Question

I am a computer science major, do you recommend graduate school?

Answer 1

It depends on what you want to do.

If you just want to be a programmer the most important thing in determining your success is your programming skills. The best way to improve your programming skills is by doing. So if you were that type of person I would not recommend graduate school, just get into industry asap.

If you want a job as a professor or information technology consultant or something then this is where graduate school may be a better route to take.

Thats just my 2 cents at least :)

Answer 2

I think you should talk to someone who was in your position and then made a choice and what came of it, oh and dont forget the medal

Answer 3

thank you mwmnj

Answer 4

I had the same question... My professor and advisors told me all different things.. It really depends on 1.How good you are 2. What part of the field you want to be in and 3.How much money you want to make Oh and how nice you want you resume to look :)

Answer 5

In the US many colleges and companies offer masters degrees that can and are earned while on the job. In many cases, corporations form partnerships with universities and pay to have their employees go to school one day a week, or at night. Like mwmnj said, these are typically for programming, and the degree is sort of a rite of passage that turns a junior or mid level dev into a senior dev at the company.
If that option is available to you, there is no reason not to do that. It's what most people do.
If you go for a PhD, which is what I want to do, you will not be a "software engineer" anymore; you will be a "computer scientist". This pays more, obviously, but it becomes very difficult to get a job in industry. Only a few companies, Google and Intel notable among them, will pay anything extra for a PhD. Many who graduate with PhDs do not end up doing anything they couldn't have done without the degree. After all, to be a professor, you need students to teach! CS is hardly the most popular major at universities. This is why, when I choose a PhD program for myself, it needs to be one of the very best, so that I'm much more assured of a position.