Posted April 04, 2012
kavazovangel: Guys, if you have a minute or two, please read.
I'm currently studying Software Engineering (that is what the studies are called, but it is more of a mix of SE, CS, and IT). Last semester, last year. 5 more courses left to clear (10 exams to pass, to be more precise). I should be graduating in two or three months, if all goes well. I've been thinking about continuing the studying and doing the postgraduate studies after I graduate.
The problem is I am kind of stuck and can't really say that I know where to do the postgraduate studies. Can you please write a word or two about how postgraduate education is where you are, and maybe how's the market for anything CS / IT related?
I've been thinking about going somewhere in the west or north of Europe, and maybe the US. So, is postgrad education expensive where you are? Can a foreign citizen easily find a job that will keep him alive and with a place to stay (my country is not an EU member so I guess there will be some limitations)?
As others have said, a primary degree (bachelor's or your equivalent) in CS or related fields is all you need for entry-level positions; an advanced degree is more for research. I'm currently studying Software Engineering (that is what the studies are called, but it is more of a mix of SE, CS, and IT). Last semester, last year. 5 more courses left to clear (10 exams to pass, to be more precise). I should be graduating in two or three months, if all goes well. I've been thinking about continuing the studying and doing the postgraduate studies after I graduate.
The problem is I am kind of stuck and can't really say that I know where to do the postgraduate studies. Can you please write a word or two about how postgraduate education is where you are, and maybe how's the market for anything CS / IT related?
I've been thinking about going somewhere in the west or north of Europe, and maybe the US. So, is postgrad education expensive where you are? Can a foreign citizen easily find a job that will keep him alive and with a place to stay (my country is not an EU member so I guess there will be some limitations)?
The qualifying examinations for foreigners seeking admission to US graduate schools: the TOEFL and the GRE, are given regularly in Macedonia (in Bitola and Skopje).
In the US, it's said "nobody pays for a Ph.D." What that means is, you need to seek out a program and a professor who wants you in his lab, enough to pay for your tuition and living out of grant money, teaching assistantships, or the like. What you need are contacts, especially profs who will recommend you to colleagues in the countries where you want to study.
Similarly, if you want to work in the US, you need contacts. To get into the US on a "specialty occupation" (H1-B) visa, you need an employer to sponsor you. This is possible, and more than 100,000 workers, many in CS, come into the US each year. The catch is, you must already know an employer who wants you to come work for them.
There are many frauds surrounding the US H1-B visa program. Generally, anybody who wants to charge you advance fees, or subject you to an indenture that must be paid off, is operating a scheme to defraud. Be careful. Work off of only recommendations made by people you know well and trust.
Post edited April 04, 2012 by cjrgreen