Engineer + MBA
Engineer + MBA
(OP)
I am fairly new to this forum and hopefully I can glean some wisdom and helpful advice from some of you who have been in the "game" for a while. I am a new engineer having just graduated over a year ago. I have been working as an EI at a midsize firm (350-400 employees) since my graduation. Upon my graduation I immediately enrolled in the Engineering Management/MBA graduate program at my local university. The engineering management masters is obtained by completing 33 hours of coursework, after which I can continue in the program and obtain my MBA by completing an additional 7 more "core" classes for the MBA.
I love my job (90% design) and feel that I am learning a lot due to the constructive environment of my workplace. I still have a few years until I can take the PE exam and realize that there is still a lot left to learn (I can't seem to stress that enough). I also feel that in 5-10 years I may not want to do design anymore and may want to try other challenges (I know, be careful what you wish for...). My question is, is there anyone who has obtained their MBA, transitioned into another field non-design related (management, construction, non-engineering, ect), and never looked back? Are you happy that you made that decision.
I realize that any type of continued education is helpful and applicable, but I want to make sure that I am getting the most bang for my educational buck. A lot of my peers are going the technical route (Master's of Science) and I seem to be the lone duck. Any opinions, constructive or otherwise, would be greatly appreciated.
I love my job (90% design) and feel that I am learning a lot due to the constructive environment of my workplace. I still have a few years until I can take the PE exam and realize that there is still a lot left to learn (I can't seem to stress that enough). I also feel that in 5-10 years I may not want to do design anymore and may want to try other challenges (I know, be careful what you wish for...). My question is, is there anyone who has obtained their MBA, transitioned into another field non-design related (management, construction, non-engineering, ect), and never looked back? Are you happy that you made that decision.
I realize that any type of continued education is helpful and applicable, but I want to make sure that I am getting the most bang for my educational buck. A lot of my peers are going the technical route (Master's of Science) and I seem to be the lone duck. Any opinions, constructive or otherwise, would be greatly appreciated.





RE: Engineer + MBA
RE: Engineer + MBA
RE: Engineer + MBA
I personally wouldnt go for a engineering management program because it neither gives you a strong MS or MBA. Of course, if you have a specific goal in which this type of degree is sought, then it may be worth it to you.
RE: Engineer + MBA
MBA's are relatively plentiful so in my opinion, there is less "distinction" in the degree aside from perhaps the institution from which it was obtained. Since you are enrolled already, I would hope that you would consider putting the education you will receive into wealth generation rather than simply making money.
End of rant, the company I currently work for has been somewhat infected by the making money type of MBA and the effects are starting to become apparent
Regards
RE: Engineer + MBA
RE: Engineer + MBA
Secondly, the main reasoning in obtaining an engineering managment/MBA degree is partly due to the university at which I am enrolled. Their technical degree (MS) has more courses structured towards environmental/wastewater applications than structural and/or hydraulics (both of which I am highly interested in). I feel that if went the route of MS then the majority of the classes that I would wind up taking (in order to graduate within a reasonable amount of time) would not be applicable in my current position (structural/hydraulics). This is not to say that I couldn't learn from these classes or from the few structural/hyrdaulic classes offered. My other reasoning behind my decision was to make myself more flexible within my company or with any future job prospects should they arise. Or maybe I was just enamored with the thought of possessing an MBA degree. I'm still trying to iron out if I will continue with the MBA portion or enter into the MS after my Eng. Mang. program is done with.
I also understand that an MBA won't provide any sort of instant recognition or advancement. Only experience and a history of good design will bring both. Down the line though, who knows? Hence the beginning post.
Thanks again for all the feedback!
RE: Engineer + MBA
RE: Engineer + MBA
www.theladders.com
it's a job site for jobs paying mostly 100k and up. See what they are looking for and you will see what pays that much.
RE: Engineer + MBA
RE: Engineer + MBA