Am I heading in the right career direction?
Am I heading in the right career direction?
(OP)
Topic:
Focus on Masters in Civil Engineering or Focus on Project Management
Background:
Right off from my undergraduate work, I’ve been with my current company for roughly 4.5 years and along the way I’ve obtained a PE which enabled me to hold the title, “Civil Engineer”. Prior to gaining full licensure, I placed a hold to my graduated work so I can put a full effort into studying for the Engineering License exam. That worked out and I’m currently (what I consider to be) at my career peak. Recently I noticed a “shift” in the line of work that our line staff of engineers is heading towards to. I’m sensing we’re moving away from the technical aspect of engineering to towards a project management role. The company paid for our training to attend a PMP (Project Management Professional) course to prepare us for the PMP certification exam. Executive level management likes to use PMP keywords in presentations. PMP seems to be the buzz around here.
I’ve been receiving an overwhelming response from co-workers indicating its “worthless” to obtain a masters degree at my current situation (peak of my career). Beyond my level, the senior level, my company typically looks for managerial and administrative assets. In terms of pay, it’s not recognizable to deserve raise once you obtain a masters degree and the level beyond my current position isn’t what I’m seeking (pretty much I love where I am now).
Question:
Should I go back to college to finish my civil engineering graduate studies?
Many factors play a role in this question.
1) the direction of the company for the engineers is heading towards a project management role.
2) the increasing tuition cost (I estimated after I’m done, I will spend roughly $4000 into higher education).
3) no benefits in advancing to a higher position if I obtained a graduate degree.
4) no benefits in getting a raise if I obtained a graduate degree.
5) I’m half way to completing my graduate work.
6) possible future where I will need a masters degree.
7) very tiring to go to school after work and spending the weekends to finish homework.
8) it might be frown upon by my supervisors (not peers) to give up half way into my graduate work.
So Eng-Tips, if you were in my shoes what would you do?
Focus on Masters in Civil Engineering or Focus on Project Management
Background:
Right off from my undergraduate work, I’ve been with my current company for roughly 4.5 years and along the way I’ve obtained a PE which enabled me to hold the title, “Civil Engineer”. Prior to gaining full licensure, I placed a hold to my graduated work so I can put a full effort into studying for the Engineering License exam. That worked out and I’m currently (what I consider to be) at my career peak. Recently I noticed a “shift” in the line of work that our line staff of engineers is heading towards to. I’m sensing we’re moving away from the technical aspect of engineering to towards a project management role. The company paid for our training to attend a PMP (Project Management Professional) course to prepare us for the PMP certification exam. Executive level management likes to use PMP keywords in presentations. PMP seems to be the buzz around here.
I’ve been receiving an overwhelming response from co-workers indicating its “worthless” to obtain a masters degree at my current situation (peak of my career). Beyond my level, the senior level, my company typically looks for managerial and administrative assets. In terms of pay, it’s not recognizable to deserve raise once you obtain a masters degree and the level beyond my current position isn’t what I’m seeking (pretty much I love where I am now).
Question:
Should I go back to college to finish my civil engineering graduate studies?
Many factors play a role in this question.
1) the direction of the company for the engineers is heading towards a project management role.
2) the increasing tuition cost (I estimated after I’m done, I will spend roughly $4000 into higher education).
3) no benefits in advancing to a higher position if I obtained a graduate degree.
4) no benefits in getting a raise if I obtained a graduate degree.
5) I’m half way to completing my graduate work.
6) possible future where I will need a masters degree.
7) very tiring to go to school after work and spending the weekends to finish homework.
8) it might be frown upon by my supervisors (not peers) to give up half way into my graduate work.
So Eng-Tips, if you were in my shoes what would you do?





RE: Am I heading in the right career direction?
Also, I believe that if you have the academic credentials and the abilities to obtain an advanced degree beyond a bachelor's level, you should go for it, pay or otherwise. But that's just me. I didn't have the marks to get into graduate studies so I slogged along for three decades to where I am now: surrounded by MSc and PhD types, wishing I had done what it took to get to be smart as they are.
As for PMP, I personally think that it's a load of useless crap. A person either knows how to run an engineering project (i.e. plan and build something) or they don't. But again...that's just me. I follow the algebraic inequality:
(P.Eng. = PE) > PMP >> MBA
It is left as an exercise to the reader to provide the proof.
RE: Am I heading in the right career direction?
Imagine you were laid off in two years. What degree would you want to have?
RE: Am I heading in the right career direction?
My only thought is the PM degree is somewhat similar and doesn't have a lot of carry-over value down the road. It's just not something I would personally look at as distingishing. Much like the guys who got a Bachelor's in Leadership....great, now what does that mean?!
On the flip side, the MCE could be very applicable down the road and might help set you apart from another candidate if you should ever want anther job. Plus, you may discover you really want to stay in the design side of things once you get further along in this PM field.
My money...I get the MCE.
I would disagree with Snorgy's equation though as I think a MBA, for the right candidate, is a worthwhile career move. I think it's useless for a young person but someone ready to move into the ranks of managment (business side, not design side) could really benefit from the business lessons a MBA could teach.
PE, SE
Eastern United States
"If a builder builds a house for someone, and does not construct it properly, and the house which he built falls in and kills its owner, then that builder shall be put to death!"
~Code of Hammurabi
RE: Am I heading in the right career direction?
Cheers
Greg Locock
New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376: Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?
RE: Am I heading in the right career direction?
If you love the technical side - stay there and get your Master's. Either the demand for technical people in the USA is going to explode in the very near future due our rapidly aging infrastructure, or there is going to be a major breakdown in our civilization due to failing dams, collasping bridges, and broken sewers. Call me a Pollyanna, but I feel pretty confident about the former scenario.
RE: Am I heading in the right career direction?
I apologize. I do have a ...hint...of...bias in my opinions and...equations.
RE: Am I heading in the right career direction?
RE: Am I heading in the right career direction?
RE: Am I heading in the right career direction?
RE: Am I heading in the right career direction?
RE: Am I heading in the right career direction?
You can get the PMP but you'll still need experience to successfully handle projects. I've seen that firsthand. I agree with SNORGY'S inequalities, too.
Pamela K. Quillin, P.E.
Quillin Engineering, LLC