Significance of En-route Masters?

[fermatsenigma]

Significance of "En-route" Masters?

I am a first year Ph.D. student in Optical Science & Engineering. I have a B.S. Physics (Honors). I started doing research in Jan. of 2009. I started the Ph.D. program in Jan. of 2011. Currently I am still doing research for the same Prof. I started with in 2009 (I plan to stay with his group). He is suggesting that I should NOT get my en-route M.S. in Optical Sci. & Engr. I have published 6 conference proceeding, an extended abstract, and I am currently writing my first journal paper and just submitted another abstract for a conference proceeding. His claim is that no one really considers your M.S. if it is the same as your Ph.D. I would select the non-thesis option M.S. which would require me to take 3 more courses (I have 6 courses left for my Ph.D.). He says that I could spend the time that I would spend for those courses earning my M.S. doing research. And the more publications and research experience I have the better chance I have of obtaining the job I want when I get out of school.

My main concern is getting a job when I get out of school. I do not care whether I not I have my Masters (as long as I have my Ph.D.) I just want to do whatever will give me a better chance of getting a job. Any advice?

 

[twofish-quant]

His claim is that no one really considers your M.S. if it is the same as your Ph.D.

His claim is correct.

My main concern is getting a job when I get out of school. I do not care whether I not I have my Masters (as long as I have my Ph.D.) I just want to do whatever will give me a better chance of getting a job. Any advice?

My advice is listen to your prof. He knows more about the bureaucracy of your university than either of us. If you get your Ph.D., no one will care about your Masters, and if you don't, no one will care about which Masters you got.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Your advisor is right (and even if he weren't, would you really take the advice of some guys on the internet over his?). Nobody cares. I'm not sure my present employer even knows that I have an MS as well as a PhD.

 

[fermatsenigma]

I never said I was taking "the advice of some guys on the internet over his?". I do not believe I ever implied that. He is very knowledgeable about the academic sector, however, he has no experience outside of academia. So I thought I would post it on a forum in a related field where there are probably people who have worked outside of academia. That seemed logical at the time lol. I was hoping someone may have encountered a similar problem and now have a well delineated opinion that I could consider and potentially discuss my concerns with my adviser.

 

[Matrix0]

The significance of obtaining an "En-route" Masters degree is a topic that is often debated among graduate students and their advisors. In your case, your advisor is suggesting that you forgo obtaining an M.S. in Optical Science & Engineering and instead focus on your Ph.D. research. This is a decision that should not be taken lightly and requires careful consideration of your career goals and the potential impact on your future job prospects.

On one hand, obtaining an M.S. can provide you with additional knowledge and skills that may be beneficial in your future career. It also demonstrates a level of dedication and commitment to your field of study. Additionally, having a Masters degree may make you a more competitive candidate for certain positions and may even open up opportunities for advancement within your field.

However, as your advisor has pointed out, obtaining an M.S. may not necessarily provide you with a significant advantage when it comes to job opportunities. This is especially true if your M.S. and Ph.D. are in the same field and from the same institution. In this case, employers may view the two degrees as redundant and may place more weight on your Ph.D. and research experience.

Ultimately, the decision to pursue an M.S. should be based on your career goals and what will give you the best chance of achieving them. If you believe that the additional coursework and research experience from an M.S. will make you a more competitive candidate for the job you want, then it may be worth pursuing. However, if your main goal is to focus on your Ph.D. research and publications, then it may be more beneficial to forgo the M.S. and use that time to further your research and publication efforts.

In either case, it is important to have open and honest discussions with your advisor and other professionals in your field to weigh the pros and cons and make an informed decision. Ultimately, the significance of an "En-route" Masters degree will vary depending on your individual circumstances and career goals.