MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
(OP)
Guys, i am a structural engineer (FE) with 4 years of experience in steel structures , i am thinking of adding some mor letters after my name by getting the PE this year and starting a master programme, i am appealing to the experienced engineers in this fantastic forum, lets start voting (MBA VS Msc).
ôIf you don't build your dream someone will hire you to help build theirs.ö
Tony A. Gaskins Jr.





RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
Either path will offer credential value. In my opinion, the PE is more valuable than either in credential value, and probably in real value unless you find a particularly useful research niche.
You're exiting the entry level stage of your career, but many structural engineering firms are setting a MS in structures as a minimum hurdle for hiring nowadays.
There are some MS programs out there focused on engineering management. I completed one, which in my case was focused on technical optimization and business challenges for engineer entrepreneurs. This may be more valuable and more interesting than an MBA, especially if you're working in a small firm environment (or hope to start your own).
Unless you are 1) interested in a PhD, 2) passionate about a specific line of research, or 3) obtaining funding from it -- I'd advise staying away from a Thesis-based MS. It's a big time sink, especially if you have family or other obligations.
Logistically, "Executive MBA" type programs may be easier to fit around a typical work schedule. MS Structures programs often assume you are available full time during the day for coursework, etc.
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
Having an MBA or Msc doesn't necessarily make you a better manager or engineer.
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
Lomarandil : Can you please give me the website with the study plan of your MSc?
ôIf you don't build your dream someone will hire you to help build theirs.ö
Tony A. Gaskins Jr.
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
MBA = Mediocre But Arrogant
= Massive Brain Aneurysm
= Mighty Bad Advice
= Master Bull$hit Artist
You get the idea.
Maui
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
Wait... that's how people end up in MBA school anyhow. MBA it is. Promise me you'll put "MBA" after your name, like all those knobs who think they're doctors.
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
Having an MBA will certainly not hurt your career and would open up so many more doors to other higher paying jobs if you decided that you were tired of engineering in the future. Most engineers (myself included) with 10 years experience and no MBA would be hard pressed to change engineering disciplines, let alone make a complete career change, without taking a 40 to 50 percent pay cut. With an MBA, for example, you could stop engineering, get a job in finance and start out making the same or possibly more than you were as a structural engineer. Not that you will or should, but the options are far greater with an MBA.
Regarding a master's in structural engineering: You don't need an advanced degree to obtain more technical depth, but it sure makes it a lot easier. At least, that's been my experience.
You don't need an MBA to advance into upper management, but it could be the difference maker between you and the other guy. Just being able to speak the business terminology will make you appear much more competent that someone equally as competent who just doesn't know the lingo.
Either way, its hard to go wrong with more education. You will see higher returns on investments in your human capital the earlier you start. If your company will pay for the education, even better.
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
Last time I encountered it was when I noticed a drop in quality of service from a vendor rep. I asked him how his MBA was going, he said "Fine, thanks for asking.", not realizing he never told me he was in MBA school.
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
Maui
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
TTFN
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RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
I am planning on applying to and starting my MBA in the fall. Some of the factors that helped me reach this decision include: my consulting firm has identified me as a future leader and thus my firm is willing to pay for my MBA, the natural progression in a consulting company is to move into positions requiring managerial skills (finance, marketing, negotiations, motivation), and I believe it will help open doors earlier (leading teams, access bigger clients, etc.(
Personally, I would not start my MBA if I did not already have a MASc as technical excellence is, and will remain, the foundation of my consulting position.
Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds - Albert Einstein
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
If you get your PE, you can ACTUALLY go into business and promote yourself to CEO without an MBA. Everybody has an MBA. A person who is inclined to do well in business will be able to recognize that it introduces you to a game nearing zero sums.
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
However, like many others have said it is really up to you to decide which path to go down.
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
Most of the PE's I know won't sign a calc. They got the PE for their business card.
I think the PE process is a joke anyways, in America that is. Some engineer employed by the government is going to determine if I'm competent or not in a field that they may or may not be proficient at? I don't think so. I graduated from a university that is certified by the state. That and an awareness of the civil responsibilities that come with my profession should be more than enough to register as a professional. So I am a conscientious objector to the PE process.
If I see someone with a PE, I am immediately suspect. There are obvious exceptions, such as Civil and Structural engineers who are often required to stamp designs. But that doesn't change the fact that the process is fallacious.
Most of the engineers I know who got MBA's weren't the best engineers. They were career-minded individuals. So in that sense, they were right to get MBA's, because they just couldn't wait to climb the ladder.
To me, I just couldn't understand it. In my simple mind, an engineer wants to be an engineer. Why suffer through an engineering undergrad program if you just want to shoot your way into management? These people seem unstable mentally to me. There are rare exceptions, such as someone who has reached the pinnacle of his technical career and his company wants him to get an MBA to advance.
When I worked for Northrop, an engineer took the helm. Someone said to him, "it's great to see an engineer in charge!" He quickly replied, "well I have an MBA too". I though: so what, so did the idiots at Enron.
Masters and PhD's depends on your field and who you want to work for. I only have a BSME, but almost completed a BSEE and had enough graduate course work that I should have probably just finished a Masters as well. But to me, the titles weren't as important as the knowledge. So I just overloaded on coursework and made sure to finish at least one degree before my GI bill ran out.
I've interviewed a bunch of recent graduates with the title of "BSME", which should mean something. Apparently it doesn't anymore because most that I've interviewed don't even know how an internal combustion engine works. That's only the most significant invention up until the computer and most of us use it daily. So to me, titles don't mean anything any more. It's really about how the rubber hits the road.
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
I got my MBA at night after work and it took 5 years but I didn't spend $200,000 to get it by quitting work and losing years of income and paying high tuition. In fact, my companies reimbursed me for my fees and books. Overall, I think it makes me a better engineer. I have saved my company $5 million dollars in the past 15 years and I think the number would be a lot lower if I didn't get my MBA. Accountants tend to audit engineering cost in their own way and engineers don't often understand why. My courses in those same areas helped me communicate with the accounting team and others to get the numbers corrected and in my favor.
I was reading business books all the time anyway, I thought I might as well get the degree. It's up to you and depends on your situation, but both degrees will be very hard to get while working so think about it carefully. It will take you longer that you may assume. Do not expect to get a CEO job when you get out. I sure didn't.
I also don't make a lot more money with it, although I believe it's looked upon favorably by most people at my business favorably. It may have helped me keep my job more than once. If anything, some people see it as another goal (a hard one) that you set for yourself and you finished. I had my boss ask about my MBA at a dinner with other employees. One of my co-workers said, "I started my MBA, too, back years ago.." and my boss said "yes, but he finished his."
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
As far as MBA degrees go, I have bumped into way too many engineers who got their MBAs right out of school and I don't even know what it got them. I suppose there are studies that show an MBA pays itself off over the course of a career but I think that can get cloudy quick when you have programs that leave you in the hole 80-100k right out the door. My engineering MS was around 25k and the biggest cost was just my time.
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
If you get an MBA, then you need to push toward a position where that MBA makes sense and does something useful for you. Likewise for an MS.
That said, in this time of constant churn in employment, being a specialist or a manager potentially increases your chances of being laid off.
TTFN
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RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
Maui
RE: MBA VS MSc structural engineering?
Anecdotally, though, I noticed a certain type of person in the masters program. More specifically: DORKS.
These people seemed more like "professional students" than engineers. Book worms. People I probably wouldn't hire. I definitely felt a closer allegiance with those students that were more interested in building stuff in their spare time. You know, the guys with the dirty fingernails.
But that being said, there are a lot of institutions that need the bookworm types, places like our national labs and aerospace.
So I guess it depends on where you're headed as many have said.