I enjoyed doing my Masters: it was a great break to hear myself think again after working like a donkey for a year and a half after my first degree. I learned a lot - having to do class presentations, discussions and essays really helped me shape my thinking. I also did it in a city I love a lot, and met a bunch of great people.

But I am not an IT professional, so you may look at different priorities. I think you'd need to ask yourself if you're after strictly technical qualifications - then a certification may be more useful.


On 15 October 2013 14:58, Kivuva <Kivuva@transworldafrica.com> wrote:
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.

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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.


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


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.

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