Do I need Masters degree in Electrical and Computer science?

[nk_1]

I have done my Undergrad in Electrical Engineering and I have close to 8 Years of work experience in PCB design and mostly in Validation. I have done Signal Integrity and bit of Power Integrity validation for boards.
I would like to move towards Signal and Power Integrity field. In that case what are the pros and cons of doing a Masters degree in the electrical and computer science field.
1. Will this help me to move forward in my career.
2. What are the courses I should be picking up for getting into the Signal and Power Integrity field

Thanks in advance

 

[D H]

It's a bit hard to tell without some additional information.

1. How are you measuring that eight years of experience? In other words, did you obtain your bachelors degree eight years ago?

If that's the case you're getting close to that ten year mark where your college degree matters less and less. An advanced degree helps, particularly nowadays where many employers view a masters degree as the entry level degree, but it's not essential.

2. Have you watched your career and learned new things / did new things in that eight years of experience, or have you done the same job multiple times over? The former makes you a much more valuable employee than does the latter. It means you have some leverage (or don't if you fall in the latter category).

3. Will your employer pay your tuition and fees? If so, look into that route. Going back to living as a poor student is not going to be very attractive after having lived with a nice paycheck for eight years. The obvious downsides of getting a degree on the side is that it will take longer to get that degree (~four years or so) and you will have no life other than work and school during that four year period. A not so obvious downside is that your employer might require that you work for an additional N years for them or you will owe the entire amount they paid for your degree. OTOH, you can negotiate to have a brand new employer pay that penalty to your current employer.