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Completing a part-time Master's in computer science while working

alexanderell.is

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Re: Completing a part-time Master's in computer science while working

#21

Post by yitianjian »

anduru_h wrote: post #8
seibelj wrote: post #6

I did this at Boston University (night school at MET) over 4 years. 10 total classes, they do 3 semesters a year, and I took 2 semesters off. Overall I liked it, solid program, assisted me later when the credential helped validate me to hiring managers and then later to investors. It also forced me to study deeper and become much more serious about the foundational knowledge. The most hilarious part to me was that I…

I was under the impression that the masters classes were designed to be a cash cow for institutions!

Full time masters especially with international students are definitely cash cows

Re: Completing a part-time Master's in computer science while working

#22

Post by mbil »

sdave wrote: post #16

Completed OMSCS in Fall 2020 - while working in a startup & raising young kid. Was brutal, but worth it! Thanks to Georgia Tech. for creating this program!! Program link: https://omscs.gatech.edu

Congrats on graduating -- I can't imagine doing OMSCS on top of working full time and raising a kid! I completed the program last month, and I wrote about the experience here[0] for anyone interested.

[0]: https://tinyurl.com/7b537ccn

Re: Completing a part-time Master's in computer science while working

#23

Post by shepherdjerred »

tumblewit wrote: post #19
sdave wrote: post #16

Completed OMSCS in Fall 2020 - while working in a startup & raising young kid. Was brutal, but worth it! Thanks to Georgia Tech. for creating this program!! Program link: https://omscs.gatech.edu

OMSCS alumni here. Can’t believe more people don’t know about it!

Did it feel worthwhile? Did you learn as much as you'd expected to?

Re: Completing a part-time Master's in computer science while working

#24

Post by rpunkfu »

joeframbach wrote: post #18

I couldn't do it. From 2008 to 2011, I was 3 credits and half a thesis paper short, had to quit for my health. I had lost too much weight, down to 150 lbs at 6'3", I was falling asleep at work and not meeting expectations. It was horrendous. Props to anyone who can make it work. And to those who were bailed out by the Bank of Mom and Dad, a big fuck you.

Wouldn't you as a parent want to help your children avoid things you experienced?

I think you always want your children to go through less hassle than yourself?

I personally believe that guiding children through struggles we experienced is not a good idea of parenting.

Disclaimer: I didn't finish college as well, for same reasons as you.

Edit: I've realized my comment might've sounded like a critique of your parenting methods or anyone else's. That wasn't my intention, just that I know that it's hard to realize those things sometimes, especially if you're not a parent. I've always seen making life easier for your children as a bad thing, now I see this as the most important thing to do in life. It gets bad when you could move it further, helping people around making their life easier, but you don't - essentially making sure money "stays in family".. Again only my 2c.

Re: Completing a part-time Master's in computer science while working

#25

Post by danrocks »

shepherdjerred wrote: post #23
tumblewit wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OMSCS alumni here. Can’t believe more people don’t know about it!

Did it feel worthwhile? Did you learn as much as you'd expected to?

Not the person you asked, but I've done the same. The answer: you have to choose the classes well. If you go with some easy classes for credit, you will be disappointed. If you decide to really do the program, then there are at least 15-20 classes worth taking. Some are really theoretical (ML), others are practical (Big Data for Health, lots of Spark and Scala), and some in between. To be the best class was AI, which deals with classical AI algorithms (minimax, tree search, etc.) - well designed class with some lessons by Peter Norvig.

All in all, I know it's not the exact same program taught live (although they say it is), but the classes are available online are good quality, I learned a lot, and at $841 per class, the price is unbeatable.

Downsides: I have a job and a kid. The workload for some of these classes is massive, so weekends (at least full Saturday) is gone for the duration of the semester, if you study at night every day - then Sundays are yours. Except for the ML class; that was pretty fucking insane and incidentally, the class where I feel I learned the least so far.

Re: Completing a part-time Master's in computer science while working

#26

Post by weakfish »

joeframbach wrote: post #18

I couldn't do it. From 2008 to 2011, I was 3 credits and half a thesis paper short, had to quit for my health. I had lost too much weight, down to 150 lbs at 6'3", I was falling asleep at work and not meeting expectations. It was horrendous. Props to anyone who can make it work. And to those who were bailed out by the Bank of Mom and Dad, a big fuck you.

Is the last part really necessary?

Re: Completing a part-time Master's in computer science while working

#27

Post by danrocks »

notreallyserio wrote: post #7
somewhat_drunk wrote: post #5

I'm doing this now, but with OMSCS. One class at a time is all I can manage. The program is rigorous.

I've been thinking about doing this, too. Would you say it is interesting and a lot of work or just a lot of work?

Some courses are trash: Computer Networks, Knowledge Based AI, Databases, System Design.

Others are amazing: Big Data for Health, AI, Compilers, Deep Learning, Operating Systems, Computer Architecture.

All in all, for the price (and the right classes) it's a steal. Another thing to note is that courses are mostly run by TAs - professor availability/involvement is rare.

Re: Completing a part-time Master's in computer science while working

#28

Post by Mike_Jordan »

sdave wrote: post #16

Completed OMSCS in Fall 2020 - while working in a startup & raising young kid. Was brutal, but worth it! Thanks to Georgia Tech. for creating this program!! Program link: https://omscs.gatech.edu

Kudos to you! Are you aware of any other masters which isn't as brutal as OMSCS, honestly I am thinking from my capacity and capability.

Re: Completing a part-time Master's in computer science while working

#29

Post by davejitsu »

joeframbach wrote: post #18

I couldn't do it. From 2008 to 2011, I was 3 credits and half a thesis paper short, had to quit for my health. I had lost too much weight, down to 150 lbs at 6'3", I was falling asleep at work and not meeting expectations. It was horrendous. Props to anyone who can make it work. And to those who were bailed out by the Bank of Mom and Dad, a big fuck you.

No post body was provided.

Re: Completing a part-time Master's in computer science while working

#30

Post by rpunkfu »

davejitsu wrote: post #29
joeframbach wrote: post #18

I couldn't do it. From 2008 to 2011, I was 3 credits and half a thesis paper short, had to quit for my health. I had lost too much weight, down to 150 lbs at 6'3", I was falling asleep at work and not meeting expectations. It was horrendous. Props to anyone who can make it work. And to those who were bailed out by the Bank of Mom and Dad, a big fuck you.

Quoted post unavailable.

Not going to college is not your failure, that's what world tells most of us, but that's complete bullshit.
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