<p>I am looking for some advice on how assistantships are viewed by employers? Do they normally count them as relevant work experience? Does it look really good to have held one?</p>
<p>The reason I ask is because I’m currently trying to decide on whether to go to a top school or a good, but not as reputable one that has offered me an assistantship. Obviously the fact that the assistantship covers 100% of tuition is HUGE, but should I be passing up the opportunity to attend a top school? The assistantship would also give me an opportunity to conduct research in my major(CS).</p>
<p>Well, you can always find an RAship position even if you weren’t offered one in the financial package. Were you given a fellowship at the top school?</p>
<p>Edit: To answer your other question, yes, RAships are viewed as work experience by employers.</p>
<p>I was not offered any financial incentives at the top school. The other school offered me a teaching/research assistantship which includes full tuition and stipend. The thought of earning my master’s for free and working closely with CS faculty is very intriguing, however, I don’t really know if this would hurt me in the long run (passing up a chance at well-known school).</p>
<p>I also don’t really know how impressive (if at all) having an assistantship is. Would it be equally sufficient to go to the top school and try and find a relevant part-time or internship position?</p>
<p>TA vs. RA vs. Fellowship vs. Self-funded: this really only matters to others if you go into academia (at least for engineering). Once you have your degree there is generally very little concern about how you paid for it, and whether or not it was prestigious. Most companies that I have seen count the MS as equivalent of 2 years of service, the PhD as an additional 3 years. How long it actually took or how you actually spent that time is irrelevent.</p>
<p>In general, Fellowship > RA > TA > self-funded. In academia they generally prefer the top 2, but most schools like to see a couple of semesters of TA to show your teaching experience.</p>
<p>In engineering I would say probably 80%+ of students at top-50 universities have some type of funding, so I would not particularly consider a TA spot to prestigious unless it was working with someone fantastic.</p>
<p>EMUDOC, I been accepted into the School of Information too. Let me tell you what I know since I work here at the university:</p>
<ol>
<li>The financial aid isn’t the greatest for master’s level students. However, there are MSI students who obtain employment once they arrive on-campus as a TA or RA. TA positions can pay tuition and include health benefits. You might be able to become a computer science TA at the College of Engineering to fund your MSI degree.</li>
</ol>
<p>Michigan has a stronger program in information systems and computer science. SI also has the practical engagement program. Michigan also has a stronger alumni network and most of its SI students obtain internships with top employers lsuch as Microsoft, Apple, Google, etc. </p>
<p>You’re the only person who can choose your path. Look at the required coursework at each school. Which school gravitates to you more? Follow your gut feeling.</p>