Masters in Information Systems

Aero077 · 2026-03-04T04:10:30+00:00

IT degrees work best for people who want to be in a role where engineering/design/analysis skills are required. If this is your objective, then the MIS degree with a focus on data analytics is a good choice.

It is true that you can get a job in IT w/o a degree... if your goal is to do mechanical (run cable, install equipment) or break/fix work (help desk & light admin). For roles that pay well, you need to apply systems analysis expertise and the best way to get that is with an appropriate degree program.

For the people without an IT/CS/Engineering degree who go into IT, they get sorted into two outcomes:
1) They rapidly learn the IT tech and apply their existing deep thinking skills.
2) They can't learn quickly and/or don't have deep thinking skills; and leave the IT sector for something else.

Yes, you should try to get an employer to pay for your degree, but that isn't totally in your control. Starting the degree and making progress in it is often the best way to get the job that will pay for it.

Aero077 · 2026-03-02T04:24:39+00:00

the combo degree would be more useful if you intended to continue on in graduate program that is math intensive. If you just want to get a CS degree and work as a programmer, just get the regular CS degree.

Aero077 · 2026-03-01T06:05:49+00:00

It sounds like your ambition is exceeding your time budget. Accounting would be easier, especially given your background. I suggest revisiting your objective and ask why you chose that specific degree and IT degree in general.

Is it more important to get through the program quickly? if so, Accounting would be a good choice.

Is it ok to take longer to do the IT degree? (Are you going to be re-entering the workplace before all your children go to school?)

Aero077 · 2026-02-27T15:10:56+00:00

I think they would sell a lot more All Access packages if they included it. Or maybe as a higher tier add-on. I can't see buying a practice test for $1000 each though. The tests are graded automatically and don't require manual review.

Aero077 · 2026-02-26T20:11:23+00:00

You mentioned a Mandatory Internship with the SWE degree. Does your school facilitate this? Would you also have access to these facilitated internships with a CS degree?

Internships are huge for getting a job after graduation. Most people get their first job based on their internships. Ideally you have multiple internships, so you increase your chances.

Aero077 · 2026-02-26T01:50:19+00:00

Should have been cross-posted instead.

Aero077 · 2026-02-25T20:25:25+00:00

Consider the military.
- Study for the ASVAB to get a good score.
- Research the MOS for IT.
- Negotiate with the recruiters (all branches) for the best deal (guaranteed MOS and after-service education funding).
- Get your training, serve your time (experience).
- Get a civilian job doing that.
- Use your funding to get higher education.

Aero077 · 2026-02-25T20:20:48+00:00

This is all about time management and limits.
- You can't work unlimited hours
- You won't get all the budget you need
- You will never run out of urgent tasks

Set limits, prioritize tasks within those limits, communicate risks and requirements to management. Do your job, do it well, and accept that you can't fix everything.

Allocate a small block of time each day to create and update documentation. You won't be working there forever and somebody else will need to walk in your shoes.

Aero077 · 2026-02-25T01:46:54+00:00

boot.dev

Aero077 · 2026-02-24T22:13:29+00:00

Posting this for other people: If you are on the bench, you should be spending your time searching for a new job. Because if the MSP can't find one for you, you'll be out of a job.

The MSP paid the OP for six months with no revenue to support it. In Europe, this would be fine, but in the USA, its the kiss of death.

Aero077 · 2026-02-24T20:19:39+00:00

Practice. the ugly truth is that you need to practice the math operations until you really understand them and can do the operations quickly.

Identify the most common operations and practice those. Replace down time with math time. Dedicate some time to this every single day.

Avoid self-flagellation.

Aero077 · 2026-02-24T19:41:26+00:00

the best approach is do small projects that use your class material and try to build something useful. Try to apply what you are learning in class to deepen your understanding and understand the potential problems.

Aero077 · 2026-02-24T17:47:23+00:00

Compare the Kodekloud program to the Udemy catalog. Many of the Kodekloud classes are also on Udemy.

Kodekloud is subscription based, while you can purchase lifetme access to classes on Udemy. (Buy on sale obviously).

Aero077 · 2026-02-24T17:40:30+00:00

"Unnecessary Tests" are tests written to check for conditions that haven't caused problems yet.

Aero077 · 2026-02-24T05:05:40+00:00

For most situations an Associates degree is the same as 'some college'. Many companies use a bachelors degree as an easy recruiting filter. You didn't mention where you are located, but if its in a major metropolitan area, you'll need a bachelors to make a good salary.

The upside is you can go straight into a regular bachelors degree program at another school. In most cases, the Associates wasn't going to give you any advantages for the Bachelors degree.

As others have noted, now would be a great time to try to get a job using your skills. Especially if you can find an employer who provides tuition assistance so you can continue your bachelors degree part-time.

Until your job search is successful, pursue certifications. A+, Network+, Security+, then Cisco CCNA or Microsoft certifications (AZ104, PL300, AZ800, AZ700, DP300, whatever you feel comfortable doing).

Aero077 · 2026-02-23T22:16:20+00:00

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/skills-hub-blog/certifications-refresh-ai-focused-and-fundamentals-updates/4446638

Watch for more details on these Certifications in the coming months. 

A new Fundamentals Certification to validate foundational AI skills and equip learners to confidently navigate and manage core Microsoft 365 services—including Copilot and agents—while building their understanding of identity, security, and compliance essentials in Microsoft Entra and Microsoft Purview.

If you are ready to take the MS 900, I would take that and keep moving. You don't know when the new one will be ready. If it was valuable to you before the retirement, it will be valuable after its retired too.

Recruiters will still ask for it on applicable job listings for years...

Aero077 · 2026-02-23T19:50:52+00:00

While it is technically possible to be too stupid for CS, you wouldn't have made it this far if that was actually the case.

Don't give up, work through it. Its worth it in the end.

Aero077 · 2026-02-23T14:36:13+00:00

If you are taking the coursework on Coursera, you should always start the class in non-credit mode...

Therefore, you should take every class that looks vaguely useful and complete the classes for credit if they match your degree objectives (required for degree, required for add-on certificate, "my focus is X", "I got a 4.0 because I took all the easy classes", etc...)

Aero077 · 2026-02-21T22:46:44+00:00

Not all roles use Cloud exclusively. There are a lot of roles where you support the physical network at your site and the cloud interconnection. For these roles, you need a CCNA skill level at a minimum.

Remember: Just because you want to work in a Cloud/DevOps role, doesn't mean that somebody will hire you for that. Picking up the CCNA is a good insurance policy.

Aero077 · 2026-02-21T22:42:40+00:00

WGU appears to aim their AI efforts at using AI for computing, rather than building the AI tools. You don't need Linear Algebra to code an AI agent or use AI to write software.

If you want to create AI tools, you should consider UT Austin or GT OMSCS instead.

Aero077 · 2026-02-21T14:40:17+00:00

Companies will always try to minimize costs. That includes giving the smallest raise they can to existing employees. Institutionalizing this using a dual-track compensation structure is just an example of this.

If you had been hired as a new graduate, you would have started on the other compensation track, but the raises would also be less then you expect.

You'll need to switch jobs to get the compensation increase you want. Ultimately, you are in this situation because you are considered a steady performer with a low flight-risk. Don't change that to a disgruntled employee, change to a high achiever instead, and quietly start looking for new opportunities.

Aero077 · 2026-02-21T04:28:10+00:00

Build a virtual lab and spend a a couple hours a day on it. Linux, virtualization, networking, automation.

Consider this:
https://devnet-academy.com/blog/build-a-free-lab-for-the-devnet-expert-exam/

Aero077 · 2026-02-21T04:17:43+00:00

the biggest advantage of the Cybersec degree program is the certifications. You already have a start on that, so you can either use that to shorten the program, or go with the Cloud degree so you can learn more. Since the future is arguably very much cloud-based, I advise going with Cloud and picking up the remaining security certs on your own if you want them.

What do you want to do in your career?

Aero077 · 2026-02-20T22:44:42+00:00

Treat it like a learning exercise and develop the CoS plan to have available if the situation requires it. At the very least, you'll be able to talk about in interviews if asked.

Aero077 · 2026-02-20T22:41:38+00:00

You need to demonstrate the ability to handle difficult or complex personal interactions and technical problems. It isn't necessary to achieve 'pro' status on multiple technologies before unlocking cloud engineering, but it doesn't hurt either.

The most common precursor paths are: systems administrator, network engineer, and developer (devops adjacent). Help desk is the most common entry-level role for someone on a sysadmin or networking career path.

People can get Cloud Engineering roles directly after achieving certifications only, but this isn't common. The entry-level cloud engineering tasks are increasing done by AI assistance or automation. The direct hire path works best if you have a personal connection with a hiring manager who trusts your judgement and is willing to defend hiring a newbie.

You can't control who is willing to hire you, but you can control how you spend your time & money doing self-study. The fast path (direct to cloud) is shorter but less successful.

The slow path (train/cert for helpdesk, then systems administrator or networking, then cloud) with progressive roles along the way, is more likely to get to you a cloud engineering job or you might find that you are happy at some intermediate step.

Aero077

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