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Need some advice about phd in computer science


Siamak

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Hi all

  I'm currently working in iran as a IT specialist (IT Security,NetWork,Server Administration, operation system(linux)).I'm in my second year of studies towards a master in information technology management. I want to continue studies with choosing field of study into something that's  at least somewhat related to IT and computer science. but my Bachelor's Degree is in another field. I have a Bachelor’s in industrial Management.Can I pursue PhD that is unrelated to my bachelor's degree major  Regarding  My Bachelor's Degree is in a Different Field ?

I am currently doing my master's in information technology management and planning to move on to a PhD in the same (or a very closely related) field(IT or  computer science). i also have job and research Experience in the same field(IT).

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Why do you bother so much about PhD? The majority of IT companies don't (shouldn't) bother about person's education while interview at position of programmer, as long as programmer has knowledge. On studies you won't learn everything. Industry is constantly changing. Good programmer is learning new things every day. And you have to learn by yourself, while writing new programs, every day. Write programs for yourself, everyday, instead of just writing code for customers or employers, for money. Serious IT companies at interview will ask you to make exercises like you can find on e.g. https://coderbyte.com/  (Google for "programming challenges" etc.)

If you're unable to finish such exercises, you're not good programmer, and the most likely will fail at serious IT company interview. Check how much you're able to make such challenges.

e.g. do you have Android or iOS smartphone? Did you write applications for it? You should do it.. Write dozen test applications for your smartphone, to check different Java Android classes, and how to use them. On interview show your new potential employer your own applications. They will learn you have knowledge, not just on piece of paper..

 

Edited by Sensei
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16 minutes ago, Sensei said:

Why do you bother so much about PhD?

Presumably they are interested in learning more about the subject.

16 minutes ago, Sensei said:

The majority of IT companies don't (shouldn't) bother about person's education while interview at position of programmer, as long as programmer has knowledge.

What makes you think they are looking for a job as a programmer? Computer science is much more than just programming.

Edited by Strange
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Just now, Strange said:

Presumably they are interested in learning more about the subject.

Personally I think that somebody really interested in subject can learn much quicker bypassing educational system. On studies people learn what teacher is asking them to learn. But somebody really motivated to gain knowledge, can extend his/her knowledge by himself/herself much quicker, concentrating on thing he/she is really interested. In IT you don't need license like in e.g. medicine. PhD is just to show potential employer that you mastered subject. IT projects made by programmer (programs), speak for itself, without paper.

 

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8 hours ago, mathematic said:

Talk to the Computer Science department in the schools you are interested in.  Outsiders can only guess.

 

 

I haven't made my decision yet.I want to think about it a bit longer before I make a decision.indeed i need to more info for choosing a university for my PhD program

 
7 hours ago, Sensei said:

Why do you bother so much about PhD? The majority of IT companies don't (shouldn't) bother about person's education while interview at position of programmer, as long as programmer has knowledge. On studies you won't learn everything. Industry is constantly changing. Good programmer is learning new things every day. And you have to learn by yourself, while writing new programs, every day. Write programs for yourself, everyday, instead of just writing code for customers or employers, for money. Serious IT companies at interview will ask you to make exercises like you can find on e.g. https://coderbyte.com/  (Google for "programming challenges" etc.)

If you're unable to finish such exercises, you're not good programmer, and the most likely will fail at serious IT company interview. Check how much you're able to make such challenges.

e.g. do you have Android or iOS smartphone? Did you write applications for it? You should do it.. Write dozen test applications for your smartphone, to check different Java Android classes, and how to use them. On interview show your new potential employer your own applications. They will learn you have knowledge, not just on piece of paper..

 

thx for reply

i think  degree is very important to gettting a job. I have applied places where they wouldn't even give me an interview because I didn't have the degree. i have  CompTIA Network+ certification and  mcse Certificate. im going to take up CEH and python courses.but i'm not a programmer Coding Isn't For Everything in field of computer scoence. I am a IT resarcher having 3 years of work exp in Server Administrator and Network Administrator.A little programming wouldn't be bad, but none would be preferred.
seriously, I have always concentrated on networking, which ends up requiring system admin and hardware troubleshooting. Steer towards companies who use IT and don't sell IT.

.

 

8 hours ago, Sensei said:

Personally I think that somebody really interested in subject can learn much quicker bypassing educational system. On studies people learn what teacher is asking them to learn. But somebody really motivated to gain knowledge, can extend his/her knowledge by himself/herself much quicker, concentrating on thing he/she is really interested. In IT you don't need license like in e.g. medicine. PhD is just to show potential employer that you mastered subject. IT projects made by programmer (programs), speak for itself, without paper.

 

exactly but without degree most of organizations don't even give you an interview .

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21 hours ago, Siamak said:

i think  degree is very important to gettting a job. I have applied places where they wouldn't even give me an interview because I didn't have the degree. i have  CompTIA Network+ certification and  mcse Certificate. im going to take up CEH and python courses.but i'm not a programmer Coding Isn't For Everything in field of computer scoence. I am a IT resarcher having 3 years of work exp in Server Administrator and Network Administrator.A little programming wouldn't be bad, but none would be preferred.
seriously, I have always concentrated on networking, which ends up requiring system admin and hardware troubleshooting. Steer towards companies who use IT and don't sell IT.

I believe so network administrator can't be taken too seriously if he/she is unable to write TCP/IP/UDP client and server by himself/herself. That's essential part of networking. Understanding how TCP/IP sockets work, knowledge about different protocols, how to make network applications, clients, servers, DNS lookup, etc. etc. Hacker attack on network administrated by person who has no knowledge how to make such attack (starting from DoS, DDoS) by himself/herself, would have much higher chance to be not even detected..

How do you think you will fight with eventual hackers attacking your infrastructure, if you don't know e.g. HTTP, FTP, DNS etc. etc. protocols.. ?

 

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20 hours ago, Sensei said:

I believe so network administrator can't be taken too seriously if he/she is unable to write TCP/IP/UDP client and server by himself/herself.

Is that true? The network programmers know how to write clients and servers using the socket library. I don't think the IT admins know how to code at all. They know how to configure firewalls and such. My understanding from the places I worked. The admins can do a little shell scripting but that's about it. Programming's not a required skill for an IT admin, networking or not. 

Edited by wtf
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On 19.09.2018 at 10:07 AM, Strange said:

No. It is like saying you can’t drive car unless you know how to build one. 

Wrong analogy. Driver is like user of network, mechanic is like admin of network, and engineer of car is like programmer who programmed protocols, and programs using network.

The thing is, network admin who has no clue how to make network programs, or any programs, will be also clueless how to fight with serious hacker attack (especially from inside of network, when e.g. somebody with trojan will visit network and spread it inside of LAN)..

I just said admins should be more knowledgeable.. and you're replying that you are fine with less knowledgeable.. I don't get it..

 

 

Edited by Sensei
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