Graduate school?

Question

The retirement of many baby boomers as well as the desire for more engineers means that companies are highering more and at a higher pay. Is it worth it to go to graduate school for two years before entering the work force? Those two years could be more influential in your career working rather than obtaining a degree. I plan on going into technical consulting, eventually obtaining an MBA and going into the corporate world. Does that change anything? I'm currently a Junior pursuing a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering as well as a B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Illinois U-C. Thanks.

if you could get me a summer internship in chicago, that'd be even better...

Answer 1

Good question. I am also a mechanical engineer and entered the workforce after receiving my B.S. Here is my opinion......if someone is planning on entering the workforce in the manufacturing and design sectors I don't think the career advancement opportunities and compensation will justify a M.S. However, as you stated above in your question, if you have plans on entering the consulting sector then an advanced degree would be very justifiable due to the addtional doors that will be opened and the compensation will follow suit.

Answer 2

I think that to be a technical consultant, you would want a PE certification for your area. Certainly a MSE will help your career as a consultant as it lends credence to your qualifications. If your grades are very good, and you have a good work ethic, then you may be better off to snag a really prestigious entry level job. A standard entry level job may not teach you enough in 2 to 5 years to consult.

I think many or most engineering grads aren't doing what they thought the would be doing a few years after graduation - that's what's good about an engineering degree, it gives you a lot of flexibility.

Answer 3

I obtained my BSEE and went to work for McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis (now Boeing). After working about one year, I began working on my MSEE which I obtained after about two years. You might want to consider this route because many companies will pay or partially pay for your advanced degree. The upside is that you get the degree for free while also obtaining work experience. The downside is that for about two years you will be kept pretty busy in the evenings after work.

I think it was worth it and I wouldn't have wanted to stay on campus to get the degree.