MSc Computing

[toobin]

I'm not too sure if this is the right forim but here goes anyway.

I'm really just looking for a bit of advice on the above topic.

Not having a technical degree or background I have been toying more and more with the idea of retraining into IT :type: with the intent of moving quickly into a Project Management or Business Analyst role.

Having searched the internet intensely for courses and options I keep coming across an MSc in Computing :read: which seems to offer the business and technical know how I’m looking for. However the course is only a year full time or two part time and it makes me wonder if it will be too in depth for someone with no technical background.

Can anyone on here offer me any advice? Has anyone made this move before or studied the above course:teacher:? Will it help me reach my end goal?

I would really welcome any advice as I am at a bit of a crossroads and don’t really want to throw away a great career for something that will have no impact.

[thunderstruck]

I have an MSc in Computing. I did it in a year after doing my BSc in Chemistry. It certainly gives you a thorough overview of the subject and will help you if you move into that line of work (I have been doing IT consultancy/business analysis since leaving uni 6 years ago). Email me if you want to ask anything more specific. Good luck!

[john_p]

What does a business analyst actually do??

[Don]

Is this a "conversion" Masters? They are different to MSc courses one does after a BSc in the same subject.

IIRC the conversion courses cover much of what a first degree course would in double quick time. Very, very hard work. Should kick start you into a career, though...just remember having qualified you will *still* be viewed as useless until you have experience. Some MScs introduce you to employers during the course and I cannot recommend this highly enough. Almost any level of experience gained during the course will help you vs the guys who were all theory...

[Don]

john_p said:

What does a business analyst actually do??

Analyse and document business processes, identify inefficiencies, identify opportunities for automation or further opportunities for automation and document them. Participate in solution design and often spearhead roll-out of software solutions.

Enough for you?

[john_p]

Don said:

john_p said: What does a business analyst actually do?? Analyse and document business processes, identify inefficiencies, identify opportunities for automation or further opportunities for automation and document them. Participate in solution design and often spearhead roll-out of software solutions. Enough for you?

Sure. How do you get into that field? (I have the MSc - sorta - already)

[Plotloss]

john_p said:

What does a business analyst actually do??

Takes a business process, entirely over complicates matters with all manner of diagrams and documentation and then gets hurt when you tell them it took two lines of code to change the process.



As for the MSc, dont think it will add much value to be honest...

[JonRB]

An MSc is an excellent way of getting CVs in front of employers / clients and is also very useful for strengthening a weak degree and/or a degree that isn't strictly relevant to your career.

For example, I have a BSc Physics (ie. not an honours degree) but this has never been a problem in my IT career because I have an MSc in Software Engineering.

Of course these days it is less relevant as I also have 11 years commercial experience, but when I was starting out in my career the MSc really opened doors, especially since we were coming out of the 1993 recession at the time.



>> Edited by JonRB on Monday 10th October 13:55

[Don]

john_p said:

Sure. How do you get into that field? (I have the MSc - sorta - already)

Generally by having worked up through the ranks or by having a specific qualification in it.

My first job was as a Programmer then I did some Business Analysis coupled with Programming and got called an Analyst Programmer. Then when coding was so little of my job I got called an Analyst.

All this long before I started out on my own and became Director of Anything Required.

[john_p]

I guess, within the IT field, it's kind of what I do already in my own business (coupled within a technical architect / programming role). Can you give a few examples of "processes" just to check I'm on the right lines?

Perhaps if I can tailor a CV around it it's something I could do contracting in ..

[M@H]

toobin said:

Not having a technical degree or background I have been toying more and more with the idea of retraining into IT with the intent of moving quickly into a Project Management or Business Analyst role.

Hmmmm.. well I'm an IT Project Manager (8 years) and I have a degree in Biology, no technical IT qualifications whatsoever. I do however keep up with professional qualifications and you'll struggle to get a good PM contract without Prince2 these days.

If you want to move swiftly into project management (without the "traditional" coding/DBA route first), get into a Project Office, or junior PM role and see where it takes you. My current contract I am working with Oracle and pick up what I need on the job. Some time ago I was working in Financial Serives with web technologies and also previously doing work in Aerospace on PLM systems and you simply won't find a Technical IT qualification that gives you the experience you need to kick off into Project Management IMO (unless there are some wierd "cherry-pick" courses about).

You'd be better off finding a Management Qualification of some description and learning the communication and organisation skills you need or just getting yourself into the right working environment to climb the ladder.

Cheers,
Matt.

(IMHO as usual)

>> Edited by M@H on Monday 10th October 14:54

[Don]

john_p said:

Can you give a few examples of "processes" just to check I'm on the right lines?

Sales,
Invoicing,
Account Management,
Support,
Time and Effort Collection (Timesheets),
Expenses,

are all obvious examples. Most of the common ones are very well supported by a market of Software Applications that can be bought to automate them. There are still unique processes in business that require automation, though...

My lot specialise in automating people's Time Accounting processes. Cross charging of people's time between departments, say. Or capturing the amount of effort spent on a range of corporate endeavours. Or perhaps even monitoring occupancy of chargeable staff and even billing of clients...

All business processes.

Anyone need some software?

[toobin]

Don said:

Is this a "conversion" Masters? They are different to MSc courses one does after a BSc in the same subject. IIRC the conversion courses cover much of what a first degree course would in double quick time. Very, very hard work. Should kick start you into a career, though...just remember having qualified you will *still* be viewed as useless until you have experience. Some MScs introduce you to employers during the course and I cannot recommend this highly enough. Almost any level of experience gained during the course will help you vs the guys who were all theory...

Thanks Don,

The course is described as below:

About this Course
The MSc Computing programme has been designed to provide graduates with a sound understanding of the fundamentals of computing and of recent developments in this rapidly developing field. It will prepare you for a career in computing or allow you to apply your newly acquired computing skills within your original discipline. Graduates who achieve high standards in this programme may also undertake research in industry or proceed to PhD study.

Admissions criteria
We welcome applications from those who have a good honours degree (2ii or above), or equivalent professional qualification in a subject other than computing.

As for me I currently work on the contract consultant side of IT but would really like get my teeth into technology. I have picked up a few development books but having a management background I would also like to utilise these skills. My motivation is really to get into IT PM or BA role.

Perhaps there are better courses to suit me but I really don't seem to be able to find them or even know where to look.

Thanks everyone for the contributions so far though

[M@H]

toobin said:

As for me I currently work on the contract consultant side of IT but would really like get my teeth into technology..

toobin, I'm a bit confused... If you work as a contract consultant in IT you should be able to move into IT Project Management without doing a Computing Course.. what exactly do you feel is lacking in your skillset to work in Project Management ? The main things you need in Project Management are Project and Man management skills, good communication and presentation skills, some analytical and problem solving skills and a level head.


I would have thought something like this would be more like it ?
www.rdg.ac.uk/pg/flex/72.html

www.lums.lancs.ac.uk/Executive/ProjMan/DipMScProjMan/


Cheers,
Matt.

[toobin]

Thanks M@H, those seem more like the type of thing I am after.

Thanks for all the advice

>> Edited by toobin on Tuesday 11th October 17:32