MBA VS MSc structural engineering? 10

[malikasal]

Guys, i am a structural engineer (FE) with 4 years of experience in steel structures , i am thinking of adding some mor letters after my name by getting the PE this year and starting a master programme, i am appealing to the experienced engineers in this fantastic forum, lets start voting (MBA VS Msc).



ôIf you don't build your dream someone will hire you to help build theirs.ö

Tony A. Gaskins Jr.

 

[HamburgerHelper]

I don't know who said having an MS was questionable. The salary surveys clearly show that over the span of a career it is worthwhile moneywise. Though, I think that should be the least reason important reason to go to graduate school. The main reason, I would hope, is that you want to be an expert in your field. Anyone going to graduate school not knowing what they want to do or just are doing it because it is a good "idea" is probably wasting their time. I wish graduate schools would recommend candidates to work a few years before applying just so they have an idea what they should focus on.

As far as MBA degrees go, I have bumped into way too many engineers who got their MBAs right out of school and I don't even know what it got them. I suppose there are studies that show an MBA pays itself off over the course of a career but I think that can get cloudy quick when you have programs that leave you in the hole 80-100k right out the door. My engineering MS was around 25k and the biggest cost was just my time.

 

[IRstuff]

MBAs and MSs are only worth what YOU make of them. There were MSs and PhDs that were doing the same thing I was doing, so they're basically wasted. Likewise, if you get an MBA, but don't avail yourself to management-related jobs, it's essentially worthless. No one is going to give you a raise 5 yrs from now for your MBA gotten this year; raises are almost always about, "What have you done for me lately?"

If you get an MBA, then you need to push toward a position where that MBA makes sense and does something useful for you. Likewise for an MS.

That said, in this time of constant churn in employment, being a specialist or a manager potentially increases your chances of being laid off.

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[Maui]

One thing is for certain: an advanced degree guarantees you nothing. It may serve a purpose, depending upon the career path that is chosen. But its ultimate worth can only be determined by the individual who earned it.

Maui

 

[clouser]

I didn't finish my MSME, but I was close. Mainly, I just wanted to take the graduate-level classes for the knowledge. The added letters would be nice on the business card, granted.

Anecdotally, though, I noticed a certain type of person in the masters program. More specifically: DORKS.

These people seemed more like "professional students" than engineers. Book worms. People I probably wouldn't hire. I definitely felt a closer allegiance with those students that were more interested in building stuff in their spare time. You know, the guys with the dirty fingernails.

But that being said, there are a lot of institutions that need the bookworm types, places like our national labs and aerospace.

So I guess it depends on where you're headed as many have said.