WGU | Next degree - MS or MBA?

[@analyzethislexi]

I think a MBA makes the most sense. I think in terms of what is on your resume, your IT experience and degree in Cyber already ensures any employer that you are an experience professional in that area. But I think an MBA compliments what you already have by expanding your functional skills with leadership and business skills. Because of this, I think a business degree couples very nicely with an IT degree.

[@paulkirklandii]

Literally planned on doing the MBA as well once I'm finished with the BSCSIA. The MBA gets my vote. Better HR filter. And more universal degree and could bring more BROAD opportunity rather than SPECIFIC opportunity. Can't go wrong with either. -Just my two cents..

[@jessebanana3492]

I have a little bit of a contrarian opinion. I have a BS and MS in computer science, and at least for me the MS was not doing more of the same. It was a chance to specialize in an area, read more research papers and apply the knowledge from those papers, and complete an original capstone project over several months. When I did my MS, there was a specialization in security and cryptography, so that could be something for you to look into. Another thing is I’ve worked in management positions in tech companies without a business degree, so it’s definitely not required. My advice would be getting a masters degree is definitely great for a technology career in terms of salary and what level you can get hired at. I’d go with the degree you find the most interesting and will enjoy doing, not push through in misery just to get it done. Thanks again for sharing your story. It’s been awesome watching you crush the BS in 2 months.

[@hugocast]

I think MBA gives you more options, but a lot of the value of doing an MBA at a traditional school is the networking and exchange of ideas between students. If you can get your networking in industry through other means, I'd say go for it. It comes down to what you want to do career-wise. Personally, I am semi-retired, I have a business that takes me ~10 hours a week to run, so I just started the BSCS degree at WGU because I find the subject matter fun. I already have a STEM degree and 11 years of experience, so for me it's more of a personal growth goal to get a CS degree and learn more about the data analytics and data science side of things.

[@ai5763]

I also agree with you Cameron, the MBA would open up so many more doors if you decide to change your career trajectory! down the line. Anyone with your credentials, now and after the MBA, will be primed to grab any job you'd like. I had my mind set on a dual Masters & MBA program a while back but transitioned into Cybersecurity and haven't looked back. Having the knowledgebase from an BSBC in Business Administration was challenging but worth it; the Master's monster would be an enitrely different thing but you should be fine nonetheless. Definitely rooting for you and it sounds like the strategy you've laid out is a green bean - Best of Luck and Success!!

[@joshxjosh891]

Keep pushing man you’re an inspiration to all of us. 💪🏼

[@CameronEvolved]

Thanks!

[@nonickels9449]

Yeah, I'm finishing the BSIT/MSITM degree and when deciding what's next, I considered the CEH is losing a lot of value and an MBA would position me for more things outside of just cybersecurity. Great video!

[@jeftom99]

Yup MBA is the correct choice. You already have the technical chops.

[@mixmax6027]

A friend of mine pointed out that an MBA works well with certs. You show you have experience through the certs and business through the degree, both through past experience.

[@inovsign]

I am in a similar situation, have earned my BSIT from WGU. However, once you get an MBA from e.g. WGU, you are blocked from getting a "better" MBA from a different school later. My thought process is, to either get the MS, from WGU, just to have the MS for a checkbox for $4k, as I am confident I can finish in one term, with a sponsored MBA later in the stars. Or go for an MBA from a different online school, which will cost more and take longer, but at least the reputation of the MBA will be higher / neutral. It worries me that all those YT, TikTok, and Reddit posts about 2-3 month speed runs at WGU will cause the reputation of WGU degrees to take a dive, despite being regionally accredited (still).

[@janets.2918]

Sounds like a great education path for you. I can see the wisdom in choosing the easier Masters, but since your goal it to climb to a director position, I think the MBA is a good choice. The Masters in Computer Science would definitely be frosting on the cake. Just as a heads up...those MBA finance classes can be crazy hard. Brace yourself! But I know you have the discipline to do it.

[@Chesu360]

I think that generally people tend to wave the "nice to haves" if they find you to be a strong candidate for the position. An organization with a vacant position being filled from within probably weighs preferably years of experience and the value you have brought. A person coming from outside would have to prove and convince management how good a fit they are for the company and how they can fix or better the organization. During the video you mentioned that you have experience working with different companies, small and medium sized, so I can see why you would prefer the business degree over stem, because you would be coming from outside the organization. You did throw a curve ball with the Master of Science degree at the end, I think at that point you might as well create your own school or create a business haha

[@DGPHolyHandgrenade]

I'm tossed up on which one to get. I'm kinda leaning on "why not both?" I will make that determination when I get there. The MSCSIA I can see being beneficial as in my job hunt recently I found a few really good jobs that wanted a MS degree vs a BS. So, for my goals which is more engineering based, not management based, I think I would benefit more from the MSCSIA degree. The MBAITM seems like, at least for me in my situation, would be a nice to have and may open some doors that I may want opened at some point.

[@superplusextra9634]

I have the similar thought process, so I'm going for the WGU Computer science later in M.S Data Analytics. I'm leaning toward the career path of software engineer, as I'm currently have experience in help desk and networking(honestly, the burnout is real and trying to get away from). I actually got some insight from Josh Madakor. He made a video of my question called "Do You REALLY Need a Master's Degree in Tech? (WGU Edition)".

[@CameronEvolved]

Josh Madakor is a great resource to learn more about WGU. His videos helped me a lot when I was trying to decide if WGU was right for me.

[@JohnJohn-sf1df]

I just finished the MSCSIA in 45 days. Will get the MBA-ITM in 2024. Shooting for 1 term.

[@richmoneycash1]

Wow. Help me lol

[@MonaCodeLisa]

Cool video thank you for sharing :) I noticed that on your WGU diploma - your first name is in Blackletter font, while your last name is in more of a regular serif font... You probably noticed it too, I have experience in graphic design so I saw it right away, it's just interesting... You can say that it makes it more unique :)

[@CameronEvolved]

Oh yeah. That was me. I just did that to hide my last name. 😂

[@MonaCodeLisa]

@@CameronEvolved ohhhh, I get it, great job in that case 👍 often people go for the good old blur but I like your idea better, and I am really glad to hear that 😊

[@ace589]

I think you're right about the mscsia. The target is clearly those without an undergrad in cyber security. With the growing need for cyber security professionals, there are way more potential students who already have ugrad in other disciplines. I found the same for Masters in software engineering programs. They all targeted computer science students who had older degrees and wanted to brush up. There is value in that but type of program for that type of student. But I think academic centered degrees carry more weight. In other words, masters programs in tech/eng should be advanced programs with research intro/prep.

[@micalane]

I did my MBA in 10 days. I need to make videos on the courses but haven’t yet.

[@CameronEvolved]

Damn. That was fast! Congrats! 🎉

[@icecold__]

I always thought it's best to go for the MBA ITM and if you want you can just leave the MBA part off if you care to. I'm leaning towards the MSDA personally, if not I'd go for the MBA ITM as well, partly since my undergrad is in accounting. I was first interested in the MSCSIA but I have no interest in getting the CEH. If I were you, I'd pregame the accounting or finance course since those are the hardest most likely. They were the hardest in the base business classes for the undergrad degree.

[@stefanblack-walker5016]

It sounds like the MBA is a better bet mainly, because you already have CISSP. The Cybersecurity master's doesn't seem as versatile then for your background. You'd probably be able to study for the CEH and CHFI and pass them on your own if you really wanted them. My path is almost the reverse of yours. I'm actually going for first the Cybersecurity bachelor's program and then the Cybersecurity master's program at WGU even though I already have a BS of Science in Management Information Systems (MIS) which surprisingly is a business degree with a heavy focus on IT. So I took marketing, economics, finance, and accounting classes in my undergrad. I don't have have any certs, but I do have infosec experience from both the military and civilian careers which is why I am going to do both the bachelors and masters for the full stretch to obtain them. I'm hoping that the Master's will help prep me for the CISSP as well.

[@KeepKuul]

I'm about to get some IT certifications that are applicable to the BS Cloud Computing Azure at WGU. Since my background is finance, I will most likely also shoot for an MBA at WGU after that. Planning on doing this within the next 2 years.

[@kisha-maries9016]

When I was working at a college, several staff advised me that if my undergrad was business, my graduate should be specialized and vice versa. It sounds like you're doing just that. BTW, I didn't listen because I'm doing the accelerated BSIT to MSIT but I'm okay with it!

[@Sol-Amar]

Do you have professional or career experience in IT prior to enrolling in WGU's IT degree?

[@kisha-maries9016]

@@Sol-Amar yes

[@nomadicgoddess3648]

I'm doing my bachelor in finance and I'm planning on getting my MBA after that next year and then work on my MS data analytics. I would love to have both masters degrees I think it will help.

[@mablerice3581]

Hey Cameron love your content...I just started my BSCSIA degree journey what's the best way to retain info for beginners in Tech

[@stevennunez2234]

I obtained a MS ITM from wgu in 36 days, keep in mind that would be my third masters degree (im 23 years old), either masters would be fine :)

[@ultravioletiris6241]

MBA looks like a better program. If you really wanted to take a masters in cybersecurity, i would suggest pivoting to a better program than the one at WGU. But after explaining your goals , MBA-IT Management looks more aligned. Edit: it is pretty cool that you can knock out the Cyber degree in 6 courses. This seems like a good option for someone who is rushing for the paper in order to qualify for a larger goal-for example a high-level internship or a PhD.

[@AppliedConsistencyCYBER]

Ill be doing the MSCSIA because I have 5 transfer classes then getting an MBA with my GI bill from Penn State.

[@organisedme]

smart move bro!

[@daniellearmstrong9084]

You’ve convinced me! I was planning on going for the MS once I finish my BS but now I’m rethinking that. I was personally going for my MS in cybersecurity because I have no experience in the field and thought it would help me get my foot in the door. What do you think?

[@CameronEvolved]

It depends. What is your BS in? If you have some IT experience, then getting a MS in cybersecurity could help.

[@daniellearmstrong9084]

@@CameronEvolved I’m doing the cybersecurity and information assurance degree. I have absolutely NO experience in the IT field.

[@CameronEvolved]

@@daniellearmstrong9084 I don't want to talk you out of getting a masters degree, but with no experience, I don't think it's going to help. Cybersecurity is a specialized role within IT and there's a lot of fundamental IT knowledge and experience you need before trying to get into cybersecurity. Your BS degree will help you to land your first IT role.

[@daniellearmstrong9084]

@@CameronEvolved Thank you. I value your input.

[@93ksj]

if the material is almost the same might as well get both lol

[@landonp629]

Why did they make you wait from March to August to go back to school?

[@The18527]

Why not get both? But if I were to get one, I would get the MS unless there's a specific HR filter that required the MBA. I would save the MBA for when you're later on in your career and you can have your company pay for an M7 degree because the ROI is infinitely more useful

[@The18527]

MBAs, besides passing the HR filter, are more useful when you actually have a cohort to network with rather than the do-at-your-own-pace WGU offers

[@craigspencer4306]

Chris haroun course on udemy helped with the hard part of finance degree, which is the financial analysis and valution. Introduction to Finance, Accounting, Modeling and Valuation Learn Finance & Accounting from Scratch by an Award Winning MBA Professor, Ivy Grad, worked @ Goldman & VC

[@mikeomalleymike]

They don't let you do it in one term

[@_bass3xe838]

They’ve come out with a Software Engineering degree for BS

[@MinisterRedPill]

I'm doing computer science, and thought about getting the MS in cybersecurity. But not sure if it's any good.

[@faleks450]

I'm currently going to WGU for the BSDMDA, I'm thinking when I'm done I will get a Master's. But I was more headed towards the MBA or MBA IT (instead of MSDA). I am trying to decide, does an MBA IT hold me back from potential roles that are not directly IT related, would the MBA IT show that I can only focus on the IT side of business? I'm not sure, but I feel like the fact that I will already have a BS in an IT field shows that background, and the MBA (regular) will give me the business leadership side. Not sure if I'm getting my point across, but so far I'm leaning more towards the regular MBA.

[@aglow9267]

Hi . How are you I love your page. I always share with friends and family. I really need your advice. I am enrolled at Wgu but my start date is July 1st . I am enrolled in the cybersecurity masters program there. For the past few days I have been strongly considering changing my major to MBA in IT management and just doing the certs in cybersecurity on my own. Do you think this would be better for me to secure a higher paying entry level job? I don’t have any experience or certs yet and my undergrad degree is in forensic psychology. All I have is 2 masters level courses I completed in cybersecurity policy and management from UMGC. What would you do if you were me?

[@WhosUrPapi]

What do you recommend I use to study for a BS in cyber security? I was going to a community college and completed the pre req for my chemical engineering degree. However, I do not want to go to a traditional brick and mortar i want to go to WGU for cyber security and the fact it’s self paced. Any information would be greatly appreciated as far as a non IT guy going into the BS in cybersecurity and insurance.

[@kwamena7720]

Hey men how can I dm you