What degree to help me in my career

amb1s1

Hi, I'm a network engineer for a large Provider. I'm also a CCNP and planning to be a ccie in the future with the help of my employer. I want to go back to college, but I don't want to take the same thing tha I'm doing in my job because I will find that I'm going to be more advance. What degree should I take that it will incorporate with my career in some way that will be make me a better Engineer? Thanks in advance.

ptilsen

If you don't just want to learn about what you already do, be sure to stay away from infrastructure-focused degrees. WGU, which is very popular here, would not be good for your goals, in my opinion.

I would suggest you pick one of two directions:
Option one is to go towards a more business-focused degree, meaning maybe some MIS degrees, and definitely business administration, economics, or an MBA if you are looking at graduate degrees. I don't know that these will make you a better engineer, but they will (hopefully) help you better align technology with business needs by improving your understanding of those needs.

Option two is to go heavily technical: Get a computer science undergrad and probably a master's degree after that. There are plenty of applications for the mixture of the knowledge taught by computer science and the skills a network engineer has. There is little doubt a computer science degree would make you a better engineer.

Avoid: CIS, IT, IS, Network Administration, etc.

NetworkVeteran

That is, imho, good advice.

al3kt.R***

I totally agree with ptilsen's option 1 !!!
Best of luck amb1s1

Zartanasaurus

I think the ROI would be better spent on the CCIE, but if you are set on going back I'd agree with ptilsen. Comp Sci, Comp Engi or Business.

Patel128

Im not done yet but I really like the classes for a computer science degree (other than Discrete Structures that is just terrible from the 2 weeks I have been in it). I would honestly tell anyone to do a CS degree if they are interested in computer. I do not want to be a programmer when I get done but the knowledge in my opinion will still be VERY useful.

Slowhand

I'm going to agree with the consensus that you're probably going to want to go for a business degree or either an electrical engineering or computer science degree. Actually, what I'd recommend, (if you have the drive to do it,) would be to take the technical undergraduate degree while taking business-related courses as either a minor or as your general education, then pursue an MBA after that. It would be a LOT of work, there would be lots and lots of classes to take, but it might be worth it if you're really looking to set yourself apart.