western Governors University, legit version of U of Phoenix). I'd go for M.S. in Information Security and Assurance. The degree includes certifications including CEH (one I actually want).
Option 3: Belmont, in person. I'd do the MBA program at night.
Now, these vary widely in price but my company does offer considerable financial support. Option 1 would cost me less than $10k for two degrees. Option 2 would be free. Option 3 is TBD, probably ~$10k-15k but I'm willing to pay that.
I'm battling between online and in-person. Really, this is just a resume builder... and I see a resume's only purpose for getting you in the door for an interview. Once you get the interview, it's open to discussion of capabilities, experience, and personality fit, and many other things that matter more than your degree and where you went to school.
Option 1: Most reputable of the 3 in my eyes, a recognized SEC school, two degrees out of it, pretty legit.
Option 2: Gets me the degree, gets me a few certs to show technical capabilities, and free. Unfortunately, it's self study. I can sit in a class, listen to lectures and pass with ease, but I can read a book twice and not have a clue of the subject.
Option 3: Locally recognized, in-person experience, networking around Nashville
If you were hiring for a position, would any of the criteria matter more/less or prioritize a resume over/under another?
Online vs. in person? Auburn online vs. WGU? MBA & MS I.S. vs. MS Info Security & Assurance vs. MBA?
Past: IT Audit. I have a broad range of skills, abilities, understanding, and knowledge. I lack technical hands-on exposure and in depth knowledge on one specific area. I hold a few certifications (one for data analyst, one for info systems auditor, and CISSP)
Future: Looking for IT management. Managing Sys Admins perhaps, continuing with audit, or getting into IT Security (penetration test, ethical hacking, etc)
Why grad school? To compensate for technical experience not held, proof I know something. Moving up the food chain, some companies including mine require a graduate degree to get to a certain level (VP or above). Oh, and the company is willing to pay for it... so why the hell not?
Option 1: Auburn online. If I did this, I'd go the extra mile and do a dual program MBA / MS I.S.
Option 2: WGU online (Western Governors University, legit version of U of Phoenix). I'd go for M.S. in Information Security and Assurance. The degree includes certifications including CEH (one I actually want).
Option 3: Belmont, in person. I'd do the MBA program at night.
Now, these vary widely in price but my company does offer considerable financial support. Option 1 would cost me less than $10k for two degrees. Option 2 would be free. Option 3 is TBD, probably ~$10k-15k but I'm willing to pay that.
I'm battling between online and in-person. Really, this is just a resume builder... and I see a resume's only purpose for getting you in the door for an interview. Once you get the interview, it's open to discussion of capabilities, experience, and personality fit, and many other things that matter more than your degree and where you went to school.
Option 1: Most reputable of the 3 in my eyes, a recognized SEC school, two degrees out of it, pretty legit.
Option 2: Gets me the degree, gets me a few certs to show technical capabilities, and free. Unfortunately, it's self study. I can sit in a class, listen to lectures and pass with ease, but I can read a book twice and not have a clue of the subject.
Option 3: Locally recognized, in-person experience, networking around Nashville
If you were hiring for a position, would any of the criteria matter more/less or prioritize a resume over/under another?
Online vs. in person? Auburn online vs. WGU? MBA & MS I.S. vs. MS Info Security & Assurance vs. MBA?
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I would go with option 1 or 2. I'm leaning more toward number 2 though because it has the certification you really want, and you say that this is really just a resume builder, so no need for all of the fancy.
Ultimately though, its up to you and it is a hard choice.
Ultimately though, its up to you and it is a hard choice.
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From: ɯooɹpǝq ɹnoʎ
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WGU is entirely self study, in the aspect that I open a book, read, comprehend, take a test. It's also one course at a time, so I have to take assessments, pass, then request the final exam and make at least a B (80%) to pass the course. At that point, I start the next course. Not really a format I will enjoy. I can sit in a class all day long, absorb, take a test and pass. Self study isn't necessarily easy for me.
Auburn, they actually record the lectures and stream them online. The MS I.S. degree is up to me, I pick what I want to do and take the corresponding courses. I can focus on Security, Database, or something else.
Auburn has definitely become my first choice after finding out the details I have. Belmont is only an option because my company picks an associate every year to sponsor. They'll pay 75% of the $60k tuition. I have to finish my application to Auburn by Feb 1. I have to have my boss nominate me for Belmont immediately after. If I am picked for the company sponsorship to Belmont, it's one of those things where I'll have to accept it. So, I guess as of now, I'm going for Belmont with Auburn as my backup. I'd prefer it be flipped, but no way that I can do that unless I delay for an entire year. Not really feeling that...
Auburn, they actually record the lectures and stream them online. The MS I.S. degree is up to me, I pick what I want to do and take the corresponding courses. I can focus on Security, Database, or something else.
Auburn has definitely become my first choice after finding out the details I have. Belmont is only an option because my company picks an associate every year to sponsor. They'll pay 75% of the $60k tuition. I have to finish my application to Auburn by Feb 1. I have to have my boss nominate me for Belmont immediately after. If I am picked for the company sponsorship to Belmont, it's one of those things where I'll have to accept it. So, I guess as of now, I'm going for Belmont with Auburn as my backup. I'd prefer it be flipped, but no way that I can do that unless I delay for an entire year. Not really feeling that...
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If it's just to get your proverbial foot in the door, and if the school is in the area where you intend to try to stay and build a life, go for the in-person. You can NOT underestimate the value of networking in person, especially in off-hours stuff you would never know was going on if you were just taking tests online.