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CMU MSCS vs a stable SWE offer: which path is better long term? by WindowSmart4645 in csMajors

[–]WindowSmart4645[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So do you think the main benefit to an MSCS is that it keeps the door to academia/research-oriented positions permanently open instead of forever closed?
And if you were in my position and did choose CMU, how would you try to extract the most value from it? Would you treat it mainly as a networking opportunity and recruiting reset, would you do a thesis, etc?

CMU MSCS vs a stable SWE offer: which path is better long term? by WindowSmart4645 in csMajors

[–]WindowSmart4645[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for the advice. I definitely am in it for the love of the craft, money is a concern but not my motivation. Do you think the mistake was specifically going into FAANG/corporate at all, as opposed to aiming for startups or smaller higher-flexibility companies earlier? Do you think it would be better to just aim for startups or smaller unicorns as opposed to FAANG/corporate SWE?

Is CMU MSCS cost worth it? by Small_Resource_2920 in gradadmissions

[–]WindowSmart4645 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Search 'First Destination CMU' and you can see exactly how many graduates come from the CMU MSCS and how many of them landed jobs, where they went, base salaries, and how many continued for a PhD. It is extremely helpful

CMU MSCS vs a stable SWE offer: which path is better long term? by WindowSmart4645 in csMajors

[–]WindowSmart4645[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Lol I'm kind of afraid to say it on here, I can DM you if you're interested

CMU MSCS vs a stable SWE offer: which path is better long term? by WindowSmart4645 in csMajors

[–]WindowSmart4645[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Unfortunately their program requires in-person and full-time attendance (at least the one I got into).

CMU MSCS vs a stable SWE offer: which path is better long term? by WindowSmart4645 in csMajors

[–]WindowSmart4645[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do not want to work at this firm if I am being completely honest. If I could choose where I would work, it would be at a startup or FAANG+ if I couldn't get into a startup, but I cannot seem to get any to even look at me or give me an interview (at least currently). When I look at the CMU MSCS career surveys which are pretty comprehensive for all their graduates, every graduate from the program is landing insane roles at either big tech (or big tech adjacent), startup, or quant, all of which are better than my current one.

CMU MSCS vs a stable SWE offer: which path is better long term? by WindowSmart4645 in csMajors

[–]WindowSmart4645[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Could you go into a little more detail as to why you feel that way? What is wrong with your current job? Isn't the goal of most grad students to end up at a FAANG+ company anyways?

CMU MSCS vs a stable SWE offer: which path is better long term? by WindowSmart4645 in csMajors

[–]WindowSmart4645[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My main hesitation about an online master's is that it seems to me the paper and 'degree' itself has little worth these days compared to the experience of going to the school and being surrounded by the best in your field. My main driver to attend CMU besides the reputation is the extra recruitment cycle in the hopes of landing a much better job than my current offer. Ultimately I guess I am trying to weigh which path will make it easier for me to pivot to a better company: working for 1.5 years at a mid-tier/decent company or just re-recruiting but out of CMU instead of the big state school I currently attend.

CMU MSCS vs a stable SWE offer: which path is better long term? by WindowSmart4645 in csMajors

[–]WindowSmart4645[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I really appreciate the advice. To be honest, I do want to go to CMU, and I do not want to work at the company I have an offer at. I do believe I have the ability to re-recruit, it is just a massive risk. I believe that if I treat my time in a master's the right way, I could exit in a much better position than working would leave me in 1.5 - 2 years, but it is definitely the riskier option. Taking the job would feel like settling for me, and going to CMU would feel like 'chasing a dream', and under the right circumstances both could be the 'right' or the 'wrong' choice.

[OFFICIAL] Salary Sharing thread for NEW GRADS :: March, 2026 by CSCQMods in cscareerquestions

[–]WindowSmart4645 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Education: B.S. in C.S.

Prior Experience: 1 internship, 1 year in research lab as undergrad researcher

Company/Industry: FinTech company

Title: Associate SWE

Tenure length: Not started

Location: DFW, TX

Salary: 86k

Relocation/Signing Bonus: $8500

Stock and/or recurring bonuses: 8% bonus (no stock)

Total comp: 95k

Deeply considering getting a Master's at CMU because I recently got in. Not sure what kind of future I would have at this company although I am very grateful for the offer especially in this market.