InformationWeek

March 30, 1999

I have an associate degree in computer science and one year of experience with an Internet service provider as a technical support engineer in a foreign country. For the last two years, I have been studying for a bachelor's degree in business information systems and also working in the university's computer department in technical support. I would like to make a career in networking and systems integration and hopefully after 10 or so years become a CIO in a midsize to large firm. The question is, should I go for an MBA, which will take one year, or for a master's degree in computer science, which will take two years. Which do you think will be more suitable for me to attain my goals? Or should I just forget about graduate school and go for industry certification such as MCSE?

Complete your bachelor's degree and move onto the MBA-- not because of the shorter time cycle but because the requirements for a CIO are to understand business and how technology can serve as a driver of business change. The master's in computer science may be more suitable for chief technology officers.

More Questions:
What are the prospects after getting a master's degree in E-commerce?

What would you suggest I do to move towards my goal of VP? It appears my present company has no room at the top.