Navigating Recommendation Letters for a Gap Between MS and PhD in EE

[Maxwell]

What do you do if you have like a 10 or 20 year gap between your MS and your PhD with respect to getting letters of recommendation? I would eventually like to get my PhD, but I'm pretty sure that a good deal of my professors will be retired by the time I'd like to go for it.

Are you supposed to stay in touch with a few professors as long as you have further academic ambitions, or is there some other way to get letters of recommendation, say from your boss or co-workers?

This is for a PhD in EE, and I will not be within academia at all. I'd like to just work on my PhD part-time in the future, no matter how long it takes.

 

[cristo]

I think the standard thing to do in this situation is to get your employer to be your referee.

 

[bravernix]

A reference from a co-worker would be pretty much worthless I would think.

 

[leright]

A reference from a co-worker would be pretty much worthless I would think.

A reference from an engineering supervisor might be ok though, especially since he is looking at engineering graduate school.

 

[bravernix]

A reference from an engineering supervisor might be ok though, especially since he is looking at engineering graduate school.

Yes, definitely anyone in a position of authority would be good. But, having a fellow co-worker write you a letter would probably be about the same as having a friend write a letter.

 

[Dr Transport]

A reference from a co-worker would be pretty much worthless I would think.

I have written no less than 5 letters of reference for co-workers to go to or go back to graduate school. None were turned down and I have gotten calls from the school asking if we have any other people who would like to come and get degrees because our people have been exceptional. I am not a manager in any way shape or form, so how can you say what you said above is true.

 

[Asphodel]

Grad schools are looking to predict what wet-behind-the-ears undergrads will make decent researchers. Coworkers with whom you have been working on major professional projects for 10-20 years, who also hold graduate degrees...well, it's a whole different level.

 

[bravernix]

I have written no less than 5 letters of reference for co-workers to go to or go back to graduate school. None were turned down and I have gotten calls from the school asking if we have any other people who would like to come and get degrees because our people have been exceptional. I am not a manager in any way shape or form, so how can you say what you said above is true.

Well apparently I cannot, and I retract my statement! It is interesting to me though, that these letters are so valuable. Although I suppose if you have worked with someone for an extended amount of time, and you yourself are well established in the field, your opinion would be valued.