Should I pursue further education? (master's degree)

[voodoored123]

I currently have a aeronautical engineering degree and would like your opinion whether I should further get a master's degree? I'm looking to major in Mechanical or Industrial. My reason for doing this is to enhance my capabilities and further get job opportunities on a higher level at companies, airlines, etc. So, I would like to know your opinion, or if this is even necessary at all. Thank you all! Godbless!

 

[rb1957]

apologies, but the answer is "do or do not". A Masters may open some doors (if you are looking for a job in the discipline you did your Masters in, where the extra learning and specialisation has some value) but it could close others (ie employers could see you as specialised).

I'll assume you got into Engineering 'cause you like it (and not because you see it as a step towards management nor because you think you'll get rich doing it). Then if there's a specialisation that particularly interests you then maybe go for your Masters. Remember that your Masters is an investment of time and money that maybe the future does not repay (other than you sense of fulfillment).

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?

 

[Sparweb]

What do you actually want to do every day? To "enhance your capabilities" is too vague for me to understand if you want to do CFD analysis, system design, avionic integrations, or turn wrenches?

STF

 

[GregLocock]

We just had an able engineer applying for a supervisor's job in the same department. Career progression, right? Then his co-workers pointed out he'd stop doing what he liked, playing with cars (sorry, engineering), and start doing lots more of things that clerks used to do. Timecards.

Decide what you want to do, then get the qualification if it will help.

Cheers

Greg Locock


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[stressguyMike]

I am a 30 year stress guy. While at Boeing in the 90's, I took advantage of a Boeing program through the University of Washington & I obtained a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. My lead back then was a German stress guy & he encouraged all his young protégés, me included, to continue their education.

While I didn't receive any direct & immediate financial benefit at that time, other than Boeing paying for it all, the MSME has been invaluable for me as a stress guy.

Specifically, the higher order Master's level subjects such as Fracture Mechanics, Elasticity, Adhesion Mechanics, Inelasticity, & Heat Transfer have been invaluable to me in my stress career. Also, I am a life long learner & the MSME provided a much broader platform to build upon.

I have mentored many young stress engineers & I always encourage them to continue or enhance their education.

My two cents!

Good luck.

 

[rb1957]

but continued education doesn't need to be formal (and expensive) degrees. You can do a lot online if you have the discipline to keep to it.

another day in paradise, or is paradise one day closer ?