M.S. in Bioengineering? 1

[nchockey]

I am one year away from completing my undergrad in Bioprocess Engineering, and am strongly considering grad school.

My reasons are:
1) Higher starting salary
2) Better job options
3) For my own personal satisfaction

Problem is, as much as I enjoy engineering, I doubt I'll be making a career of it. I plan on at some point going into business in the Biotech/Biopharmaceutical area, most likely getting an MBA.

My question is, what is the better track: BS>MBA or BS>MS>MBA?

I figure getting an MS can't hurt, but if I don't plan on staying in engineering, is it really worth my time and money?

I know this topic has been done to death, and I apologize, but I wanted some advice specific to my situation.

Thanks

 

[l3city]

check answers to thread731-161069
See ya!!

 

[Beggar]

If you don't plan to be an engineer, don't get a Master's degree. However, since you have no work experience, don't bother with an MBA.

Go out, get a job, and figure out what the real world is like in your chosen company and field. Then, once you're sure about what you want and you have some experience to offer along with a graduate degree, go back for whichever of the two is best suited to help you achieve your goals.



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[l3city]

Beggar: "If you don't plan to be an engineer, don't get a Master's degree"

I do not agree with getting a Master's makes you an engineer. I respect your opinion though. I think you can have the highest education ever from the best college in the world, and still receive some kicks in the butt by an experienced old & funny electrical, mechanical (or whatever) contractor.

CAD fellas teach engineers, check thread731-162056

nchockey:
whatever you are going to do, enjoy it, sometimes you get the highest educ. and end up in a very crapy job, school helps, but experience is the best school.

 

[GregLocock]

l3city, way to go, twisting Beggar's sensible advice into a Strawman.



Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[nchockey]

Yes, either way I wouldn't plan on going straight into an MBA program. I guess I should have put BS>MS>engineer>MBA and BS>engineer>MBA.

I guess what I'm trying to figure out is if, in the end, getting an MS would have been worth it.

I'm also looking at not only the long term, but short term benefits:

Will the extra salary I make in the years up to the MBA pay off the debt from the MS? Will I end up being in a relatively equal financial state when I get my MBA, but with extra knowledge and qualification?
Or will I be worse off from student debts and a couple of years behind in my career with no real gain?

Having many interests and aptitudes and a problem with indecision has always been my curse.

Thanks to everyone for advice.

 

[Beggar]

It's unlikely that the BS/MS will earn you much more out of the gate than the BS alone. The issue is that you still have no experience, only school.

I'm of the opinion that a Master's in anything is much better done *after* you have some real-world experience from which to draw during your studies. Your learning will be much more effective since you'll be able to relate the material to actual problems and situations that you've seen.

However, if your ambition is to go the MBA track, I'd forego the MS in engineering, anyway. Unless, that is, you're from a well-off family and can afford to go to school just for the academic joy of it. (I happen to love school and would be perfectly happy to do it forever if I could afford to.)

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[Quantum50]

Beggar's right. I personally am glad I waited 12 years to start my MS. Why? My employer is paying for it. I didn't rack up additional debt and interest. It's like a bonus on top of my salary. And the classes I'm in are filled with like minded professionals with experience. The instructors are cognizant of our additional responsibilities in addition to the class work.

Works for me!

 

[nchockey]

Well, my only concern with waiting to get the MS is that I'm pretty sure I eventually want to get an MBA. Waiting numerous years to first get the MS would only delay the MBA.

I guess at this point I'll clarify the question:

If I eventually want to get an MBA after 7 years of work as an engineer, would it be beneficial to get an MS in engineering?

And no, my family wouldn't be putting me through. I'd have to pay off the debt for the MS.

So far it seems like most people are for skipping the MS if an MBA is the goal. Is this the consensus?

 

[l3city]

nchockey:
In my opinion, it is a matter of what you want. Some engineers get their Bachelors Science, get a Professional License, they go for design and that's it. Some engineers (bussines owners) have a MBA some others not. Others go for research (i.e. in this case a MS) or work for a company doing research and investigation for the rest of their carreer.

The point here is to be as close as happy/satisfied as you can be with what you do or what you want in your professional and personal/private life.

Life is short, enjoy...

 

[Beggar]

Let me turn the question around on you.

What benefits do you imagine you might realize by staying in school for a couple more years to earn an MS rather than getting on with your career and then earning your MBA?

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How much do YOU owe?

http://www.brillig.com/debt_clock/

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