Two different MSc options

[digimar]

Hey I am about to complete my bachelor's degree and i was looking into doing a masters in networking. I have been looking at one of 2 schools, namely Carnegie Mellon and Univeristy of Pennsylvania. CMU's MSc is Information Networking and can be found at http://www.ini.cmu.edu/academics/MSIN/index.htm and while its main focus is networking it provides a springboard for many jobs ranging from software engineer and so forth and the salaries and stuff look pretty great actually.

Now there is Upenn which offers a MSc in Telecommunications & Networking
http://www.seas.upenn.edu/profprog/tcom/index.html
Upenn is a good school overall but i have heard nothing at all about their engineering disciplines while Carnegie Mellon is obviously an excellent IT/Engineering school and they provide more information about their IN program while Upenn gives very little info about their program compared to what CMU gives you (such as job stats, employers, etc)

But i like Upenn's courses a lil bit better :eusa_wall

CMU wud definitely open doors, Upenn i wud probably have to work alot harder especially if i wanted to work in the USA.....

I really wanna get into networking, so could u guys give your opinion on the courses both offer. I have provided links to both of the programs sites above..

Any help appreciated...thanks

[Chris]

They both appear to offer atractive programmes. Don't be too concerned about what you think to be UPenn's standing because when you look at their programme's info you'll see that some of the courses will be taken at Wharton Business School, one of the top business schools in the US ranking highly with the likes of Harvard.

I think either programme will be good for you. One piece of advice to you would be to also consider doing a general management degree probably a MBA after your MSc, heck, you may even find a MBA with a concentration in telecommunications management or the sort. A good management degree will make you so much more rounded and flexible for senior managerial positions as compared to strictly technical degrees ;)

[digimar]

Thanks Chris for taking the time to actually go through all that stuff on their respective sites, i was frankly a bit worried that most ppl wouldn't have the time or want to do it. As for the MBA that is definitely on my must do list, If I could I would do my MBA and MSc from Upenn simultaneously however, the MBA required work experience or some exceptional leadership skills so I will have to settle for my MSc right now and then doing the MBA after some 2 years or so of working. Maybe sooner if i could find a way to get around that whole work experience thing...I had held jobs every summer since i was 16. Ranging from a Systems Developer (this summer) to clerical officer at our local Immigration Department (2002 & 2003). PLus i also work at UWI as a lab assistant but somehow i doubt Upenn would look at this as what they call professional work or leadership experience. I have no problem waiting tho, doing my MSc then MBA in a year or two may even be a good idea instead of doing them both simultaneously.

Right now Upenn is winning in terms of location, and the courses focus and stuff like that, It's just when I see things like the salary stats at CMU its like WHOA! The salaries look pretty good there especially for foreign nationals and I was hoping to be able to land a job in the USA and earn my work exp there so thats why i was looking at CMU vs UPenn's standing.

[rodalembs]

One piece of advice to you would be to also consider doing a general management degree probably a MBA after your MSc, heck, you may even find a MBA with a concentration in telecommunications management or the sort. A good management degree will make you so much more rounded and flexible for senior managerial positions as compared to strictly technical degrees ;)

I agree with you Chris. :eusa_clap . I have been think aobut dat that for myself too... That a MBA really helps when you thinknig about senior maangement postions even if they are IT related. The Ms on IS is still techincally based..so is Certifications. But a good MBA sohould give you a rounded knowledge of the Business and will augment you techincall knowledge. I think BCK aluded to this idea in a earlier post.

As for the the schools he highlighted. they are very good schools. I have herad about the quailty of the CMU program before...but UPEN has Wharton, which is the top business school in the US if notthe world.so if figure the should be good too.

I would check out these two also :

RIT - Rochester Institute of Technology : www.rit.edu

RIP - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute : www.rpi.edu

These two schools are BIG IT schools, both pushed by AQUEST and VERSAN

Take alook

[BlackCryptoKnight]

I say, do your Masters in the field you are interested in learning more about and specializing in. Then, later if you want, go ahead and do something like an MBA or PhD in whatever. As for the school, go with the place that has the ciriculum you want. Brand name is secondary. You will ultimately determine the quality of your education by the effort you put in. Make sure you do the courses you need in order for you to be sucessful.

[generaldvw]

Myself, I am a firm believer that it does not matter seriously WHERE u to the degree, but WHAT you do to earn it that can be used to truly distinguish yourself.

[rodalembs]

I Brand name is secondary.

I would not necessary say that.! When yu thinking about a MBA... there is a significant diffrence in salary for graduates of the 1st Tier schools as against the 4th Tier schools. In the US th tops schools have the big budgets and such have better facilities and labs....The quality of the schools in the US is a big big thing....

[BlackCryptoKnight]

I would not necessary say that.! When yu thinking about a MBA... there is a significant diffrence in salary for graduates of the 1st Tier schools as against the 4th Tier schools. In the US th tops schools have the big budgets and such have better facilities and labs....The quality of the schools in the US is a big big thing....

There's no question that schools differ in quality and some are better equipped and staffed than others, however my point is, not every Harvard MBA graduate is a good business person. Going to an Ivy league school does not guarantee sucess. Sure it opens the door of opportunity, but if you do not walk through it, it is of no benefit to you. Also, Harvard etc. may be great for an MBA focused on certain areas, but may be deficient in others. A lesser acclaimed school may offer that focus others don't, and may do it satisfactorily.

Ultimately, it is about how you make use of the educational opportunity.
It's quite plausible and practical to select a degree programme based on content rather than just brand name.

[rodalembs]

Brand Names School Usually have the better content..... :o :o :D ...

[BlackCryptoKnight]

Brand Names School Usually have the better content..... :o :o :D ...

You know, that may be the popular perception, but consider this, what is the school experience really about?

Good lecturers
Good course selection

Actual course or subject area content, is available to anybody who can read, or go online. The rest is about guidance. Name brand schools may have more big named lecturers, and maybe a wider selection of courses, but the student still has to work with the same content any other student has to work with at any other school.

Telecom is telecom. The applications, and perspectives on it may differ, but it's the same telecom wherever...

[rodalembs]

My point of departure is that some schools because of the extent of the budget can afford to provide students with for example, DSL to their dorm room,there entire library electornically, field trips/work experince at Intel/Microsoft/Sun etc..etc.. RIT and RIP above and NYU are reputed technology Schools. So is Wharton for its MBA programme. All programmes are no equal BCK...even if the core of the content is similar. Telecom is telecom is telecom ..yes..but there are significant advantages to attending a school who can carry in engineers from Nortel to talk and demonstrate lastest technology trends as against one who cannot ( they might not even have the privilege of simulatino tools). Not ever Harvard MBA graduate is a good business person. On thing for sure they cant say though is that they did not have the opportunity of great business education. The quality of some of these schools can make the ordinary matriculant come out shining.

[digimar]

OK Thanks guys. Well one thing that gives CMU the edge over Upenn is the availability of partial scholarships (if not full) in the programme. I go Upenn for the MSc and i either got to pay full out of pocket (which i cannot afford) or get government funding.

1) I like the course content better
2) I can do a dual degree and get my MSc and MBA simultaneously in 2.5 to 3 years

However CMU has:
1) partial funding
2) better IT reputation

I was sure i could get into Upenn's MBA programme i would definitely choose Upenn because i could do the dual degree...

but MBA programs tend to like one thing i don't have: full time work experience
(i doubt working part-time for a few months, also working as a lab tech at uwi and
having summer jobs since i was 16 would count)

If i can get into Upenn's MBA, decision made. but i dont think i will get in. Yea First Class Honours (In Information Technology & Accounting) and a killer GMAT score would look great but where is my as they put it "leadership potential" and almost every applicant will have the same great GPA and a high GMAT...

According to the stats, Upenn lets in 10 ppl without work experience, chances i am gonna be one of those is umm NOT GOOD