master's degree in engineering: is it worth it?

pakmingki2

will a master's degree in any engineering field really give you a significant advantasge in the job market?

does it vary for different disciplines of engineering?
thanks

Pyrrhus

Well in Civil Engineering most people just stay with their Bachelor's, althought in the near future having a Master is going to be the norm, so i say go ahead and get one, too.

chroot

Master's degrees are often prerequisites for some of the most interesting kinds of engineering jobs. On the other hand, you can find employment just fine with only a bachelor's.

- Warren

pakmingki2

what kind of jobs would be the more interesting jobs?
Like, for cheme or ee, what would be some of the jobs exclusive to those with a masters?
thanks

chroot

Well, as a design engineer, you might need a master's to get real consideration for jobs involving mission critical applications like life support (implantable medical devices), space exploration, etc.

- Warren

stakehoagy

just curious if there is a big difference in salary of bs and masters

chroot

Yep. Usually it's about a 20% difference.

- Warren

Asphodel

Note, 20% in exchange for 2 years (200%) means 10 years to make up the difference. At which point you have 10 years experience as an engineer which will decrease the margin. Round that down a bit for whatever you're making in grad school...it's really just an estimate anyway.

So the best reason to do it is because of your interests, not money.

huckmank

20% is not a big enough difference to justify it monetarily. It's nothing like the difference between a BSEE and JD (100-200%).

Do it if it interests you, but I don't know of too many of my friends going on to get their masters for the income bump.

Shackleford

From my understanding, a Master's in CivE goes further than a master's in another engineering discipline.

Asphodel

Sure, if you want to do civil engineering. It's probably not so helpful if you want to play with electronics.

Oerg

What is a BSEE and JD?

Asphodel

Engineering Bachelor's & Law Degree

The research the latter gets you into isn't exactly what I had in mind when I signed up for this ride.