MSME Specialize vs. Generalize
MSME Specialize vs. Generalize
(OP)
I am a Mechanical Engineer with 5 years experience and I recently enrolled in a non-thesis MSME degree program part-time. I am having a difficult time committing to an area of interest since I find Mechanics, Materials and Fluid Mechanics to be interesting areas. Also, these three areas all apply to my current job.
What are the Pros/Cons of specializing in one area vs. taking a few courses in each? If a Master's is a requirement for a job, do recruiters really care what courses you took or do they pay more attention to experience?
Thanks in advance
- Fring
What are the Pros/Cons of specializing in one area vs. taking a few courses in each? If a Master's is a requirement for a job, do recruiters really care what courses you took or do they pay more attention to experience?
Thanks in advance
- Fring





RE: MSME Specialize vs. Generalize
David Simpson, PE
MuleShoe Engineering
In questions of science, the authority of a thousand is not worth the humble reasoning of a single individual. Galileo Galilei, Italian Physicist
RE: MSME Specialize vs. Generalize
If you plan to be in academia or research/specialized consulting, having a specific focus would certainly be valuable.
Anecdotally, I took a very broad assortment of courses in my MS (2 dynamics, 2 soils, 3 structural design, and a fatigue/fracture course), and that has served me well working in the general consulting world -- I've developed a reputation as the jack-of-all-trades around the office.
Let's face it, most recruiters don't know whether three graduate course in some advanced subject are any better than one course. They're typically just looking for the credential. Your interviewer, on the other hand, may be more insightful.
RE: MSME Specialize vs. Generalize
My degree was thesis-based, but I was going the non-thesis route and lucked into a project/thesis. I don't believe my thesis has had any appreciable affect on my job selection, and in a number of cases I would likely have had a better shot at a position with some extra class info rolling around in my head.
Dan - Owner
http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com
RE: MSME Specialize vs. Generalize
RE: MSME Specialize vs. Generalize
RE: MSME Specialize vs. Generalize
-Fring