Are you an American residing and studying in the U.S. with hopes of working in the U.S.? What exactly do you envision doing after all your studies (BS, JD, MS, LL.M.)? Can you realistically finance all your studies? Do you seriously think it's worth all your time, talent, and resources? Are your educational goals really attainable within your set time frame without you losing your emotional, social, and mental stability? Examine your intentions first then set your goals against reality. Always be realistic.
Now, my one cent worth of opinion...
I suggest you finish a double major in computer science and political science instead of just a minor in either field. Having double majors is like finishing two degrees at the same time. It will be looked upon more favorably by employers than taking a major then a minor. Both fields are equally important in today's workplace so you can never go wrong. Upon earning your bachelors, you can work in technical and research fields. However, you'd rarely see jobs which involve both computer and politics, since they're really separate and non-related fields.
If you intend to take further studies right after college, I suggest you take up JD instead of a Master's in Computer Science. Once you earn your JD, you can take the Bar Exam. If you pass, you get to become a lawyer. I'd think twice about taking Master's in Computer or Master's in Law since both the fields of Law and Computer Science don't need graduate studies for succesful practice. They're professional fields, as opposed to "pure academic" fields like mathematics or chemistry which require MAs and PhDs just to guarantee a successful career. Doing a Master's in either Law or Computer will only help if you intend to teach in some college, or write a book on either topics. Other than that, you'd be wasting your money, time, and effort on further studies.
If you're still young and have the time and resources to study after college and law school, I recommend you take up MBA in some prestigious business school like Wharton, Harvard or Stanford. Business skills can be learned from reading books but employers look for formal qualifications like an MBA, not just self-learned knowledge gained from books. Whatever path you choose (computer science, law, politics), training in business will definitely give you practical help since any field has a business side to it.
Now, should you finish all degrees (BS, JD, MBA) and you're still under 26 and you still wanna study, go for a PhD. I recommend you get a PhD in International Business, or Information Management, or Political Economy, or Organizational Behavior, or Anthropology, or Social Sciences. Just be sure you make use of all your previous education to make a cohesive and cumulative PhD training. Is a PhD woth it? I'd say yes. Having a PhD qualifies you to be a management consultant, a corporate CEO, a business author, a college professor, a diplomat (i.e. Condoleeza Rice), or even a U.S. president (i.e. Woodrow Wilson). And taking Master's then a PhD takes about the same period of time, or even shorter, than completing a four-year bachelor's degree. Most MAs and PhDs have shorter academic programs than BS and JDs.
After all your education (BS, JD, MBA, PhD), you can be almost anything and everything in this world. Just be a positive influence wherever you are and whatever you do. And always never stop believing. Dreams do come true...(just be realistic).
Answered By: Almechtinocoggi - 1/3/2007 |