Obviously the quality of the MS program makes a difference in your career outlook, but how significant is it for these degrees?I hold a BSBA from a top 30 undergrad program, and have about 4 years experience in database programming and data analysis for direct marketing purposes. I am considering enrolling in UNC Charlotte's MS in Math Finance program, but worry that the University's lack of a reputation will hurt my chances of getting into the field. I have spoken with the advisor for the program, and he basically said that there are more jobs available than their are grads of this program. The program was started because of the needs of the major banks in Charlotte (BoA and Wachovia). I asked about salary and placement, and grads w/out any experience were getting at least what I get now and have 100% placement at graduation (but only 7 of 7). It sounds positive, but I wanted some independent opinions on the matter.Keep in mind, that I must continue working and can only go to school part time, and I cannot leave the Charlotte area. I have the grades and gmat's to have a chance at some of the better schools, but as I said it is not feasible at this time. An MBA at Wake Forest is another option, but I am not sure that is what I really want. I took all of the marketing and management courses in undergrad, and I'm really interested in depth rather than breadth of knowledge.Thanks for your help!

You said it already, you have no other choice...Either you attend this course or you do nothing. I am sure you will choose the best feasible solution for your long term career aspirations

Hi, I am studying at NC State. yeah, you got a problem right there. But you got to chose between a bright future or immediate expenses. I am graduating this semester and am going to university of Michigan for Financial Engineering. Doing MSF in Charlotte is a waste of time unless you want to end up in some energy sector or something like that. I talked to the director (for MS in Mathematical Finance), as well, here at NC State He told me that he would some how manage my tuition and all that bs. But I decided that I would like to have a bright future and hence I took a brave decision. He also said that job is not a problem. Then I asked him what kinds of job and he said that some are in energy sector and some in local banks like Wachovia etc. My MSFE program starts in Fall '05 and I also have to take lots of loans. But I am very confident that I will suceed in the field though there is tons of competition. Yeah, in NC there could be little competition but in NY, it takes a lot of effort (and some luck) to get a decent job.So, my suggestion to you is that, don't worry about time and money. With your scores, get to the best possible program and get the maximum out of your resources.Hope this answers your question. If not, tell me what else you want to know.

MSFE,Thanks for your input, but I think our situations may be a little different. I'm married and between my wife and I, we have racked up to $60k in student loans from undergrad and her masters. She is a teacher, so her income is pretty low. For me to quit my job, relocate to wherever I get in, and take at more loans would put me and my wife under tremendous financial strain. It would almost be impossible. That, and the fact that we would like to have children in the next 3-5 years. It would be a huge risk that I am not willing to make right now.My options are 1)to do nothing(education wise) and continue down my current career path, trying to find a niche that I find passion in. 2)Go to this UNCC Math Fin, and try my luck there. The most I would be out is $8-10k because of the low tuition. 3)I could wait it out a couple years until my financial situation is better, and then look at the top programs.The main thing that would help me with this decision is an understanding of the prospects of the program. You mention that I could hope for Energy sector or local bank jobs. How much opportunity is there in Charlotte for QF/FE types? Are they paid well? The problem with waiting it out is age. I'm 27 now. If I wait 3 years, I'd be 31-32 and trying to get into the field with a MSc. Is that a very desirable position?

You are at a crossroad. Unfortunately, the ability to move and make career changes becomes more difficult with time and the additional responsibility of kids. My thought here is to thoroughly research your options with your family and make a joint decision. If you make no changes in your career, it should be because that is what you decided.Mikhail

Some things have changed since I posted this, and I wanted to see if anyone could offer insight/advice.A head hunter from BoA in Charlotte got in touch with me, so I interviewed for the position. He tells me that they are going to offer me the job pretty soon, and he is just waiting for approval for a signing bonus amount. The job is a direct marketing/customer segmentation related job, and far less technical than I've been doing since joining the workforce. Currently, I'm 90/10 coding/meetings, this would be about 50/50. I would get a slight increase in pay, but a temporary boost with the SB. I bring this to this board because the bank would pay for my masters degree (up to $4k annually, which would cover the UNCC program 100%). It would seem they also would offer me a better opportunity to break into the QF field being that they currently have a need for such positons. I currently work for a Vendor/Database Outsourcing company that does not have any Financial Service clients.Here are the key factors in my decision:1. Current Job vs. Potential Job. This I'll have to figure out for myself, and is obviously the most important.2. Any insight into working for BoA as far as moving around to different positions, what their QF team/positions are like. Does moving to a less technical position hurt me more than moving to the bank helps me (as far as breaking into QF)? Is it a good place to work in general?3. Back to the original question. Assuming I can get the UNCC degree for free or get nothing. It doesn't seem like it would hurt me other than opportunity cost. I had a 3.7/4.0 undergrad a top 20 public univ in US, and scored 700 on GMAT, 95 percentile math (never took GRE). I assume I could get into better MFE programs than UNCC. I'd also like any insight as to what chances I'd have at NYU, Columbia, CMU MFE programs with those grades/scores/ and 4-5 years database analyst experience. There is always the possibilty of a NYC transfer with the bank.4. I've reached about 2/3 of my salary potential in this career in about 4 years, so its looking more and more likely that my career is heading down the MBA path. Don't get me wrong, that was my goal coming out of college, but I get scared of the idea of not doing any "real work" or heavy analysis. I'm not a salesman or politician. I can get better in those areas, but they'll never be my strengths, so I don't believe I should make a career out of it(hence, why I am strongly looking at this field). I'm good at dealing with tech and non-tech folks, and love working on heavy analysis, complex business rule type projects now. Can someone reassure me that by going the MBA route, I won't be giving up these things in exchange for a sales, project management type job. I'll do what I have to put food on the table, but I know where my strengths are, and believe I am best served using them.Again, I know that this is my decision, and I'm not asking anyone to make it for me. I'd just like any insight from anyone that can offer any.

Can you convince your current employer to pay the tuition for you? Even so, I am not sure NC's MFE offer does worth much.I think BoA offer is pretty good, don't hesitate. 50/50 tech/management is good ratio, you don't need to get imerged into tech/manage 100% in either field, don't feel boring, and get well-paid, plus education opportunity. Will BoA pay only for NC MFE, or any offer you can get? I think the best choice is, you work for BoA in New York, and then get into a top program part-time.

My current employer probably wouldn't pay. Its basically a database vendor that would have little use for someone with that degree. I could try negotiating it with the threat of taking another job, but that might put a bitter taste in their mouth, and hurt me in the long run.I, too, am skeptical about the UNCC program, but I am also sort of a knowledge junkie. I could see myself taking it just for that side of it. Going to NYC is an option, but I'd really like to stay in Charlotte. I know its not NYC, but it is the nations second largest banking center. There aren't as many pure quant jobs here, but there are some that I've seen. Also, a potential transfer to NYC would be a couple years down the road.I might be leaning towards the MBA route. In the state, Duke and UNC - Chapel Hill both offer weekend programs, and Wake Forest has a night school in Charlotte (near my house actually). All of those schools have a strong or even very strong reputations. I'd probably wait 2-3 before applying though, in order to get some more experience. I've even thought of doing the MFE at UNCC, and then doing an MBA at one of those other schools afterwards. That would kind of offer me the best of both worlds without having to uproot myself yet. I don't imagine an MFE at a lesser would hurt my chances at being admitted to a top MBA program. This is of course assuming I do well in the program. Any thoughts on that path?

After reading my reply, I wanted to clear something up. I made it sound as if I would not consider moving to NYC, but that is more of a short term thing. I'd like to get all of my education out of the way down here, but would move to NYC for the right job after MBA or MFE. It would be great if I could get a quant job here, but I understand that NYC is where its at for the most part.

hey farley, please chk ur pm.hoping for a replyvarun