MSc in Mechanical Engineering
MSc in Mechanical Engineering
(OP)
Dear fellow members,
A little background:
I'm a pretty much new mechanical engineering currently working for the Oil & Gas Industry. I don't have much experience yet - I would say about 2 years of experience in both equipment design (both pressure vessels and heat exchangers) and some projects where I provided pipe stress analysis under my belt.
If it's useful, I'd also add that I graduated relatively recently. In 2016 to be more specific.
I'm researching into what field to pursuit in a master in mechanical engineering, both to give my career a push and because it's something that i've always wanted to do. Not to start next year, but to keep it in the back of my mind so that I can prepare myself financially to tackle this next challenge in the upcoming years.
Now, the thing is - of course, I want the postgraduate studies to be alligned with my line of work.
In my organization, most mechanical engineers have taken management postgraduate studies or else, worked for many years with an undergraduate degree, so I don't much of an example to follow. I understand that a lot of master programs require us applicants to choose a field of research before enrolling. Can you provide me with some insight/examples on this?
A little background:
I'm a pretty much new mechanical engineering currently working for the Oil & Gas Industry. I don't have much experience yet - I would say about 2 years of experience in both equipment design (both pressure vessels and heat exchangers) and some projects where I provided pipe stress analysis under my belt.
If it's useful, I'd also add that I graduated relatively recently. In 2016 to be more specific.
I'm researching into what field to pursuit in a master in mechanical engineering, both to give my career a push and because it's something that i've always wanted to do. Not to start next year, but to keep it in the back of my mind so that I can prepare myself financially to tackle this next challenge in the upcoming years.
Now, the thing is - of course, I want the postgraduate studies to be alligned with my line of work.
In my organization, most mechanical engineers have taken management postgraduate studies or else, worked for many years with an undergraduate degree, so I don't much of an example to follow. I understand that a lot of master programs require us applicants to choose a field of research before enrolling. Can you provide me with some insight/examples on this?





RE: MSc in Mechanical Engineering
I pursued mine because "it's something i've always wanted to do," also. But my chosen field was Manufacturing Engineering. My degree helped open a number of doors that would not have been open otherwise. It also helped distinguish my skills & talents from the "Manufacturing Engineers without degrees" that are common in US manufacturing industries. I feel it has served me well.
I also caution you about the MS program you choose. Many university MS programs are nothing more than a skills-building exercise and preparation for entry into their Ph.D. program. You have to evaluate what skills & content you will get out of your investment and decide if it has any perceived benefit to your career.
TygerDawg
Blue Technik LLC
Virtuoso Robotics Engineering
www.bluetechnik.com
RE: MSc in Mechanical Engineering
Thank you so much for your personal experience.
Yes. I've also read a lot of answers where other engineers have stated that a masters actually hurt them when looking for a job due to circumstances such as having advanced education but not enough experience, etc.
That is one of the reasons why I'd like to align an MSc with my current line of work (pressure vessel design and pipe stress analysis), so that I can actually apply the theory.
Coursing a PhD is not currently in my to-do list, though I don't entirely discard it either.
RE: MSc in Mechanical Engineering
I got my MSME because I wanted it. I'm glad I got it. It did not result in advancement withing my company, but it might have helped at layoff time since I never got laid off.
I've done a lot of consulting work with pressure vessel manufacturers (and have several patents in related areas) and my MS (emphasis in fluid mechanics and thermodynamics) has been quite useful in that field. I'm not sure that a mechanism's emphasis would have been as useful in pressure-vessel work.
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: MSc in Mechanical Engineering
Financially speaking, you could seek funding and even a stipend for doing your MSME. You won't get rich nor will you starve. Most of my cohorts didn't pay anything out of pocket.
Career wise, I believe it depends a lot on how you use it. It may or may not help your advancement up the career ladder of choice. Odds are it would but there is no guarantees.
Good luck!
Jason
RE: MSc in Mechanical Engineering
-JFPE