Do engineers that do design work need a graduate degree?

Question

I really like the design aspect of engineering and i might try to do that. However, i have heard lately that alot of companies want engineers with a masters degree. Is this correct? I really dont see myself going to grad school, atleast not soon. Right now, i dont really have the grades to get in. If i were to go to grad school, i would want to go to the school im attending now, but they want a 3.0 to get it, but i dont have that.

Answer 1

Same question i had when i graduated,
I can say that if you don't get a job right after college that will be related to design, it will be very hard to get into (not hard to do, but hard to get into), because employers will look at your experience to see if your'e a good fit for a job AND right after college they know you don't have any experience anywhere.
unfortunately i got a job doung support and becuse of that i got labeled as a "support engineer" and could NOT get into any design positions. SO, if design is what you want to do, DO NOT GET ANY JOB that does not relate to other than design(even if you get desperate for a job).
My 2 cents

Answer 2

I just have a BSEE and I do design work about 1/2 the time. However, I do have over 20 years of experience.

When I first started, I didn't do any design work. It wasn't until after the first year with my first company that I did any real design work. Before that I did field work, and a little software development in the lab.

So, you could get your feet "in the door" and wait it out. Even with an MS degree right out of college most companies won't let you go to work on serious designs immediately. There will be some level of on-the-job training. It may be a month, or 6 months before you could be on a design team, for real.

With a BS degree you'd be waiting a little longer to 'prove' yourself.

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Answer 3

It really depends on what you are designing.

If you are doing aero-space work or state of the art structures (like the world's tallest building) then a advanced degree is a big asset.

If you are talking about more down to earth designs then a BS is sufficient but in any case, experience is still needed to get the plum assignments