I am considering going back to school part time while doing full time work. Work will pay pretty much 100% of tuition but I may need to pay fees and may have some additional tax liability (possibly not, considering I could potentially count it as for work but I'll have to discuss with tax accountant for details for this). To take maximum advantage of the work benefit, I would have to stretch this out to 4-5 years, depending on the program. I would prefer to do this anyway, because I have taken graduate level classes while working full time but doing more than 1 at once makes it suck really quickly. As for the money, any way you cut it, it's a good deal so I'm very tempted.
My problem is deciding which course of study: Master's of Business Admin (MBA) or Master's in Computer Information Systems (MCIS). I spoke to a recruiter for both and did not get a really clear answer-she was helpful in outlining the programs and said a lot of people she talks to are clearly better for one or the other program, but I could go either way. Adding to the confusion is that we will likely be FIRE ready by the time I would finish, so what I'm really looking for is something that will provide a backbone for doing a part-time/consulting/freelance type situation. I know myself and I will still want goals when I'm FIREd.
Some pros and cons:
MBA would take a bit longer. Friends who know me IRL think I may not be the "MBA type" because I am, frankly, a natural Mustachian who has zero interest in marketing, status seeking, or ever wearing pumps, ever. OTOH, I could do non-profit work with an MBA, and it would help some side hobbies I have now such as an investment club. I may decide to do some small business which an MBA is not necessary for, but probably helpful with. It seems like a degree that gives credibility as much as knowledge, to get a foot in the door or have people more likely to take you seriously.
MCIS would take a bit less time. I have some technical background, though not much with programming, doing analysis, trouble-shooting and coming up with creative solutions for solving a technical problem. I could more easily parlay MCIS into my current work in a couple of different ways, prior to completion. I'm not certain if I could do any of the coursework as part of my work time, but it seems possible/likely (what workplace doesn't have use for someone writing computer programs specific to its processes?). This also seems like it would fit well with my previous work experience, which I could parlay into something that uses all of the work experience I have ever had...but may require a FT job which is not my goal at FI. This would be my top choice if I had like 10 years til FIRE rather than around 5.
So, I am putting this to the MMM community with the hope of getting your thoughts. Do you have either of these degrees and if so, what did you think? Did you consider going back to school to get a degree when you were near FI? Or after FI? Why or why not?
Thanks, I look forward to hearing everyone's thoughts!