Career Choices 3

[tcomh]

Wow!
I stumbled upon this forum thru a google search and I have been pleasantly surprised by the variablity and scope of advice available.

I have found a few posts addressing the nature of my question, but none addressing it particularly.

I started working in the construction field right after high school and always found myself too busy and making too much money to take time off for school - until some life changing events occured.

I am currently one semester away from graduating with a Civil BSE and have been working as an intern for about 8 months. I originally intended on going straight into grad school to acquire a Master's in Engineering. Now I find myself very tired of school - and with a lot of conflicting advice. All my profs extoll the virtues of grad school, while my immediate supervisors (and virtually every one else in the field) indicate that job experience will serve my career path much better. I am not sure what to do.

I am an older student and have no intention of returning to school after this interlude is over. We are currently financially secure and reasonable tuition is not an issue. Sometime in the future I plan on opening my own consulting firm. The options I am considering are: an MBA, a Masters in Construction Management, a Masters in Enginerring, - all available at our local university - or work full time.

Will further education expedite career goals? Set me apart from the competition? Be a waste of time? Should I expect the grad program to any more difficult or more time demanding than the undergrad curriculum?

I have a tendency to think that I will regret not going if I decide not to, but the grad school commitment appears to be much more than I had originally anticipated. Or maybe the possibility of regret has more to do with an inherent need to appear consistent.

I would very much appreciate any advice.
Thanks in advance!

 

[franzh]

For my two bits, a BSME would let you practice in engineering. A PE states that you have taken the necessary certifications and presented yourself as a Professional Engineer, something which many contracts require, a PE signoff. A MSME may not have the same paper credentials as a PE, unless they obtain that also. A PhD ME is fine, but unless they tie a PE to it, a BSME PE may have more paper credibility (at least, as far as contracts go). BTW, most PhD's I know are more project managers who review their subordinates work and provide a final sign-off.
Now, the MBA adds some interesting features. A PE allows one to do some project design, the MBA provides project tracking, accounting practices.
If I were in the hiring position, I would like a PE with the MBA, preferably a MSME.
Here in Texas, a graduate MBA from the University of Texas in the top 30% of the class can command $60,000 one step from the campus. A graduate MSME in the low to mid 50's. Put the two together and possibly mid 80's.
Certificates or degrees equal salary. One may work 7-10 years for a 30% increase in salary, but spend 3 more years in college for the MSME and its there already. Dont get overcome by trophy hunting students. A 4 year BSME, with a 3 year MSME, followed by a 4 year PhD, then a MBA is probably not worth $120,000 despite spending 14 years in college! A well planned college curriculum with a goal determined no later than the second year is invaluable.
Franz

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