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MS or MBA?

Started by ak11streetballer Jun 8, 2008 at 7:27 AM 9 replies 2.7k views

Original Post

Jun 8, 2008 at 7:27 AM

Hey guys! I have just completed my second year of college and have hit a roadblock all students hit one time or the other. Presently I am doing my B. Tech. in Computer Science and after my four years of college I want to get into the game industry, specifically the game programming side of it. I have my summer vacations going on at the moment and am doing an internship as a junior programmer for a start up gaming firm. They are using the Torque Game Engine to make a platformer game and I thoroughly enjoy the work. The first day I sat and worked in that office, I just knew that this is definately the industry I want to work in. Now that I am done with the introduction, let me get to the raodblock. While I was chatting with my boss about my future plans, I told him that I was planning to give my GMAT and do a MBA. But he stopped me right there and told me that if I want to get into the programming side of game development, a MBA will not help me much. Something like a MS in Game Development in a game school would be very helpful and much more appealing to the top dogs in the game industry like EA and Ubisoft (He has worked as a game artist in both these firms!). Finally coming to my question, which route do I take? Do I do my MBA and rely on my self learned game programming skills to get land a job in the industry OR do I do a MS in Game Development from a game school for better chances in the future? Thanks!

zer0wolf

Jun 8, 2008 at 8:59 AM

It depends on your objectives. If you just want to become a game programmer, you don't need a Master's Degree. Just go ahead and start applying as you approach the end of your degree. An MS in Game Programming could help if you don't currently have much of a portfolio, though, as it would give you more time to build one. Make sure you do a great job with this internship and get some recommendations to ensure you get a game oriented internship next summer as well. Employers will like to see that you have some experience under your belt.

An MBA WILL be useful if you're interesting in going into a management or producer role. With your internship and possibly one of two more coupled with an MBA would make you pretty appealing for an Associate Producer role.

Tang of the Mountain

Jun 8, 2008 at 11:08 AM

I concur. An MBA is not desired for a programmer. I you want to eventually get into management sure. If you want to be a tech monkey, go with the MS. I do think companies will notice an MS over a BS, if you have the time I would do that. If not, a BS will be sufficient.

I also asked my boss if an MBA would be worth my time and he stated the same thing your boss did, not worth it for my chosen career path.

Good Luck.

j_smith4

Jun 8, 2008 at 12:38 PM

You don't want to be a code monkey for the rest of your life. A lot here might disagree but its going to be your typical deadend job doing the samething day in and day out. While the MBA isn't going to help you much if you just want to be a code monkey it will be most helpful if you want to get into management. Also since you are limiting yourself with a game dev degree if you ever get sick of games the MBA will get a you decent management position in just about any kind of company.

ktuluorion

Jun 8, 2008 at 10:10 PM

I'd go with the MBA.

It really does depend on your tastes though -- the MBA is only useful if you move yourself into managerial roles after you get it.

If you want to code, or work closely to the technology in general, get the MS.

ak11streetballer

Jun 9, 2008 at 6:40 AM

Well I really don't want to become a code monkey. I want to start off with coding so that I can break into the gaming industry, get some good experience and make a whole lot of contacts. Eventually I would like to get into the manegerial side of it. I am guessing an MBA would be a good option for me, right?

Tang of the Mountain

Jun 9, 2008 at 6:59 AM

Not initially. But if you have the time and money, and you intend to push for a mangetorial position, the MBA will benefit you. You might want to try for a programming internship while you get your MBA to gain some experience.

Rydinare

Jun 9, 2008 at 8:05 AM

Why not both? A lot of people who love software question getting the MBA, but I think workers who have MBAs are better all-around because they have a bit of insight into the management end of things, and clearly there's room to move up, which will be visible to employers. An MS should be a bit of a boost to salary and have you a level higher, if your workplace uses levels. They're both useful.

When I switched jobs a few years back, my MBA was definitely part of the reason for a very very significant salary increase. I don't think I would've gotten the same salary increase for my current position if I had an MS, instead, at the time. But the MS is very valuable long term, proving you're an expert in your field.

Metorical

Jun 9, 2008 at 8:25 AM

Well the thing is:

1. An MBA costs a lot of money.
2. You don't typically do an MBA until you have quite a few years of experience in an applicable role.

Typically you don't need to do a masters either unless you are planning on going in to your field at an academic level difficulty e.g. research.

ak11streetballer

Jun 9, 2008 at 12:15 PM

Well I surely dont want to get into the research side. I know what I am capable of and research is surely something I dont want to take a chance with. After this summer I will have one internship under my belt and I will work towards getting an internship in the gaming industry in during my next set of summer vacations too. What do you guys think about Dual Degrees, the MS MBA combination? Are there any dual degrees which give you an MS in game development and an MBA at the same time? If yes, then where?

zer0wolf

Jun 9, 2008 at 12:29 PM

Quote:
Original post by ak11streetballer
Are there any dual degrees which give you an MS in game development and an MBA at the same time? If yes, then where?

Uhmm... no? At least not any reputable school would. Both ought to be very intensive studies. You could probably do both at the same time, as separate degrees, but you'd be hard pressed to get many universities to even let you do that. I don't think you'd be able to at my old school.

What do you want do to? If you'd like to move into say a Producer role, get an MBA. If you want to get into the industry more quickly as a programmer, just start applying when you're a few months out from graduating. You're putting a bit too much thought into this [wink]

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