Degree choices. BA Supply chain management vs BLS with an MIS minor

[Schlafen]

Hey I would like to hear your guys thoughts on the BLS degree with a minor in management information systems. Of course how employable something is depends on other factors as well. But in general how is such a degree viewed? Would it make sense to take specific electives to quote on quote "build" a major? I thought about focusing my electives in a particular area such as IT (Through sites like sophia,study.com) and also math / some science courses to get all the basics covered for technology related jobs. Or do employers not really care about what courses I take and I should do it out of pure interest?

If UMPI had an IT degree I would take in a heartbeat. Not too fond of the pure business degrees (Especially something like accounting) I still think UMPI is the best option for me. I am also not American so options like WGU are out of the question.

[davewill]

My personal take is that it will put you ahead of people who have no degree, but behind people who have the more traditional BSBA in MIS or BS in IT. If you have lots of experience and just need to check the bachelor's degree box, then that's probably OK, but if you're trying to break in, not so good.

You can take specific courses and note them on your resume, but the problem is those probably won't help you get through the automated screening that HR does, especially at larger companies.

[Schlafen]

My personal take is that it will put you ahead of people who have no degree, but behind people who have the more traditional BSBA in MIS or BS in IT. If you have lots of experience and just need to check the bachelor's degree box, then that's probably OK, but if you're trying to break in, not so good.

You can take specific courses and note them on your resume, but the problem is those probably won't help you get through the automated screening that HR does, especially at larger companies.

What do you think about supplementing the degree with certificates and projects? I suppose that makes things easier. I see you have some things listed in your signature. Of course a masters is always possible but that is another realm entirely

[davewill]

What do you think about supplementing the degree with certificates and projects? I suppose that makes things easier. I see you have some things listed in your signature. Of course a masters is always possible but that is another realm entirely

In my opinion, it's the same problem. Once your resume is in front of a hiring manager, then they will see all that, but when HR is just using their computer system to filter candidates, you might get overlooked because the first filter was Bachelor's in IT or CS. Once you have experience, then that becomes the most important factor, and the exact degree will matter much less.

[Schlafen]

What do you think about supplementing the degree with certificates and projects? I suppose that makes things easier. I see you have some things listed in your signature. Of course a masters is always possible but that is another realm entirely

In my opinion, it's the same problem. Once your resume is in front of a hiring manager, then they will see all that, but when HR is just using their computer system to filter candidates, you might get overlooked because the first filter was Bachelor's in IT or CS. Once you have experience, then that becomes the most important factor, and the exact degree will matter much less.

I think I will think things through then and maybe think about a degree from TESU as well. (As far as I know they admit international students) But if I go with the BLS I will probably prepare going for some kind of graduate degree afterwards (More education cant hurt) That could fix the automation screening issues for my resume and If I find a subfield I like I can specialize further. TESU might be a bit tougher with transferring classes in if the major has specific requirements so if it comes at a significant time cost I will do UMPI.

[ss20ts]

Hey I would like to hear your guys thoughts on the BLS degree with a minor in management information systems. Of course how employable something is depends on other factors as well. But in general how is such a degree viewed? Would it make sense to take specific electives to quote on quote "build" a major? I thought about focusing my electives in a particular area such as IT (Through sites like sophia,study.com) and also math / some science courses to get all the basics covered for technology related jobs. Or do employers not really care about what courses I take and I should do it out of pure interest?

If UMPI had an IT degree I would take in a heartbeat. Not too fond of the pure business degrees (Especially something like accounting) I still think UMPI is the best option for me. I am also not American so options like WGU are out of the question.

If you have experience in IT and just need a degree to check the box for a job application, this degree will do that. However, if you don't have any experience in IT, this degree will NOT prepare you for IT. You will not learn a programming language. I say this is as someone who completed this degree.

[davewill]

I think I will think things through then and maybe think about a degree from TESU as well. (As far as I know they admit international students) But if I go with the BLS I will probably prepare going for some kind of graduate degree afterwards (More education cant hurt) That could fix the automation screening issues for my resume and If I find a subfield I like I can specialize further. TESU might be a bit tougher with transferring classes in if the major has specific requirements so if it comes at a significant time cost I will do UMPI.

Actually, TESU is quite good when it comes to making use of transfer courses. Their degrees usually have a good number of electives, both free and GenEd. They are also generous with accepting GenEd and Area of Study courses. That's why many people are able to complete their degrees taking only the required cornerstone and capstone courses from TESU.

[Schlafen]

Decided that I will go with the UMPI BLS degree for now and take the electives that I think are valuable. I also considered the cost and UMPI seems to offer the flat rate tuition which seems much more appealing to me. But thanks for the heads up about potential prospects. I will likely pursue a graduate degree online or in person for which I will take the adequate coursework in the electives I have. I think people need to be realistic with their degree choices at the end of the day and what awaits them afterwards.

I still have a lot of time to complete my education so for now I will just go with the option that fits my circumstances the best and then after I got my first degree I will look into further education and also the opportunity for some internships.

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https://online.york.ac.uk/study-online/m...ce-online/ I was thinking about something like this or another MS CS that is offered online (Provided I meet the prereqs of other masters degrees)

[Schlafen]

I am contemplating a little about my degree choices, I want to obviously pay attention to employability. I am 100% my choice is going to be UMPI for my undergrad. I am also not opposed to graduate degrees such as MSc Computer Science Online - University of York or other CS masters.

Would it be much wiser to big the BA in business administration concentrating in supply chain management over the BLS degree with a minor in management information systems. I would use all my free elective courses in the BLS degree for math and CS / IT courses.

On one hand I hear that people do not care as much about degrees anymore but on the other some say it matters a lot what you major in (Even when it is not a professional degree) 

Online Business Administration - Supply Chain Management at UMPI

Online Management Information Systems bachelors program at UMPI

The degrees I am talking about. Should I just go with the degree I am most comfortable with? I know nobody can ultimately make that decision for me but input from people with more life experience is always welcomed. The time it takes to complete is a factor for me as well.

[dfrecore]

It REALLY depends on what your career is, and where you are in it. If you want to work in business, then a BABA is better. If you want to work in Supply Chain, then you should get that minor/concentration. If you aren't looking at jobs where they might want a business degree specifically, then it doesn't matter as much. If you're 10 years into a solid career in business, then it won't matter much. If you're just getting started, then it matters more, and you should choose the degree that will be asked for in job searches.