Is Pursuing a BSCS After a BSEE and MEngEE Worth It?

  • Context: Engineering 
  • Thread starter Thread starter YoshiMoshi
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the value of pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) after already obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) and a Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering (MEngEE). Participants explore the implications of further education, financial support from the employer, and potential career advancement.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the value of pursuing a BSCS given their existing qualifications and the lack of financial incentives from their employer.
  • Another participant argues that with a BSEE and MEngEE, the individual is already well-positioned for career advancement without needing an additional degree.
  • A different viewpoint suggests that since the company will cover tuition, pursuing a degree could still be beneficial, despite the lack of immediate financial gain.
  • Some participants question the rationale behind pursuing a degree solely because it is funded by the employer, suggesting it may not lead to meaningful personal or professional growth.
  • There is a consideration of whether a degree in mathematics might be more beneficial than a computer science degree, given the participant's background and the relevance to electrical engineering.
  • One participant proposes focusing on job performance and creativity instead of pursuing another degree, questioning the necessity of further education in this context.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing opinions on the value of pursuing an additional degree, with some arguing against it while others see potential benefits. The discussion remains unresolved regarding whether obtaining a BSCS or a math degree is worthwhile.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the limitations of pursuing a degree based on financial support alone and the potential lack of real gain from such an endeavor. The discussion also reflects varying perspectives on the relevance of additional qualifications to career advancement.

YoshiMoshi
Messages
233
Reaction score
10
Since I have gotten my BSEE, I have been working full time in the field and taking one course at a time towards a MEngEE, and will be done with the masters course work by the end of next year.

The company I work for will pay for the tuition if I were to continue going to school after the MEngEE, but only the tuition. So textbooks, and miscellaneous fees would be on me. My company will only support one degree at each level. Meaning I could pursue either a PHD or a BS with my companies financial support. Because I'd be working full time, I'm not so sure I could handle pursuing a PHD at the same time.

Would it be worth getting another BS, like in computer science? I would do it part time taking one class a time, with the tuition paid for by my company.

My company doesn't give out raises once you get another degree, so I would see no increase in my financial well being after getting the degree. But with the other degree I would have more credentials and could possibly qualify for other jobs and get a raise that way.

Do you think it's worth getting a BSCS after getting a BSEE and a MEngEE?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
No I don't think it's worth anything. If your company is reputable, you should advance in title and salary as time progresses, as long as you put out good and timely work and show leadership skills. With both a BS and Meng, you are already in a good position.
 
Yea I understand, but I feel like if my company will pay for it, then why not? I know that second masters would be better, but I wouldn't have my company financing and it would come out of my pocket completely, and I don't have the funds to do that without financial support from my company. When I got a BSEE, I had enough credits for a math minor and one class away from a minor in computer science. So I was thinking I would have to get either a math or computer science degree. I'm thinking computer science would be better than math. If I recall correctly the computer science and electrical engineering were the same department.
 
The fact that the company will pay for another degree is not a reason to pursue one in your situation. You are simply seeking to take advantage of the company, without any real gain to either yourself or the company. I agree with PhanthomJay; it is not a good idea.
 
What if I did a math degree instead? Would that be better? I had enough credits to get a minor in math after I completed my BSEE degree. I think math is more applicable to electrical engineering than computer science, so that would benefit me and therefore the company?
 
What if you quit going to school and put your extra energy and creativity into doing your job or some other outlet? Why must you pursue a degree just because the company will pay for it?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: gmax137

Similar threads

Biology Confused about pursuing PhD (Indian Scenario) -- Help please
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Engineering PhD in Engineering, Very Rare in Industry I Work in, Impacts?
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
5K
Engineering PhD in Systems Engineering - Impact on Career
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Job Skills Recent BS in Comp Sci graduate looking to get into fusion
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Physics Does a datascience job help in applying for PhD or physics scholarship
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
Physics What to do After Graduating with a Physics BS?
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
7K
Physics Are Baccalaureate Honors worth pursuing in my situation?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Physics Physics Graduate planning to do research in photonics
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Math Information on Quantitative Researchers (or other quant jobs)
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Physics Medical Physics: is it worth it?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
6K