Thinking about going back to Grad School to get a Master's in Management Information Systems (MIS). Here's a random program description for reference: http://mis.temple.edu/programs/graduate/ms.htm

I never really connected with the idea of an MBA, but I know I need to get more education to protect my future hire-ability. So, thought of this MIS degree as an alternative.

Any thoughts from you computer career knowledgeable forumites? I'm just gathering opinions and thoughts from all angles. Off shoring potential, overall job plentifulness, can I realistically pull off this degree while working full time, I don't have a CS undergrad - will that be a hinderance, is going to a tier two school (as opposed to Ivy League etc) for this degree pointless or still worth something>> etc etc.??

Background info:

I have a totally non technical undergrad degree and have been in the workforce for about 14 years (in my mid 30's). I work in Mngt now, but would like to work more in computers than general mngt in the future. Also, I'm pretty good at database type brain work and network type brain work. That's where this idea stems from. I kind of enjoy those projects when they come up in my work routine (at least more than other projects). And to clarify: I work for a boot strap start up and my formal role is not in any sort of computer work. So, the computer stuff I do is just because we have no IT dept, but it's nothing you can put on a resume as formal work. It just got me thinking that I might want to pursue it as my brain seems to take to it.

An MIS is gold in government contracting. If you're a non-technical Bachelor's, you want to in your area of IT expertise, and have the government reimburse your company then you could really, really use an MIS. I've seen sickeningly talented IT professionals -- the folks who could sleepwalk through your toughest IT coursework due to their years of experience -- get left off of contracts 'cause they didn't have the paperwork to back them up on proposals.

(Conversely: If you have a technical undergrad for the scenario above, you don't need a technical postgraduate degree and would do better with an MBA to show your leadership/management skills.)

Either way: Have a specific reason for your foray into a graduate program. I highly recommend Getting What You Came For (http://mall.johnstonefitness.com/shop.php?c=books&n=1000&i=0374524777&x=Getting_What_You_Came_For_The_Smart_Students_Gui de_to_Earning_an_MA_or_a_PhD) and think it should be required reading before graduate school...though it is more arts-focused.

We're very similar in our current situation and this is a dilemma I seem to cycle through every six months or so. I always (easily) talk myself out of an advanced degree by a quick review of GWYCF. It's probably very situational.

If you enjoy the mental aspect of your job (solving problems in your head and then explaining how to do it to your superiors/peers/workforce), then I'd recommend looking for business capture opportunities within your current organization. Proposal teams/salesdrones are perpetually looking for smart technical people to provide lucid, compelling arguments for them.

The unfortunate part is that it usually winds up putting you in a position where you're expected to do your current job, plus this upper-echelon management job simultaneously. I suppose it'd be the same coursework as a postgraduate degree...except with no degree, but no loans, either.

:gl: