SE going back for Masters

[B16A2]

I work for an A/E firm. Been 5 years since my BS and recently passed the SE2 exam. I'm used to doing a variety of work up to mid rise buildings and am considered the "senior engineer" in the department as everyone else is fresh grad under 2yrs experience. As such, I've moved up the pay scale fairly quickly, but feel my technical skills have hit a brick wall since there's no other engineers above me and the company is stingy about training.

Due to my life situation, I have the opportunity to go to one of the top Structural Schools in the nation full ride on an assistantship several hundred miles away. No house, no kids, no debt, and wife wants to go back to school.

Do you think I'm nuts for giving up good pay to get a quality MS? I'm not looking for a big payout, but some advantage would be nice. Am excited to take advanced concrete, steel, and dynamics courses. I just want some opinions from those who may have done something similar.

 

[JAE]

Sheesh....I'd go for it.

I got a Masters right before I got married and was very glad that I did.

plus....forgive me.....College is Fun!

 

[JAE]

And according to the motto of Faber College (in the movie Animal House):

[blue]Knowledge is Good[/blue]

 

[abusementpark]

Just out of curiosity, what areas do you find your technical skills from the BS are lacking? Are you having analyze things where you don't fully understand the behavior? I am just wondering what's really inspiring your to get the MS.

 

[hokie66]

Do it! I went straight into grad school after I got my BS, but it is better if possible to gain some experience in a design office first. That way, you know what you don't know.

 

[msquared48]

Better watch it. The minute you go back to school, you will have kids! Life just works out that way. Good luck.



Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[Qshake]

Go for it! I received my masters (SE emphasis) while working (after my BS) and though it was fun, it was a struggle (also had wife and kids). It took three years to complete. You can be done in two and really enjoy the experience.

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[B16A2]

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys.

abusementpark, I feel my BS introduced the basics and allowed me to teach myself how to design per code. Though, it left out or only briefly touched many subjects so I don't necessarily have a full grasp of what's going on. Not saying that a MS will clear everything up, but at least will give me a chance to catch my breath and figure more out.

Plus, it seems like most of the engineering firms who really have their act together are run by those who have MS degrees. I'm also a proponent of the boss being more educated than the workers, and hope to be in that position one day.

 

[Qshake]

B16A2 - Don't underestimate the experience. If you have really good teachers and put into it the effort necessary, the experience will help you understand the code much better than you ever thought of before. It will make you much more confident and that alone will pay dividends in your work.

Regards,
Qshake

Eng-Tips Forums:Real Solutions for Real Problems Really Quick.

 

[GregLocock]

"I feel my BS introduced the basics and allowed me to teach myself how to design per code. Though, it left out or only briefly touched many subjects so I don't necessarily have a full grasp of what's going on. "

Oh dear. My 3 year course has allowed me to design many different things that have never been seen before and extend our understanding of physical/biological principles in certain admittedly not wildly important areas.



Cheers

Greg Locock

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

 

[csd72]

Think about how much that paper means to you.

If it is not for the piece of paper then it will definitely be cheaper to do one or two day courses in the areas of your weaknesses.

Not saying you shouldn't, just saying that you should think hard about all your options.

 

[HgTX]

Do it! You'll have much more interesting job prospects when you get out. And if it's a top structural program, those prospects will come looking for you.

I went to grad school right after my B.S. with a lot of misgivings. On the one hand, I'd had a miserable time in grad school in a different field. But on the other hand, I felt like I knew so little with the B.S. that I couldn't imagine what kind of job I could get that would be at all interesting.

I went to a "top school" as well, and the major firms came recruiting for us. I took a lowly government job for personal reasons, but most of my classmates were headed for nice positions. I didn't hear of anyone who couldn't find a job or was having to settle for the kind of work they didn't really want to do (except for those trying to get teaching positions; academic job hunts are always rough). You'll be ahead of your peers because on top of the degree you'll also have an engineering license and years of experience.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[Teguci]

A friend and I got offered positions at the same company out of college. He had a Masters and I just had a lowly Bachelors. The offering for a Masters was only $2 grand more per year. I feel that experience has more than made up for the loss of education.

I have at times felt the need for additional information and have received it by doing research and asking questions. Instead of losing 2 years at a career, dedicate yourself to learning more on your own.

Call up your old college and ask a professor there what he recommends for reading on " " subject.

My opinion, a Masters is good for the coorporate resume, but a 15 year engineer is worth well more.

 

[HgTX]

Newbie with a master's vs. 15-year engineer not a fair comparison. BS w/15 years vs. MS w/13 years, better comparison. Does it make a huge differene in the long run? Maybe not much. Does it open certain doors sooner? Yes. Enough to make a difference? Depends on the individuals, the kind of doors they're interested in, and the kinds of doors, whether open or closed, they happen to come across.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[JAE]

For structural, I think the salary comparisons done by NSPE over the years indicates about a $2000 to $5000 per year difference for a Masters.

The main thing for me was that I for once really understood what the heck I was doing. The Masters Degree gave me that - the B.S. degree was just limited.

 

[B16A2]

Teguci, point well taken, but based on my experience there's only so much you can self teach and fully understand in a 50 hr work week unless you have some really great mentors. Plus, when it's all said and done, you're putting in a lot of work to self teach and not receiving the credentials.

 

[abusementpark]

It seems to me that the structural engineering firms that design high-profile structures (ie high-rise buildings, sports arenas and stadiums, large theatres and conventions centers, etc) won't even consider you unless you have a Master's.

 

[rtmote]

I did my masters and it was the fastest and most intensive year of my life, even better than the PhD because it covered so much ground. Brilliant storehouse of relevant information and knowledge to last you a long time.

Be sure to check on strength and focus of the school and the staff, their research programs an so on.

The money will be there later but not the opportunity. You will see the world differently.

Robert Mote

http://www.motagg.com

 

[frv]

Do it!!!

I obtained my BS with a wife and a child and it was not easy. Now I am in the masters program, with a brand new child. Not easy!!

You'll never have this opportunity again. I am luck in that I live in a city with a great school with world-class professors (the kind of people who are cited throughout the codes). It is an unbelievable experience to learn from people like that. It is only because I live here that I am able to attend the masters. But it will take me five years to complete!! if you can take a two year hiatus and obtain a masters, why not?

Just make sure you realize your income, and consequently your lifestyle will drop for two years. You may even be able to talk to your company about coming back when you complete it. It is a great marketing tool to tell clients that you have highly trained engineers.

Just out of curiosity, what school do you have the opportunity to attend?