- #1
Xibalba
- 8
- 0
I have been wondering a great deal about what to do education wise after I finish up my degree at the end of next year. I took our required seminar last semester, and I learned a lot about the options after completing a BS. But have heard / seen consistent splits about the benefits of pursuing a Ph D after graduation. While some employers have said that if you want any seniority / control over research, etc. you MUST complete a doctoral program. Others have said that engineers in the workplace would be better served with something like an MS/MBA program. My question in this regard is, if you want to develop products and conduct research in an industry setting, don't you need a considerable level of expertise in your area? Or is it necessary to have the managerial leverage to push your ideas and projects?
However, at a career event, there was a doctoral graduate there who was basically warning undergrads about the benefits of getting in the industry BEFORE you are well / overqualified. I talked to a career advisor who agreed with him, stating that in fact you will have an easier time understanding and choosing your specialization if you have a background at an actual job, and it's better since some employers are willing to cover the costs of graduate study (provided you are granted admission to a course of study). So basically what I am wondering is this; at what level does a person become, well, "over qualified"? Like, is there such a thing as overspecialization? Also, if you are going to be developing products / equipment , etc. is it better to have the advanced (though narrow) knowledge that a doctorate will provide, or should you do something else, like pursue an MBA? Is it more of a case by case sort of deal? I will say right now that I am not interested in pursuing a career in academia; my areas of interest include space engineering (space craft design, fueling and even space tourism) and energy research (solar voltaics and fuel cells). I could see myself in an R&D position, possibly in a managerial role, but I also like making things and DIY projects, so I would like to be part of or found a start-up at some point. If I were to pursue advanced studies in an aerospace engineering program, what could I / should I do to prepare myself now? ( I am a third year undergraduate in mechanical engineering, and my in major / overall is 3.01 / 2.66, if that helps. )
However, at a career event, there was a doctoral graduate there who was basically warning undergrads about the benefits of getting in the industry BEFORE you are well / overqualified. I talked to a career advisor who agreed with him, stating that in fact you will have an easier time understanding and choosing your specialization if you have a background at an actual job, and it's better since some employers are willing to cover the costs of graduate study (provided you are granted admission to a course of study). So basically what I am wondering is this; at what level does a person become, well, "over qualified"? Like, is there such a thing as overspecialization? Also, if you are going to be developing products / equipment , etc. is it better to have the advanced (though narrow) knowledge that a doctorate will provide, or should you do something else, like pursue an MBA? Is it more of a case by case sort of deal? I will say right now that I am not interested in pursuing a career in academia; my areas of interest include space engineering (space craft design, fueling and even space tourism) and energy research (solar voltaics and fuel cells). I could see myself in an R&D position, possibly in a managerial role, but I also like making things and DIY projects, so I would like to be part of or found a start-up at some point. If I were to pursue advanced studies in an aerospace engineering program, what could I / should I do to prepare myself now? ( I am a third year undergraduate in mechanical engineering, and my in major / overall is 3.01 / 2.66, if that helps. )