SE going back for Masters
SE going back for Masters
(OP)
I work for an A/E firm. Been 5 years since my BS and recently passed the SE2 exam. I'm used to doing a variety of work up to mid rise buildings and am considered the "senior engineer" in the department as everyone else is fresh grad under 2yrs experience. As such, I've moved up the pay scale fairly quickly, but feel my technical skills have hit a brick wall since there's no other engineers above me and the company is stingy about training.
Due to my life situation, I have the opportunity to go to one of the top Structural Schools in the nation full ride on an assistantship several hundred miles away. No house, no kids, no debt, and wife wants to go back to school.
Do you think I'm nuts for giving up good pay to get a quality MS? I'm not looking for a big payout, but some advantage would be nice. Am excited to take advanced concrete, steel, and dynamics courses. I just want some opinions from those who may have done something similar.
Due to my life situation, I have the opportunity to go to one of the top Structural Schools in the nation full ride on an assistantship several hundred miles away. No house, no kids, no debt, and wife wants to go back to school.
Do you think I'm nuts for giving up good pay to get a quality MS? I'm not looking for a big payout, but some advantage would be nice. Am excited to take advanced concrete, steel, and dynamics courses. I just want some opinions from those who may have done something similar.





RE: SE going back for Masters
I got a Masters right before I got married and was very glad that I did.
plus....forgive me.....College is Fun!
RE: SE going back for Masters
Knowledge is Good
RE: SE going back for Masters
RE: SE going back for Masters
RE: SE going back for Masters
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
RE: SE going back for Masters
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RE: SE going back for Masters
abusementpark, I feel my BS introduced the basics and allowed me to teach myself how to design per code. Though, it left out or only briefly touched many subjects so I don't necessarily have a full grasp of what's going on. Not saying that a MS will clear everything up, but at least will give me a chance to catch my breath and figure more out.
Plus, it seems like most of the engineering firms who really have their act together are run by those who have MS degrees. I'm also a proponent of the boss being more educated than the workers, and hope to be in that position one day.
RE: SE going back for Masters
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RE: SE going back for Masters
Oh dear. My 3 year course has allowed me to design many different things that have never been seen before and extend our understanding of physical/biological principles in certain admittedly not wildly important areas.
Cheers
Greg Locock
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RE: SE going back for Masters
If it is not for the piece of paper then it will definitely be cheaper to do one or two day courses in the areas of your weaknesses.
Not saying you shouldn't, just saying that you should think hard about all your options.
RE: SE going back for Masters
I went to grad school right after my B.S. with a lot of misgivings. On the one hand, I'd had a miserable time in grad school in a different field. But on the other hand, I felt like I knew so little with the B.S. that I couldn't imagine what kind of job I could get that would be at all interesting.
I went to a "top school" as well, and the major firms came recruiting for us. I took a lowly government job for personal reasons, but most of my classmates were headed for nice positions. I didn't hear of anyone who couldn't find a job or was having to settle for the kind of work they didn't really want to do (except for those trying to get teaching positions; academic job hunts are always rough). You'll be ahead of your peers because on top of the degree you'll also have an engineering license and years of experience.
Hg
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RE: SE going back for Masters
I have at times felt the need for additional information and have received it by doing research and asking questions. Instead of losing 2 years at a career, dedicate yourself to learning more on your own.
Call up your old college and ask a professor there what he recommends for reading on " " subject.
My opinion, a Masters is good for the coorporate resume, but a 15 year engineer is worth well more.
RE: SE going back for Masters
Hg
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RE: SE going back for Masters
The main thing for me was that I for once really understood what the heck I was doing. The Masters Degree gave me that - the B.S. degree was just limited.
RE: SE going back for Masters
RE: SE going back for Masters
RE: SE going back for Masters
Be sure to check on strength and focus of the school and the staff, their research programs an so on.
The money will be there later but not the opportunity. You will see the world differently.
Robert Mote
www.motagg.com
RE: SE going back for Masters
I obtained my BS with a wife and a child and it was not easy. Now I am in the masters program, with a brand new child. Not easy!!
You'll never have this opportunity again. I am luck in that I live in a city with a great school with world-class professors (the kind of people who are cited throughout the codes). It is an unbelievable experience to learn from people like that. It is only because I live here that I am able to attend the masters. But it will take me five years to complete!! if you can take a two year hiatus and obtain a masters, why not?
Just make sure you realize your income, and consequently your lifestyle will drop for two years. You may even be able to talk to your company about coming back when you complete it. It is a great marketing tool to tell clients that you have highly trained engineers.
Just out of curiosity, what school do you have the opportunity to attend?