Should I get my Masters in Electrical Engineering?

[fnot]

Hi all,

I got my BS in EE 2 years ago. I started working for this company but I feel that I'm going nowhere. All I do is test and I hate it. I was thinking of going back and getting my Masters in EE because ultimately I would like to do design. I made the mistake of not taking any internships when I was an undergrad and I think that really hurt my chances.


Thanks,

 

[Medwell]

Is there any reason you didn't intern anywhere during undergrad?

Anyways, I'm a ChemE major, but at both places I've interned, there is no difference between an applicant with a B.S. and one with an M.S. - no difference at all in terms of placement, salary, rank (in the company), etc. In fact, at one company, the term "B.S./M.S. Engineer" is used to describe both. I don't think graduate degrees enhance job prospect at all in engineering - employers care about work experience, not degrees. Try sending applications around, good luck!

 

[creepypasta13]

Hi all,

I got my BS in EE 2 years ago. I started working for this company but I feel that I'm going nowhere. All I do is test and I hate it. I was thinking of going back and getting my Masters in EE because ultimately I would like to do design. I made the mistake of not taking any internships when I was an undergrad and I think that really hurt my chances.


Thanks,

sounds like me. I worked a few internships in industry and found them boring. The full-time engineers didn't seem to be doing interesting work either, so now I'm thinking about getting my phD in physics or engineering. But I'm not sure how getting an MS would help you do more design work? Where I worked, you could just have a BS and do design work I think

Is there any reason you didn't intern anywhere during undergrad?

Anyways, I'm a ChemE major, but at both places I've interned, there is no difference between an applicant with a B.S. and one with an M.S. - no difference at all in terms of placement, salary, rank (in the company), etc. In fact, at one company, the term "B.S./M.S. Engineer" is used to describe both. I don't think graduate degrees enhance job prospect at all in engineering - employers care about work experience, not degrees. Try sending applications around, good luck!

At most companies I know of, you start off with a slightly higher salary if you are a recent MS grad vs a recent BS grad.

 

[fss]

Unless you have been directly told "You cannot do design work because you don't have an MS," I'd say your dilemma stems from working for the wrong company as opposed to not having the appropriate education.

 

[fnot]

Is there any reason you didn't intern anywhere during undergrad?

Because I was working full time on something completely unrelated to my degree. I had to pay my bills and it did not make sense for me to leave my full time job and get an internship that would cut my pay to more than 50%.

sounds like me. I worked a few internships in industry and found them boring. The full-time engineers didn't seem to be doing interesting work either, so now I'm thinking about getting my phD in physics or engineering. But I'm not sure how getting an MS would help you do more design work? Where I worked, you could just have a BS and do design work I think

I was thinking that having a Masters would definitely give you more design opportunities.

Unless you have been directly told "You cannot do design work because you don't have an MS," I'd say your dilemma stems from working for the wrong company as opposed to not having the appropriate education.

I think you make a very good point. I have not been told this but I always assumed that having a Masters Degree would definitely give you more design opportunities.




It's really difficult when you see all these Engineering jobs requiring 3 to 5 years of experience in design. Now I'm worried because I'm not doing any design just testing so I will never have the 3 to 5 years of experience in design.

 

[Astronuc]

One has to look for opporunities to do design work. One should check out IEEE.org for such opportunities.

Here is one career over the last 29 years.

Began career at -------- in 1981 as a design engineer in the design engineering department. After a series of promotions, became Nuclear Station Electrical Systems Engineering Supervisor in 1989; Electrical Engineering Manager in 1994; Maintenance Superintendent, ------- Nuclear Station, in 1997; Station Manager of ------ in September 1999; and Vice President of ------- Nuclear Site in September 2002. I was named Vice President of -------- Nuclear Station in July 2003, with responsibility for all aspects of the safe and efficient operation of the nuclear site. In December 2006, I was named Senior Vice President of Nuclear Support, where I was responsible for plant support, major projects and fuel management for the nuclear fleet. I was also responsible for regulatory support, nuclear oversight and safety analysis functions. I was named Group Executive and Chief Nuclear Officer in January 2008. Earlier this month I was named to my current role as Group Executive and Chief Generation Officer for --------- and continue in the role of Chief Nuclear Officer for ----------------.

 

[lennybogzy]

Is there any reason you didn't intern anywhere during undergrad?

Anyways, I'm a ChemE major, but at both places I've interned, there is no difference between an applicant with a B.S. and one with an M.S. - no difference at all in terms of placement, salary, rank (in the company), etc. In fact, at one company, the term "B.S./M.S. Engineer" is used to describe both. I don't think graduate degrees enhance job prospect at all in engineering - employers care about work experience, not degrees. Try sending applications around, good luck!

This is completely untrue. Most 'fun' engineering jobs, design/research work, require a masters degree for applicants. If they don't most times a masters degree applicant will be taken over a mere B.S. holder. Most salaries are higher for M.S. holders as well.