NUS MSc. ISE or GDip System Analysis
 

Hello,

I have a Honours degree in Engineering from NTU and have about 1 year of working experience. As I am quite unhappy with my current job, I am contemplating to further my studies as I don't have much hope in finding a new job either :(. I am thinking whether to take up a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering (Part time) or a Graduate Diploma in System Analysis(Full time)

The Graduate Diploma in System Analysis(GDIPSA) promises to transform non IT professionals into IT savvy professionals within one year of full time program. It consists of half a year of studies + Half a year of internship.
While I am interested in IT, I have zero background in IT so taking the GDIPSA would be tough as I have to struggle through learning the basics of programming, becoming proficient in designing an application and doing an internship, all packed within a time frame of one year. At the same time, I am not sure if my efforts would be paid off when I graduate(a Grad Diploma would seem less appealing than A Masters Degree on paper). In addition, although there are job opportunities out there in the IT industry, I am not sure if I would lose out to peers from other countries.

The Master of Science in Industrial Engineering (Msc. in ISE) is a part time program meant for mid-career upgrading and would take about 1-2 years to complete. The Msc in ISE encompasses a wider scope of knowledge, ranging from logistics planning to optimisation to system design. It would involve less hardcore programming knowledge. However, I am worried that the knowledge learnt would be too general a and there isnt any strong demand for Master graduates in ISE (I mean, they would rather hire a Bsc in ISE right?)

Appreciate if anyone has any advice or opinions about my choices :)
Thanks in advance

Choose IT. During the one year, make sure you also learn coding as much as you can -- there are lots of online resources. Create mobile apps, web applications, and contribute to open source projects. Jobs will look for you.