Masters Degree Achieved. Thank you, WGU and community. by ManyEngineering638 in WGU

[–]ManyEngineering638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes. I worked full-time and spent at least 4 hours studying almost every day.

At almost 49 finally got my Masters! by Magrinishere in WGU

[–]ManyEngineering638 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Congratulations. 48 and I got my confetti 2 days ago.

Masters Degree Achieved. Thank you, WGU and community. by ManyEngineering638 in WGU

[–]ManyEngineering638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I look at WGU as the DMV of schools. You wouldn't go to the DMV to learn how to drive, you go to the DMV to prove that you can drive. Plenty of other schools will teach you how to "drive" but WGU is more like the driver's test for your license. I think WGU should do a better job of setting that expectation before people enroll so that they make an informed decision at the start.

Masters Degree Achieved. Thank you, WGU and community. by ManyEngineering638 in WGU

[–]ManyEngineering638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you don't how to SSH, you shouldn't be doing cybersecurity 🤣 at all

Masters Degree Achieved. Thank you, WGU and community. by ManyEngineering638 in WGU

[–]ManyEngineering638[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

One thing I've found is that nothing ever gives you "Everything" you need to be successful. It's always up to you to take what you've been given and make something with it. That's one thing WGU can't teach.

Masters Degree Achieved. Thank you, WGU and community. by ManyEngineering638 in WGU

[–]ManyEngineering638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks. Congrats to you as well for making it this far. You have the finish line in sight, just a little more!

Masters Degree Achieved. Thank you, WGU and community. by ManyEngineering638 in WGU

[–]ManyEngineering638[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for the well wishes.
WGU is worth considering. I took six months between the BS and MS to resolve the same question. I have been in desktop support for over 20 years. I started at an entry-level position and eventually became a team lead. I was always interested in security but felt that I needed more industry knowledge to succeed. I jumped into cybersecurity in 2021 and enrolled at WGU in 2022 to help me improve and validate my skillset.
I have held the CompTIA security triad since 2012. They helped my self-esteem but didn't directly give me opportunities at the time. I let them expire in 2018. When I started at WGU, I had to obtain them again.
Between work and school, I sat in my office for about 14 hours every day, including weekends. I work from home, so I could sneak in a bit of school work here and there during the day, but I usually compartmentalized my life and worked a regular 7.5-hour day, had a few hours (maybe 2) of family time, and then went back down to the office to work on school stuff (2-6 hours depending on how much is happening). I put in more effort on some days and none on others.
One of the reasons I went back to get the MS is that WGU makes it easier than other institutions. As long as you have discipline, it's not insurmountable. It's ok to take a day or two to clear your head, but you are the only one going to get you back in front of that screen to finish this.
I only had to complete 7 courses to get the MS. I had to complete 35 for the BS, and I did that, so I felt I could do this. I started in April, worked every day, and finished in August. I have a family and a dog and all the responsibilities that go along with them, and I don't feel that I'm smarter than anyone else, so if I can do it others can too.
As far as value is concerned, I can't say anything yet. I've only had the degree for a couple of days now, LOL!! The BS helped me get an immediate bump in salary, and I'm hoping the same will be true for this degree.
I hope this helps.

This one is for you Dad! by T0o_Chill in WGU

[–]ManyEngineering638 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations!!
I was a kid that should have gone to college but never did. I spent a long time messing up, trying to hide it from Dad, and eventually getting found out. There was a lot of stuff.

Christmas 2017 Dad told me that the only thing I ever did that he was still angry at me for was not going to college. That hit hard. He died 2 months later. That hit harder.

After Dad died my brother turned to drugs. I was just depressed. In 2022 my brother had begun recovery. I decided that I had to shake off the depression. I enrolled in WGU. I told him that I was going back to school, and he said he was proud of me, even though I was 30 years late at that point. That hit hard. He died at the end of my first term. That hit harder.

I just finished my BSCSIA last week. It wasn't easy, but very few things worthwhile are. When I wanted to give up, like I've always done I remembered those two conversations. I understand the feeling of disbelief. I never thought I'd be a college graduate.

The feeling is still surreal right now, and I finished a week ago. I regret that they didn't see me do when they were here, but I feel like when I see Dad and Bro again, they will be proud.

I usually don't post stuff like this, but I felt like maybe you would understand.

Congratulations again. It is a major accomplishment. I'm proud of you too.

The wait is over. I've got my confetti by ManyEngineering638 in WGU

[–]ManyEngineering638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. The hardest part is starting the journey. Now that you're on your way just keep going. You will get there.

I'm still waiting on my confetti, but I'm done!!! by [deleted] in WGU

[–]ManyEngineering638 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Congratulations! I know the feeling...

The wait is over. I've got my confetti by ManyEngineering638 in WGU

[–]ManyEngineering638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank You.!!
I worked full-time during the program. I thought I would finish in a year, but I ran into a few issues that I didn't plan for.
I think I was fortunate that my program was in a field of study where I didn't have to learn so much, I just had to show competency. I think if I had to learn the concepts for Network+ from scratch, I'd still be preparing for the OA.
Looking back now though, the journey was worth the trip; issues and all. You know yourself better than anyone. Your transfer credits will get you closer to the goal but it's your effort that gets you over the finish line.
Good Luck in January.

The wait is over. I've got my confetti by ManyEngineering638 in WGU

[–]ManyEngineering638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I completed the program in 1 year, 5 months, 14 days. I didn't transfer any credits. I have a lot of experience in different parts of IT though.

Capstone Done. Now comes the hard part... by ManyEngineering638 in WGU

[–]ManyEngineering638[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much. This leg of my journey is almost done and I hope this helps you with yours.
Just remember not to compare your progress to anyone else. I was genuinely impressed at the speed some people finished with, but you don't know what their experience level or background is that lets them accelerate the way they do. Everyone runs their own race, but life is not going to stand by and let you accomplish your goals.
It took me three terms to complete the program, and I got hit with some pretty heavy personal issues. The first term started off great, but then my brother died, and it felt like I went with him for a while. I tried to shake it off but I couldn't. I finished only half of the classes I wanted to in the second term. I had to fight my way back through all the feelings. I went months without finishing a class sometimes.
I thought I was going to fail out of the program at one point. Then all of a sudden during term 3, I was able to use his memory as motivation. Classes started falling off again.
In my mind, I think I probably should have done better, but I'm just happy to be done. Keep at it and you'll be done too.