Would it be better to obtain a Masters degree in Engineering or Business Administration?

Question

I already have a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering and several years of work experience. However, it has been quite some time since I've ever had to do any form of circuit analysis or engage in heavy mathematical computations. Therefore, I've grown rather weak in those abilities.

Yet, I do have some inkling of a desire to obtain a Masters degree, primarily driven by the desire to obtain a better economic status. Hence, would I be more successful with an MSEE or an MBA? I would assume that an MBA would open more doors for me, as there are far more positions available in this field than for an MSEE. I would also assume that an MBA has the greater potential for a higher paying salary. Does anyone here have any advice to offer along these lines?

Answer 1

You are right that an MBA would open more doors -- especially if you go to a highly rated program. It sounds like you have gotten away from the detailed work. Unless you have a desire to get back into it, I'd say go for the MBA.

Most MBA programs allow you to take several classes outside of the business school that apply to the MBA. At Duke, I think it was four. There is no reason why you couldn't go for an MBA and take a few EE classes. That way, you could brush up on the EE.

If you enjoy those classes, you could switch into a joint MBA-MSEE program.

Answer 2

It basically depends on which way you want to steer yourself and see yourself happiest. You could have the nicest degree in the most prestigious field, but if you don't like doing the work, the degree might as well be used for toilet paper. Soo, if you think you might want to run your own business of some sort, I'd go with Business Admin, if not, go for Engineering and further your skills in that direction.

Main point is, what is going to make you happy, that is what is going to matter after all the time spent working on a MBA.

Answer 3

I was faced with the same decision 20 years ago. I opted to stay technical, and enrolled in an MS program in Engineering (Plastics Engineering), and have not regretted it. It opened up opportunities in Senior Engineering positions very quickly; much more so than with just my BS. Also, MS in Engineering is excellent training to make you a better engineer in industry, to think more analytically and progress like a thesis:

Define of the problem
Develop method to investigate
Conduct study (perform testing to prove your hypothesis)
Analyze data to support premise
Declare conclusions and recommendations

I did my graduate work at night, while working during the day. Although it was demanding, I enjoyed the graduate school experience, as the professors truly seemed to respect and value the experience of the students, who were out in industry. It made the classroom discussions valuable, and you learned as much from your classmates as you did from your teacher.

Also, the "competition" that seemed to exist between classmates in undergrad was not evident in grad school, as most students had a job, and were looking to network with their "colleagues".

I found that most of the principles learned in MBA programs can be picked up in industry, as well as business seminars that you end up taking along the way.

An MBA may make it easier and quicker to get into Management (managing people, such as becoming a Director of Engineering), if that is your goal. MS in Engineering will make it easier to obtain senior technical positions (Principle Engineer, Project Management, etc.).

Ironically, I am now in line for management positions, just because of my work experience, even though I do not have an MBA.

Good luck.

Answer 4

I believe that with all the experience you've got (several years of work experience) u should understand by now what u want. Although i don't know the field u're working with now so i won't be able to make too much comment on this issue but from your question I gathered that whatever you are doing definetely has a little to do with engineering. So my advice is this, if u're comfortable with it and wish to continue with it then definitely a masters in Business Administration is better but if u wish to polish up ur engineering skill and therefore change over to engineering work then, our guess is as good as mine go ahead with MSEE.

Hope u find this information useful