I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering, and I work as a supply chain analyst for a Fortune 100 company. I'm not sure if I should go CS or ITM. I enjoy programming computers, but don't have a ton of experience with it, but I also don't really enjoy business-type classes. I get bored easily... How practical are each of these degrees, what are ways in which these degrees will enhance my career and earnings potential? I'd like to start classes in the Spring, but I'm not sure which I should do.
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I work as a contract project manager in financial systems application development. When I review developers' resumes the most important factor is relevant experience. The people who get interviews are the ones whose development experience most closely matches the development project for which they would be hired. Having an advanced theoretical IT degree would not count against a prospective employee, but it would not in itself promote the person over another with the right experience. Practical qualifications such as those specified by Microsoft (Certified Solutions Developer, Certified Systems Engineer) are much, much more useful to employers looking for programmers than theroretical degrees. Seeing an IT certification on a resume definitely puts the candidate towards the top of the pile. Employers know that programmers certified by Microsoft, SAP etc will have been properly trained and will be less likely to be cowboy programmers. IT certifications can take just as long to complete as masters degrees. They are modular; you complete segments of the course and can choose to specialize in areas of programming that are of more interest to you. Then, when you have completed the proscribed number of modules and passed the relevant exams you apply for certification. First you need to decide what kind of programming you want to do, for example web programming, database development, application developent etc. So if you decide for example that you want to become a MCSD (solutions developer) you would take courses with a Microsoft training partner and work towards the certification. Armed with a qualification it would be relatively easy for you to get an entry level programming position. From there you could progress to senior programmer and then into project management or move into related areas such as business analysis or testing. I don't know about earnings in the US; I work mostly in the UK. Junior developers here earn around $300 - $400 per day. Senior developers with 5 years' experience earn around $700 - $900 per day. Project managers earn $1,000+. The rates depend on company size and industry with invesment banks usually paying the most and public sector government work paying the least. The pay is very good, but when you work as a contractor you don't get a pension, sick pay, vacation pay, health benefits or indeed any other kind of benefit that you get with a permanent job. Also bear in mind that looking for your next job is part of the job. Things can get pretty tough during economic downturns but you make up for this when the economy is good. Figure that you will be in between contracts and looking for work for a few weeks or months per year, depending on how much in demand your specialism is, state of the economy etc. Permanent salaries are usually around 60-80% of contract rates. Plus you get employee benefits and some job security.
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