I'm interested in doing a Masters in CS, a Masters in Data Analytics (WGU has this), or a Masters in IT with Data Analytics concentration/emphasis (NAU, Purdue Global, or other).
The IT degree seems easier but not by a lot, and the courses seem less interesting. I haven't found a CS degree that is quicker yet, but I assume one is out there which I could do in 12 months or less. I don't think I am willing to do one that takes longer because I would just do WGU or PurdueG instead. I would probably do CS at a state school. CS degrees tend to have some required courses that I dislike, but I think that some have a decent curriculum especially if they offer a Data Analytics concentration.
I'm a little less interested in WGU (compared to the other schools because of their marketing), but it seems like some employers might be impressed with the degree being so focused. I feel like it looks great on a resume for Data jobs compared to having the emphasis/concentration.
Part of my confusion is that I get bored with fields/subjects. So while I'm currently feeling up to studying Data Analytics for a year, and working in the field, I feel like in the future I also want the option to work non-Data IT jobs that pay less and are less stressful, more predictable, etc? What I mean is I wonder if the WGU degree would be bad for me later because of the WGU degree being so specialized. (Due to my health, I will likely need a lot of my future work to be freelance/flexible and/or remote and I had read a post by someone in the Data field who said their job had short deadlines, overtime, and always new problems. But I guess there are plenty of jobs not like that one.)
I know that things like internship / completed projects will matter a lot too, but I hope to hear input on the degree choice. (I feel like most schools will have some built-in project, and one said you create a whole portfolio, but some don't and I might need that to show prospective employers.)
Also, would my undergrad not really matter once I had one of these Masters? Because I've finished the BACS credits at TESU but I'm starting to think of not graduating with it (so I can do something else that is basically a bucket list item). OTOH, I can't imagine not having one degree with "Computer Science" in the name after working toward that for so long now, but I already have my other major slot filled at TESU and they won't allow a third.
Edit: Found another MS Data Analytics which says you can complete in 12 months. Not self-paced. Haven't found a CS program which is fast and has a curriculum I like.
The IT degree seems easier but not by a lot, and the courses seem less interesting. I haven't found a CS degree that is quicker yet, but I assume one is out there which I could do in 12 months or less. I don't think I am willing to do one that takes longer because I would just do WGU or PurdueG instead. I would probably do CS at a state school. CS degrees tend to have some required courses that I dislike, but I think that some have a decent curriculum especially if they offer a Data Analytics concentration.
I'm a little less interested in WGU (compared to the other schools because of their marketing), but it seems like some employers might be impressed with the degree being so focused. I feel like it looks great on a resume for Data jobs compared to having the emphasis/concentration.
Part of my confusion is that I get bored with fields/subjects. So while I'm currently feeling up to studying Data Analytics for a year, and working in the field, I feel like in the future I also want the option to work non-Data IT jobs that pay less and are less stressful, more predictable, etc? What I mean is I wonder if the WGU degree would be bad for me later because of the WGU degree being so specialized. (Due to my health, I will likely need a lot of my future work to be freelance/flexible and/or remote and I had read a post by someone in the Data field who said their job had short deadlines, overtime, and always new problems. But I guess there are plenty of jobs not like that one.)
I know that things like internship / completed projects will matter a lot too, but I hope to hear input on the degree choice. (I feel like most schools will have some built-in project, and one said you create a whole portfolio, but some don't and I might need that to show prospective employers.)
Also, would my undergrad not really matter once I had one of these Masters? Because I've finished the BACS credits at TESU but I'm starting to think of not graduating with it (so I can do something else that is basically a bucket list item). OTOH, I can't imagine not having one degree with "Computer Science" in the name after working toward that for so long now, but I already have my other major slot filled at TESU and they won't allow a third.
Edit: Found another MS Data Analytics which says you can complete in 12 months. Not self-paced. Haven't found a CS program which is fast and has a curriculum I like.