MIS degree, worth getting?

Hello all,

I'm set to graduate this summer with a BS in Accountancy, however I would much rather go into IT. I could opt for a dual major in MIS and Accounting and graduate two semesters later, but that would cost me another $5,000 and I'm not sure if it'd be worth the extra cost.

I would rather study for the CCNA and pass it, and start applying for sysadmin internships, but would it be better for long term to have the dual BS in accounting and MIS? Or is it more important to just have certs and experience?

Thanks in advance.

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MSP-IT

What does your accountancy degree entail? If I were you, I'd look at heading toward more of a financial analytics/big data direction. There is a lot of money there. It's within IT and seems very interesting.

Akaricloud

From someone who has a MIS degree: Work on some certifications and specific tech experience. A MIS degree isn't going to provide you with much real technical experience that will help you find a job.

Take a look at what positions interest you and start studying the technology they require. Typically CCNA requirements are more geared towards a network role, not a systems administration role.

KruZah

MSP-IT wrote: »

What does your accountancy degree entail? If I were you, I'd look at heading toward more of a financial analytics/big data direction. There is a lot of money there. It's within IT and seems very interesting.

Here's a link to my Uni's catalog for accounting.

There isn't really anything intensive in financial analytics, but a lot of the coursework is relevant. Also, I've considered looking at Masters of MIS degrees and Masters of Accounting degrees that focus on IT auditing. A lot of CPA firms have CISAs on staff nowadays. My only problem with this route is that those that work in public accounting work very long hours, and starting pay is terrible (though better than what you'd expect with just a CCNA and a start in IT). I also don't want to pay grad school tuition.

I guess I'm just wondering how much more valuable it will be to have a degree in MIS over just a four-year degree in anything. Has anyone here been turned down from a job for not having a degree in IT/CS/CIS/MIS while having a four-year degree in something else?

aspiringsoul

A few of my co-workers do not have IT related degrees. Certifications and experience are much more relevant in my opinion. If I were you, I would consider going for a masters degree instead. If you're going to spend your valuable time and money on additional education, go for a graduate degree instead of an additional undergraduate. You may have to take additional courses since yours is an unrelated major, depending on the program. Otherwise, pursue certifications that are of interest to you.

You might consider an MBA with an IT focus. It really all depends on where you want to go with your career.

--chris--

Where I work MS degrees = Directors/Department heads/etc...its less technical work, more administrative in nature.

I think it also depends a lot on where you work. Here a Masters is a good thing. There are some places around here that couldn't care less.

BoneSpur

--chris-- wrote: »

Where I work MS degrees = Directors/Department heads/etc...its less technical work, more administrative in nature.

I think it also depends a lot on where you work. Here a Masters is a good thing. There are some places around here that couldn't care less.

+1 to this. I have a BS in MIS and I have started over in the technical arena of things. I do plan to move up to a director level, so a bachelors degree is worth it.

I had an awful interview about a year ago where the guy TOLD me my BS is a bunch of bs and just sheep skin. The meat is in experience and certifications. I didn't want the job anyway... He may have been right but he was a douchebag.

KruZah

Akaricloud wrote: »

From someone who has a MIS degree: Work on some certifications and specific tech experience. A MIS degree isn't going to provide you with much real technical experience that will help you find a job.

Thanks.

Yes, this has been my gut feeling.

Yeah, I should have known better to not have said sysadmin. By brother works in IT, and he told me he could get me on board at his place of work with an internship if I got my CCNA, and he says his formal title is "IT systems administrator", so that's why I derped out sysadmin.

Danielm7

BoneSpur wrote: »

I had an awful interview about a year ago where the guy TOLD me my BS is a bunch of bs and just sheep skin. The meat is in experience and certifications. I didn't want the job anyway... He may have been right but he was a douchebag.

I wouldn't sweat people like that, sounds like he just had a giant chip on his shoulder. For what it's worth my own brother used to hire tech people and thought degrees were a stupid waste, because he didn't have one... then he was told he could get a huge promotion and move towards director if he finished his degree. He did, and now he thinks they are super important, hah.

--chris--

BoneSpur wrote: »

+1 to this. I have a BS in MIS and I have started over in the technical arena of things. I do plan to move up to a director level, so a bachelors degree is worth it.

I had an awful interview about a year ago where the guy TOLD me my BS is a bunch of bs and just sheep skin. The meat is in experience and certifications. I didn't want the job anyway... He may have been right but he was a douchebag.

The take away is that's his opinion at that employer. Here, the emphasis is placed (incorrectly maybe?) on institutional education. They hire people with BS's and no experience to do tier 3 application support for medical staff. Thats far from entry level work (and pay)!

The degree is only a piece of the puzzle.