Graduate Application Completed!

So I finished my graduate application tonight! Going for an MS in Information Systems, though I am not 100% on what elective courses I will take. The college offers a number of security courses, but I think I am leaning towards knowledge management/data mining. I figure I will complete the core courses (should be a bear within itself) and then see where I am at after that. There is also the option to get an MS in Library and Information Science (dual masters), the college offers a specialization in Competitive Intelligence that one of my professors has said could be very fruitful and interesting at the very least (that is what his Masters is in). I'll keep the thread updated with whether or not I get accepted....
WIP:
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$2800? Lucky man! Congrats! I can understand not wanting to go into more debt, especially if you are where you want to be career wise. No GRE's/GMAT's for me since my GPA was high enough to by pass that requirement. Now if I try to go for the PhD, I'll have to take them in order to get in. Free education at what in 2009 was the #3 school for MSIS in the US isn't too shabby and can't be passed up...
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Although plan on working alot. I used to take vacation days to do homework.
And like others in this thread, my Masters hasn't helped me at all at this phase in my career. I got oversold on it, however I consider myself fortunate because I lived below my means and was able to pay for mine out-of-pocket and come out of it with no student loans. So I don't have the threat of student debt crushing my skull.
"Its easier to deceive the masses then to convince the masses that they have been deceived."
-unknown
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Wow yeah you don't want to pass up an opportunity like that. I wish you the best on that for sure.
From all the job listings I have been looking at, most places don't ask for a master's unless it's management. I've seen a few level 4 positions and then there are the bat-shiat crazy HR managers that ask for a PhD and CCIE for an entry level postion, but you don't want to work there anyways. anyways, rambling, i need coffee.
Applying to Drexel University (that's where I completed my undergrad and where I just got hired). I think my ultimate goal would be to start my own business. Having worked for small businesses since I've graduated, I've found myself thinking "why aren't I just doing this myself?" Spend enough time making money for other people and on their terms it starts to wear on you. As far as my goals for what to study, I have three basic ideas:
1. Focus on knowledge management, data mining, information retrieval/analysis
2. Focus on security (which was the focus of my undergraduate studies)
3. Combine the above two options, working on some form of security automation based off of information/event analysis
I am also considering the option of graduating with two Masters: Information Systems along with Library and Information Science (with a focus on Competitive Intelligence). I think the combination of those two degrees could lead to some interesting future business endeavors as well as present an excellent background for PhD studies/research. But, you have to complete a certain number of credits in either degree before you can apply for the dual Masters program. Plenty of time to consider my options and to figure out which way I want to lean. I figure I don't need to have a focus/apply for the dual degrees until I complete my first years worth of studies, since that would be the point at which I've completed the core requirements for IS. Thanks for the information!
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Drexel has a good program from what I have heard.
I am also doing concentrations in Business Intelligence and Information Security. Not sure which I will end up going into, but hopefully a combination also. I am currently a DBA/developer so BI is more likely my route.
If it is basically free, its hard to pass up. The only main opportunity cost will be the decreased hours you may work, unless u are planning to do full time. It is a lot of work, but hopefully worth it in the end.
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