u/TimPrice2

I'm a career switcher. I spent years in Software Engineering and have some IT certs:
CompTIA A+, Network+, and Security+

I have good accounting credentials as well, but not much actual accounting experience (bachelor's degree and 4/4 exams passed). I'm wondering if it's worth applying for IT Audit positions.

I know it's hard to get hired at a Big 4 period, so I don't want to apply for jobs I have no shot at. I'm not sure if my tech background would make IT Audit my best shot, or if those positions are only really for internal transfers.

According the the WGU Transfer Guidelines, D782 is satisfied by:

One of the following certifications: AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate or professional level with the AWS Certified Advanced Networking – Specialty, or Azure Solutions Architect Expert. 

The problem is, this is written in a way that can be open to multiple interpretations depending on how the grouping was intended.

Is it:

1. (AWS Associate or Professional) + (AWS Networking Specialty or Azure S.A. Expert)
2. ((AWS Associate or Professional) + AWS Networking Specialty) or Azure S.A. Expert
3. AWS Associate or (Professional + AWS Networking Specialty) or Azure S.A. Expert

Ok, number three would be ridiculous, but my point is the phrasing could mean numerous things. I want get the appropriate certs but I want to be certain I'm getting the right ones.

If someone is prepping their computer for the MS SWE program, which specific software or development environments would you recommend someone download?

For example, there are numerous Diagramming software tools out there, but if the course seems to prefer a specific one that would the one to go with.

Same with IDEs, versions of various software, etc?

Any tips would be useful to people getting ready for the program (like me).

I'm starting on July 1 and I'd love to know which classes to expect OAs from. I've been searching and it looks like the entire program might be PAs. I'd just like to know what to prepare for.

I have 15 years of software developer experience working for my own company. I'm closing my company and need a degree if I'm going to rejoin the traditional workforce. I'm trying to decide between WGU and Georgia Tech's OMSCS. I know the difference is huge, but I have some special considerations:

1. If I go with WGU I can enroll in their MS CS program right now. I qualify with just my BS in Accounting and work experience.

2. If I go with OMSCS, which I would prefer, I'd need a tech degree from WGU just to qualify. I know a Bachelors in Computer Science would work, but I'm hoping a MS in Software Engineering would also suffice so I don't have to get a second bachelors degree.

I want to go to Georgia Tech, but if I need to go through the entire process of getting a degree from WGU to qualify, it's tempting to just get my CS degree from WGU and be done with it. How badly would I be sabotaging my future if I just get a Masters in Computer Science from WGU?

I keep hearing that the OSMCS should take 15-25 hours per week per class. What is most of that time spent on? Papers, projects, studying, or something else?

It seems instinctive that a cybersecurity degree would be the best choice for getting into the cybersecurity field, but since so much of the knowledge and credentials can be acquired through certifications, certificates, and projects, is it really best to get a cybersecurity degree? Or would hiring managers prefer to see a computer science degree to go along with all those certifications and certificates?

Edit: Since it seems I was unclear, I'm asking which of the two degrees is better for getting into cybersecurity in a vacuum. I'm not talking about just for me specifically. I'm not asking about people with a given level of experience.