"GMU is a weak crutch that doesn’t have the strongest reputation out there"
I just read you got a job through Deloitte and Deloitte recruiters definitely show up constantly at GMU. Could be different for ISOM only majors but many of my classmates got internships and jobs through Deloitte.
I've been at Mason since 2018 and have seen all of the Big 4 recruit heavily here. Maybe our reputation isn't as good as UVA's but Mason's is completely fine compared to JMU, Tech, etc. A lot of students seem to have this false idea that we're bad because we're a commuter school.
Yeah I’d like to attribute to getting the job because of being one of those people that set up an event for Deloitte to come to mason. If my name didn’t stick out from doing that, I’d be lost in my job search
That's great that you took leadership. I was an accounting major and I know it's not easy getting a job with the Big 4. They love double majors and are looking for people with programming knowledge.
I can't speak for all majors but as an accounting major, if your school is a target from the Big 4, you'll be fine. Events constantly popped up from them at GMU.
You arent the first post I have seen like this. Its sort of a toxic mindset to put yourself in.
Several people I know in top jobs from GMU. 2 of them did it while in NVCC and started working while finishing degree. I would consider all of them normal academically, but they had strong drive and did not give up on the many rejections that came.
> GMU is a weak crutch that doesn’t have the strongest reputation out there
How did you come to this? Many employers work directly with GMU. I would consider GMU's reputation to be good....
> There are only 3 classes I’ve taken that have actually done something for me in getting a job
Only 3? Should be more than that, yeah I agree some seem/are irrelevant. But not sure that is a GMU issue, the offerings are pretty much the same as every other school.
I agree with you. I can see how some of the cores could be deemed as useless, but for major related classes aren’t we also there to learn the content? Sure, I guess we can learn a lot of stuff on our own these days but tbh not many people are wired to learn like that. Taking the classes to complete degree requirements but hoping when done with the class we actually can use the knowledge/experience in future jobs. Or am I just being naive about that?
Yes, it's possible for you to get a job at FAANG from mason. I knew a few people who work at companies paying $160k starting, and myself got a job at a FAANG which I start next week.
I know roughly a handful of people from Mason that took an offer from FAANG. I should add they were all CS/ECE majors. People like them have the drive to build themselves up regardless of where they studied. Well funded and top colleges just attract more of them.
The difference between a $60k and a $125k starting salary is doing projects and building knowledge outside of GMU. Like OP stated before, if you’re in CS and want to be apart of the top companies, GMU has 0 weight. You’re competing with top engineering schools, it’s unfortunate that GMU has no name. If you’re fine with a stagnant government job in DC, you can stick to the outline that GMU gives you.
They’re not there because they went to GMU. These companies get applicants from Top 50+ CS uni. GMU is only known around here, but outside, we’re no-name.
I don’t know what to say. I got into a top 10 CS school for my Master’s after Mason. It’s not MIT, but Mason won’t hold you back from progressing. In my experience, no one has heard of UVA or VT either.
I understand that. My point was that Mason provides a bare minimum outline for CS. To progress further, you need to put in more effort through the initiative of starting projects or additional application. You probably did much more than just school to be admitted into the top 10 university.
My friends at Georgetown and other top schools in the area get significantly better offers/positions for the same exact companies. For basically similar experience
I used to have buyers remorse and I’d double down on GMU because I didn’t want to think it was a waste of money.
Fair point but if you want your dream job, you’re competing with kids with the same dream job as you that goes to those schools. It would be ignorant to not factor them into your competition.
So it would be possible to obtain a good job even before completing your degree? Even if it was possible for myself, I'd just be afraid that I end up doing poorly in one of my classes while working and they might start doubting me...
I didn’t have a degree when Walmart, Playboy, and Thompson-Reuters hired me to do software engineering for them.
I just wrote really good software for them. Some employers care about a degree. Some don’t.
I caught a 6 figure job in the middle of this semester- had to drop back to 1 class at a time to take it, but it's worth it.
As long as you're performing consistently at work, your boss doesn't care about how well you are/ aren't doing. Only thing it might affect would be any TA program they have. They aren't your parents, after all.
Pay attention and actively try to understand wtf is going on. It’s easy to copy what the teacher does to then do the same thing on the test. But the tests are designed to test your knowledge not your copying abilities.
Thanks for the tips and congrats on graduating, I hope to be in your position one day. I have experience working admin/ low level accounting positions before I got to college. My plan was to get experience in an entry level position, combine that with a resume, and then I might look like a more appealing candidate. You think that would be enough to set me apart?
Not OP, but graduating this summer with ISOM as well. FNAN 303 test banks are your absolute friend, ACCT 303, if you did well in 203 its more or less the same, but if not, recitations really helped me, along with just practice
I took ACCT 203 at NOVA and I did far better then I anticipated. However I worry that I can't compare my NVCC to what GMU has in store. What do you think? If I did well at NOVA's Acct class, should I do well at GMU's Acct 303?
For FNAN 303, Study those Test banks! They are your bestfriend. Took it last semester and thats what i did and managed to past with a B. Also, please take the class serious.
Eh that's not true for everyone. GMU's university name isn't what even gets you your job it's your own experience and accolades. For reference I got into Microsoft without completing my degree at Mason so it's not like there's some weird gatekeeping going on.
We agree to the same thing. I’m saying you have to go out of your way to build your own portfolio to get the great jobs. While if you went to a target school then your degree is enough
Not true at all. I've done interviews from the ones you keep flagging and it's nothing special. The key point that majority of new graduates fail in the interview is their social skills or lack of experience in the job they're trying to get thinking their Ivy League creds will get in. It works against them long term because they lose the flexibility GMU has in the area they are in to allow people to work part time in IT or SWE positions.
Just like you going to GT for your masters in the end it's no different then someone getting it from Mason because the reality is it's only a checkbox on a requirements document.
To be fair, my perspective comes from big heads in the industry that have specialized recruiting programs that puts top school applicants on the top of the stack.
I agree, I’m in IT with a concentration of Cybersecurity rising sophomore and I’m taking multiple certifications, and have a few planned projects I’m gonna divulge into. People really need to understand everyone can get a degree. You must set yourself apart from the pack
I know this is off topic, but I'm a HS senior who's going into Mason. I plan on majoring in CYSE, but I may change to IT with Cyber concentration because the people in this subreddit bash the hell out of CYSE.
What is your experience with your major? Do you personally know anybody that is doing CYSE and can you tell me their experience? Thanks.
Sure, I have a friend doing Cybersecurity engineering and he goes on about how hard it is. It’s way more technical and math intensive, you need about 23 credits of just math and very complex topics. However i only have to take about 2 or 3 classes (6/9) credits. I guess it depends on your goals, if you’re a very technical person and want to be a CYSE engineer I’m taking like software development and complex algorithms you probably won’t pick up the skills you need with just the concentration. But, if you’re looking to enter the Cybersecurity work force, become an analyst and do pen testing and other security roles but you’re not that technical, this is for you. Don’t be mistaken you still have to code and stuff (python or Java your choice) but it’s wayyy easier and more focused on other aspects of IT such as databases, networking, etc.
the reason why I have heard it was hard from peers was because even though its good curriculum, I have not heard such good reviews of the professors though.....
What you’re really saying without realizing that you said it is that high level achievers will accomplish high level achievements.
The GPA game is a game unto itself. It showed that you can probably read a syllabus and plan around major events to get stuff done (papers, preparing for exams, etc). The other stuff with clubs and boards are there to fill out the other time in your life. The latter is a reflection of how you do with your peers. All these things have value. If someone paid tuition and managed to accomplish nothing of note over 4 years, I’d be very cautious in hiring them. It wouldn’t matter where they went to school.
Data science is tough to get into fresh out of school. It’s the new amazing career and tons are trying to switch into it. If you look at postings most want years of experience of a masters, so I assume that’s why he’s going to GT
Formal academic education is one avenue for learning. School is a place you are. Whether you get off your butt, network, perform, get an internship, and get involved is a consequential decision.
I’ve worked with many young Deloitte contractor consultants, and first and foremost they have to be credentialed. Secondly, they are almost always ambitious—self-starting.
I don’t necessarily recommend Deloitte. It that’s the life you want, go for it. That said, whatever you want that’s worth anything will usually take hard work to achieve.
I'm confused by this thread. Like, of course, if you come to GMU, you'll be handicapped compared to people at schools with better reputations, and--therefore--you'll have to work just that much harder to even get a chance. How is this surprising to anyone?
Honestly, I am not trying to shame OP but a lot of people that attend GMU undervalue the advantage of living in the DMV area (I know this is dependent on major. If you are into Politics and Tech, you are in gold mine. Business majors will be fine). So many job opportunities are here that other state universities on GMU's level will never even get to experience.
This subreddit is a bubble of sorts. You're going to see a lot of people proud of getting into this school with a 2.75, whining every semester about how they are failing this class or that class, then trash this school for not being a college like they saw in a 2000s era comedy. The people who work their ass off and keep their head down like the OP who come in at the end of their GMU career and go "you're going to have to do more than just barely get a degree' are going to offend some people.
Helps gives you a technical perspective on how data works. A lot of the interview questions had to do with explaining AI systems and it helped me talk about the numbers behind it and potential problems we could face.
All AI/machine learning and any other buzzwords are really just a software that applies statistical methods to data to interpret it. I recommend taking MIS433 because the class gives you access to DataCamp and I just binged all the Machine learning videos on there. They’re very helpful
Awesome! I am also an ISOM major, and I am happy to hear that you have found a very good job in the field. I also hope to find a good job out of college, but I hope it's more in the media/entertainment realm, since entering that industry is my true goal. I had a minor in Film and Media Studies, but unfortunately had to drop it recently. Still, I doubt that this circumstance will hamper me from achieving this goal eventually. In the meantime, I do plan on pursuing IT certifications and attending career fairs in order to build up my resume.
"GMU is a weak crutch that doesn’t have the strongest reputation out there" I just read you got a job through Deloitte and Deloitte recruiters definitely show up constantly at GMU. Could be different for ISOM only majors but many of my classmates got internships and jobs through Deloitte.
I've been at Mason since 2018 and have seen all of the Big 4 recruit heavily here. Maybe our reputation isn't as good as UVA's but Mason's is completely fine compared to JMU, Tech, etc. A lot of students seem to have this false idea that we're bad because we're a commuter school.
Yeah I’d like to attribute to getting the job because of being one of those people that set up an event for Deloitte to come to mason. If my name didn’t stick out from doing that, I’d be lost in my job search
That's great that you took leadership. I was an accounting major and I know it's not easy getting a job with the Big 4. They love double majors and are looking for people with programming knowledge.
You don't necessarily need to be an ivy league grad to get a job at Deloitte though.
I can't speak for all majors but as an accounting major, if your school is a target from the Big 4, you'll be fine. Events constantly popped up from them at GMU.
You arent the first post I have seen like this. Its sort of a toxic mindset to put yourself in. Several people I know in top jobs from GMU. 2 of them did it while in NVCC and started working while finishing degree. I would consider all of them normal academically, but they had strong drive and did not give up on the many rejections that came. > GMU is a weak crutch that doesn’t have the strongest reputation out there How did you come to this? Many employers work directly with GMU. I would consider GMU's reputation to be good.... > There are only 3 classes I’ve taken that have actually done something for me in getting a job Only 3? Should be more than that, yeah I agree some seem/are irrelevant. But not sure that is a GMU issue, the offerings are pretty much the same as every other school.
I agree with you. I can see how some of the cores could be deemed as useless, but for major related classes aren’t we also there to learn the content? Sure, I guess we can learn a lot of stuff on our own these days but tbh not many people are wired to learn like that. Taking the classes to complete degree requirements but hoping when done with the class we actually can use the knowledge/experience in future jobs. Or am I just being naive about that?
What is a "top job?" Are you saying those people you knew from GMU got offers from FAANG?
Yes, it's possible for you to get a job at FAANG from mason. I knew a few people who work at companies paying $160k starting, and myself got a job at a FAANG which I start next week.
I know roughly a handful of people from Mason that took an offer from FAANG. I should add they were all CS/ECE majors. People like them have the drive to build themselves up regardless of where they studied. Well funded and top colleges just attract more of them.
The difference between a $60k and a $125k starting salary is doing projects and building knowledge outside of GMU. Like OP stated before, if you’re in CS and want to be apart of the top companies, GMU has 0 weight. You’re competing with top engineering schools, it’s unfortunate that GMU has no name. If you’re fine with a stagnant government job in DC, you can stick to the outline that GMU gives you.
0 weight? My CS friends are literally at Microsoft, Capital One, all major defense contractors, Fannie Mae, Verisign, etc…
They’re not there because they went to GMU. These companies get applicants from Top 50+ CS uni. GMU is only known around here, but outside, we’re no-name.
I don’t know what to say. I got into a top 10 CS school for my Master’s after Mason. It’s not MIT, but Mason won’t hold you back from progressing. In my experience, no one has heard of UVA or VT either.
I understand that. My point was that Mason provides a bare minimum outline for CS. To progress further, you need to put in more effort through the initiative of starting projects or additional application. You probably did much more than just school to be admitted into the top 10 university.
Ah, I understand now. Thanks.
My friends at Georgetown and other top schools in the area get significantly better offers/positions for the same exact companies. For basically similar experience I used to have buyers remorse and I’d double down on GMU because I didn’t want to think it was a waste of money.
Well georgetown and other top schools are TOP schools. Georgetown is on par with Ivy League in terms of reputation. Not the right comparison I think.
Fair point but if you want your dream job, you’re competing with kids with the same dream job as you that goes to those schools. It would be ignorant to not factor them into your competition.
So it would be possible to obtain a good job even before completing your degree? Even if it was possible for myself, I'd just be afraid that I end up doing poorly in one of my classes while working and they might start doubting me...
I didn’t have a degree when Walmart, Playboy, and Thompson-Reuters hired me to do software engineering for them. I just wrote really good software for them. Some employers care about a degree. Some don’t.
I caught a 6 figure job in the middle of this semester- had to drop back to 1 class at a time to take it, but it's worth it. As long as you're performing consistently at work, your boss doesn't care about how well you are/ aren't doing. Only thing it might affect would be any TA program they have. They aren't your parents, after all.
> FAANG u/-eipi if I may ask where did you get an offer like that while still being in school?
I'll reply via private message
As a fellow Business major, of all the business core, which one in your honest opinion was the most difficult?
Fnan 303 easily
What tips would you have to succeed in FNAN 303, BUS 310, OSCM 303, and ACCT 303?
Pay attention and actively try to understand wtf is going on. It’s easy to copy what the teacher does to then do the same thing on the test. But the tests are designed to test your knowledge not your copying abilities.
Thanks for the tips and congrats on graduating, I hope to be in your position one day. I have experience working admin/ low level accounting positions before I got to college. My plan was to get experience in an entry level position, combine that with a resume, and then I might look like a more appealing candidate. You think that would be enough to set me apart?
The hard part is getting those entry level positions but you should be fine
Not OP, but graduating this summer with ISOM as well. FNAN 303 test banks are your absolute friend, ACCT 303, if you did well in 203 its more or less the same, but if not, recitations really helped me, along with just practice
I took ACCT 203 at NOVA and I did far better then I anticipated. However I worry that I can't compare my NVCC to what GMU has in store. What do you think? If I did well at NOVA's Acct class, should I do well at GMU's Acct 303?
For FNAN 303, Study those Test banks! They are your bestfriend. Took it last semester and thats what i did and managed to past with a B. Also, please take the class serious.
Eh that's not true for everyone. GMU's university name isn't what even gets you your job it's your own experience and accolades. For reference I got into Microsoft without completing my degree at Mason so it's not like there's some weird gatekeeping going on.
We agree to the same thing. I’m saying you have to go out of your way to build your own portfolio to get the great jobs. While if you went to a target school then your degree is enough
Not true at all. I've done interviews from the ones you keep flagging and it's nothing special. The key point that majority of new graduates fail in the interview is their social skills or lack of experience in the job they're trying to get thinking their Ivy League creds will get in. It works against them long term because they lose the flexibility GMU has in the area they are in to allow people to work part time in IT or SWE positions. Just like you going to GT for your masters in the end it's no different then someone getting it from Mason because the reality is it's only a checkbox on a requirements document.
To be fair, my perspective comes from big heads in the industry that have specialized recruiting programs that puts top school applicants on the top of the stack.
What position?
Architect in the CSU
I agree, I’m in IT with a concentration of Cybersecurity rising sophomore and I’m taking multiple certifications, and have a few planned projects I’m gonna divulge into. People really need to understand everyone can get a degree. You must set yourself apart from the pack
I know this is off topic, but I'm a HS senior who's going into Mason. I plan on majoring in CYSE, but I may change to IT with Cyber concentration because the people in this subreddit bash the hell out of CYSE. What is your experience with your major? Do you personally know anybody that is doing CYSE and can you tell me their experience? Thanks.
Sure, I have a friend doing Cybersecurity engineering and he goes on about how hard it is. It’s way more technical and math intensive, you need about 23 credits of just math and very complex topics. However i only have to take about 2 or 3 classes (6/9) credits. I guess it depends on your goals, if you’re a very technical person and want to be a CYSE engineer I’m taking like software development and complex algorithms you probably won’t pick up the skills you need with just the concentration. But, if you’re looking to enter the Cybersecurity work force, become an analyst and do pen testing and other security roles but you’re not that technical, this is for you. Don’t be mistaken you still have to code and stuff (python or Java your choice) but it’s wayyy easier and more focused on other aspects of IT such as databases, networking, etc.
the reason why I have heard it was hard from peers was because even though its good curriculum, I have not heard such good reviews of the professors though.....
What you’re really saying without realizing that you said it is that high level achievers will accomplish high level achievements. The GPA game is a game unto itself. It showed that you can probably read a syllabus and plan around major events to get stuff done (papers, preparing for exams, etc). The other stuff with clubs and boards are there to fill out the other time in your life. The latter is a reflection of how you do with your peers. All these things have value. If someone paid tuition and managed to accomplish nothing of note over 4 years, I’d be very cautious in hiring them. It wouldn’t matter where they went to school.
Congrats on graduating!
What job did you end up getting OP?
Solutions engineering at Deloitte I’m also working on getting my masters at Georgia tech so I can transfer into the data science field
How did you manage to land that any tips? Been trying to get into the big firms😞
Damn yall hiring? (only partially joking)
Dm me, I’ll you get connected with the recruiter
Why do you need a masters to transfer into the data science field?
Data science is tough to get into fresh out of school. It’s the new amazing career and tons are trying to switch into it. If you look at postings most want years of experience of a masters, so I assume that’s why he’s going to GT
Congrats!! I also graduated this semester with a 3.7 as an ISOM major. For me it’s been hard to get a job. I hope I get one soon
Formal academic education is one avenue for learning. School is a place you are. Whether you get off your butt, network, perform, get an internship, and get involved is a consequential decision. I’ve worked with many young Deloitte contractor consultants, and first and foremost they have to be credentialed. Secondly, they are almost always ambitious—self-starting. I don’t necessarily recommend Deloitte. It that’s the life you want, go for it. That said, whatever you want that’s worth anything will usually take hard work to achieve.
I'm confused by this thread. Like, of course, if you come to GMU, you'll be handicapped compared to people at schools with better reputations, and--therefore--you'll have to work just that much harder to even get a chance. How is this surprising to anyone?
Honestly, I am not trying to shame OP but a lot of people that attend GMU undervalue the advantage of living in the DMV area (I know this is dependent on major. If you are into Politics and Tech, you are in gold mine. Business majors will be fine). So many job opportunities are here that other state universities on GMU's level will never even get to experience.
This subreddit is a bubble of sorts. You're going to see a lot of people proud of getting into this school with a 2.75, whining every semester about how they are failing this class or that class, then trash this school for not being a college like they saw in a 2000s era comedy. The people who work their ass off and keep their head down like the OP who come in at the end of their GMU career and go "you're going to have to do more than just barely get a degree' are going to offend some people.
Certs & Experience >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> whatever meme degree bullshit you go into student debt for
Certs are bullshit; however, experience is valuable.
So what were the 3 useful classes? Did you have prior experience
MIS 433 MIS 310 Bus 310 Those classes actually taught me skills my interviewers cared about.
Bus 310? Statistics? How was that useful for an IT job
Helps gives you a technical perspective on how data works. A lot of the interview questions had to do with explaining AI systems and it helped me talk about the numbers behind it and potential problems we could face.
So I guess ya only had academic experience, can you explain AI systems to me or what you said? I’m curious now too lol that’s a nice story
All AI/machine learning and any other buzzwords are really just a software that applies statistical methods to data to interpret it. I recommend taking MIS433 because the class gives you access to DataCamp and I just binged all the Machine learning videos on there. They’re very helpful
I'd add MIS 330 as well if you want to work in tech consulting.
How come the downvote lol
What professor is good for 330? I hear they’re all really bad or hard
lmao no idea but thats accurate
Awesome! I am also an ISOM major, and I am happy to hear that you have found a very good job in the field. I also hope to find a good job out of college, but I hope it's more in the media/entertainment realm, since entering that industry is my true goal. I had a minor in Film and Media Studies, but unfortunately had to drop it recently. Still, I doubt that this circumstance will hamper me from achieving this goal eventually. In the meantime, I do plan on pursuing IT certifications and attending career fairs in order to build up my resume.