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]

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

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]

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.

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.