OT: advanced degree options - your perspective

To be honest I've always thought of grad school as something that probably isn't worth my while - in terms of opportunity cost. Having innumerable TAs that I wouldn't hire did help the cause. Not that you can't get a lot out of a good program, but rather I'd never seen my long term future as a: researcher, programmer, engineer, specialist, etc. I'd always aspired toward business, management, or something else. If I did ever go back to school, I thought, it'd be for an MBA. On the other end of the spectrum, I might happily work for a small integrator who could care less about expensive pieces of paper.
Well, it looks like opportunity may be arising. For me, the options would be:

Electrical Engineering (the scary beast)
Computer Science (not exactly broadening my horizons, but what the heck)
Various Space options (Interesting, but nowhere near what I ever saw myself doing)
Information Systems (The "easy one")

So the first question is, would an employer really care between degrees, given that it's not directly applicable to the job? In other words, is the EE degree going to impress anyone? Or will systems or space look like a joke? I would certainly have a lot more spare time in those 2 years if I choose an easier path.

Second major question set - is that degree worthwhile beyond what you learn? I'd rather work with a competant person, but making that determination isn't always easy or possible. Are there employment opportunities at your workplace that would be attainable with a masters degree?

My opinion, not based on any objective evidence is that the larger and more bureaucratic the organization, the more importance placed on paper credentials like degrees. If that's the type of place you expect to be working for, then the degree can help. At a larger organization, you'll be more likely to spend a large percentage of your time on tasks that use what you've learned in the course of obtaining that degree.

A smaller organization is less likely to be as concerned with paper credentials as with your ability to get the job done. However, you will be less specialized there and likely to find yourself doing tasks that don't necessarily utilize your skillset to the fullest advantage.

Also, if you're going to be using headhunters as a tool in your job search, the paper credentials will be more important. The individual at the agency doesn't know jack about the job he's finding a candidate for, so all he can do is match your credentials against the job's requirements.

As far as payback, I don't see a Master in any Engineering as worthwhile, in dollar term. A MBA from a "good" program are always worth it, IF that's where you want to go.

The problem with small or even big integrator is, well, money. Unless you are a partner in the business I just don't see many integrator pay anywhere near say, F500 companies. A PE is helpful if you stay on the tech side, however and worth more than a Master if you stay technical.

Does a degree matters? Depends, you can't be a lawyer or MD if you don't have a degree (However, I think in California you don't need degree to pass bar).

most places I've ever checked with usually require some sort of diploma level degree many will hire if its similarly based to what they are looking for never met any company that specified a Masters degree and never seen any yet that offer a higher pay scale if you have one

I have a Masters but I found it easier to get a job if I left it off the resume. Unless a Masters degree is required or specified, then you will most likely be considered over-qualified. This is especially true if the person you will be reporting to has lesser academic qualifications. By all means go after one - if only for yourself. You can always pull the rabbit out of the hat at a later time.

I think it just depends on what you want to do. Spend some time thinking about it, and go for one!

I'm an EE with a MBA. Luckily I was able to work in the controls industry part time while working for the university as a TA (read: free tuition + stipend). I enjoy the technical side, but know I eventually want to progress into management. I'm interested in business, finance, investment, etc in general, so that also influenced my decision for the MBA.

I don't see the point in a master's in EE for the majority of the controls industry. I would see working experience as more helpful to a controls engineer's career. As Steve mentioned, integrators need someone able to get the job done.

Good Luck,

Justin

If you want to remain in any kind of position that actually does work then I wouldnt bother with the extra degree.

If your aim is to climb the slippery ladder and 'manage' for a living I'm sure it'll help. Just remember the higher you go the less use you are to the troops in the trenches.

"A smaller organization is less likely to be as concerned with paper credentials as with your ability to get the job done. However, you will be less specialized there and likely to find yourself doing tasks that don't necessarily utilize your skillset to the fullest advantage."

I work for a small(ish) integration company and believe me, I utilize my skillset (and then some) to the fullest as there aint all the 'managers' and 'specialists' to do all the helping (or hindering)like you get in a big corporation. That does depend on how broad your skillset is to begin with though. Alot of the most useful skills in my opinion cant be taught in any school.

Nathan,

My experience took me to work in a research center after two years of college (no degree) and a two year technical diploma in Electronics Engineering Technology. It was a hassle at times but I made up for it by solving problems from which others walked away. I wound up the #3 man in the organization, below the VP and the General Manager, out of about 100 people.

Having said that, I must tell you that being on my own for the last three years has been great. I cannot recommend it strongly enough. I'm better off now working 2 or 3 days a week than I ever was making someone else rich.

My advise is to move around a bit with an eye toward developing the ability to solve problems for the corporations rather than working for them as an employee.

I wish you well,

Bob A.

Bob A. said:

Nathan,

My experience took me to work in a research center after two years of college (no degree) and a two year technical diploma in Electronics Engineering Technology. It was a hassle at times but I made up for it by solving problems from which others walked away. I wound up the #3 man in the organization, below the VP and the General Manager, out of about 100 people.

Having said that, I must tell you that being on my own for the last three years has been great. I cannot recommend it strongly enough. I'm better off now working 2 or 3 days a week than I ever was making someone else rich.

My advise is to move around a bit with an eye toward developing the ability to solve problems for the corporations rather than working for them as an employee.

I wish you well,

Bob A.

Click to expand...

I like your tag line, mind if I borrow/steal it?

I have a few others in mind but I haven't got the right twist yet. Help yourself ! By the way, I have read yours quite a few times also!

Best Regards,

Bob A.

Thanks all for the advise - it was fairly in tune with what I expected, and brought up informative specific points.

The post was also a bit of a Bureaucracy-O-Meter, and, as I suspected, PLCS.NET members seem to work for a living. The same question prompted very different responses among many of my friends who work for, or are contractors for, the federal government. Then again, they consider a security clearance to be really valuable for no other reason than having one. Guess I can punch my own ticket to a middle income salary job that I don't really want in DC. Sweet.

One potential personal ambition that I've had is really specializing in network security. Truly becoming an expert, then applying it to the industrial field, where it's badly needed sounds interesting. To that end, over the next couple years I will get a lot more experience, training, and certs (CISSP, CCNA/CCNP, and updated MCSE are the big ones, with many minor ones: Security+, Network+, etc). Working on a CS masters degree, I would then do research in the field of security, hopefully with a SCADA focus. The best next step would be landing a position on a "Red/Blue Team". Then I'd be qualifed to tell you things like, "don't share passwords".

I have found (mostly personal experience) that the BS degree will get you in the door. Most companies see the MS degree as overkill - someone who wishes to be in research or teaching rather than executing.


I have a BSEE, then obtained my PE and PMP. So, I find that I get more respect and opportunity with my PE than with anything else.