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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

#102

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure, have look at my reply above and as a general note perhaps here: https://www.zfh.de/ https://www.fernuni-hagen.de/mi/studium/index.shtml Sorry, both websites apparently just in German.

Do universities in Germany offer MS only in German language? I am looking for online masters in English.

I guess most do, but you might have a look here:

https://www.mygermanuniversity.com/studyfinder?p=1&pp=25&sor...

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

#103
post #59

I'm currently in a Master program (data science: maths, maths, maths and maths, oh and maths). I'm almost 50 years old. I was very happy to read that article because it doesn't mention a little detail : age. The sort of effort the author has done is really something he should be proud of, but at 29 your brain is still quite up to to the task. At almost 50 (+kids, +family to keep care of (even if family is incredibly…

> Your brain has slowed down by a factor of at least 2 I've made it into a mantra to never accept this kind of sentiment (even if it were to be scientifically proven some day). It's dangerous and only serves to undermine motivation. Sure there is an overrepresentation of old people who are tired., but that doesn't mean you have to be.

> Your brain has slowed down by a factor of at least 2

This is only if you let it. The human brain has something called neuroplasticity. If you exercise your brain, regularly and with variety, you can slow/prevent a degradation of neuroplasticity. Some example activities include doing coding in new programming language, learning a new spoken language, doing sudoku and other puzzles, doing painting if you are right brain dominant (or logic puzzles if left brain dominant).

The OP's statement also is one of the key reasons touted for ageism within our industry, and ageism is a major problem. The benefit of vast experience drastically outweighs the minor (or no) degradation in neuroplasticity if they've kept their brain active.

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

#105

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sure, have look at my reply above and as a general note perhaps here: https://www.zfh.de/ https://www.fernuni-hagen.de/mi/studium/index.shtml Sorry, both websites apparently just in German.

Do universities in Germany offer MS only in German language? I am looking for online masters in English.

The UK has an Open University, which is quite renowned in the world of distance-learning universities.

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

#106

My wife is doing a CS master's, after having done another master's during the lockdown. I'm looking over her shoulder, as I did with my brother a few years ago. It's been interesting to see how she thinks about algorithms and coding from a fresh start. As a longtime coder I've found it interesting to dive back into some basic algorithms. Something about how it is taught to students makes it harder than just learning…

> For those interested there's a number of UK universities that offer a remote master's. Would you say it is worth pursuing Masters from the UK university? If you dont mind which university would you consider worth it?

Depends a bit on your background. It's pretty convenient for me to just have the course available to look at, and since I've been coding for many years it's not terribly time consuming to fill in the gaps.

For someone who's never done anything technical it's quite a leap, but not impossible. I can see she's increasing in confidence from learning this type of stuff, which is really positive.

If you're doing it to get a job, then it does seem likely that a CS master's will get you some interviews. Certainly the content is what you'd expect. It's a red brick (certain unis that were established I think in the 1800s?) she's studying at, so pretty good rep but not Oxbridge, which has its own aura. But worthwhile for sure, people won't look down on a red brick.

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

#107

Congratulations, well done! Did that a few years ago, started when I was 47, completed with 50. Was easier for me. Distance Learning University in Germany. And I had the opportunity to do it at work. One could call it a side project. Since about two years I try my hand at a bachelor in mathematics at another Distance Learning University in Germany. Guess I will pull that stunt around 2025.

> Since about two years

For about two years. 'Since' is not the same as 'seit' here.

(When I learned German native speakers would constantly correct me for using 'für' when I should have used 'seit' so I am repaying the favour)

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

#108
post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> slowed down by a factor of at least 2 How do you even quantify that?

By watching student's 25 years younger passing exams without actually studying them (if I'd do that, I'd bascally failed; I've tested that approach :-))

Not to minimize your own feelings/experience, but I wonder too if younger students are just so much more exposed to the technology that you were being taught that they only needed to learn half the 'net new' information you did.

For example, I went to school for a video game programming/design B.Sc. First couple of years were super basic programming to get non-programmers up to level, so to any of us who programmed since gradeschool it meant no studying/effort for a year while we breezed through simple loops/conditionals/Java stuff.

Obviously, things cranked up a notch when we finally got to new material.

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

#109

I’ve done this. It was really hard. Also the best thing I’ve ever done. I had to be very ruthless with my main job. Working strictly 9-5. This really annoyed my boss and I almost got fired, but I just powered through and held my ground. I had to work every evening for about 3 hours. I developed the habit of working even when very tired. Turns out you can do calculus even when exhausted. I had to be very disciplined i…

Almost fired for working "strictly" 9-5. Oh well..

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

#110

Congratulations, well done! Did that a few years ago, started when I was 47, completed with 50. Was easier for me. Distance Learning University in Germany. And I had the opportunity to do it at work. One could call it a side project. Since about two years I try my hand at a bachelor in mathematics at another Distance Learning University in Germany. Guess I will pull that stunt around 2025.

> Since about two years For about two years. 'Since' is not the same as 'seit' here. (When I learned German native speakers would constantly correct me for using 'für' when I should have used 'seit' so I am repaying the favour)

Which is great by me, because most native English speaker I met didn't bothered to do me that favour.

How else can one improve and pay respect to a foreign language?

On the other hand, if they did, it would have been a lot of work.

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