engineering school

[cdrazic93]

Attention all engineers:

What kind of degree do you have?

If you could get a masters or PhD in engineering what would you get it in and where? If you already have one where did you get it?

Im attempting my BA in vehicle design. (Vehicle based mechanical). And if im lucky, emphasis on lucky...i would be able to get into stanfords graduate program for a masters in electrical.

[stugray]

I have a BS in EE.

I have been working in Aerospace for ~20 years so technically now I am an Aerospace engineer.
However my electrical background is favorable in my discipline.
I build, test, and help fly spacecraft so electrical and software are key.

I have told both of my kids that when you enter college, choose an engineering discipline right off the bat, then WHEN you decide to change your major you will have far more options available without losing credits.
Engineering undergrad credits transfer to other majors easier than the other way around.

[dem00n]

Currently an engineering student.

I ask my professors if it's worth going into the same field for a masters and they always tell me No.

A lot of them tell me to pursue other degrees, take on programming or even business/management if i were to go for a masters.

It all depends on what you want to do exactly. Don't just go off and get degrees just because you think you'll like the field. Find out what you wanna do and aim for the degree that will help you get there.

Though i do understand you're not an engineering student, hope it helps.
Or doesn't help, that seems to do more in the long run.

[drewbot]

Graduated with Chemical Engineering Degree almost 4 years ago, never went back to get masters or PhD

Only way I would go back would to be in a different field, and if my employer was paying

[Gunman]

I have an AAS in Mechanical Technology, and currently work as a "design engineer". In the racing industry I can wear the "engineer" title, but when I was working aerospace I could only be called a "senior designer". Title doesn't mean much to me though. I've worked side by side with a guy that had a BS, and Masters in motorsports engineering. I'm not sure the extra paper helped, at least not at that time, but I'm sure in the future it may pay off.

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by Gunman

I have an AAS in Mechanical Technology, and currently work as a "design engineer". In the racing industry I can wear the "engineer" title, but when I was working aerospace I could only be called a "senior designer". Title doesn't mean much to me though. I've worked side by side with a guy that had a BS, and Masters in motorsports engineering. I'm not sure the extra paper helped, at least not at that time, but I'm sure in the future it may pay off.

I noticed you only have an AAS and yet you have more interesting job than 99% of us.

No regrets on not going any further with schooling?

[EstoBRZ]

I have a BS in ECE (electrical and computer).
My opinion: It really depends on the type of person you are, if you want to be a subject matter expert and dive deeper into something related to your undergrad work then get a Grad degree in your field (or engineering field). The MBA may be the overall smarter play if you're looking to become management on some level. I haven't gone back to school for a Grad degree yet because I've actually excelled in my current job so until I figure out what the ceiling here is I'm holding off. Part of me does miss college though...

[switchlanez]

I've got a BSEE and currently taking classes for a Master's in Wireless Embedded Systems (50% EE, 50% CS classes) part time while I work full time. Not many universities offer such a program but UCSD does, right in the "wireless valley" of San Diego as it has come to be known.

[jvincent]

Originally Posted by cdrazic93

Attention all engineers:

What kind of degree do you have?

If you could get a masters or PhD in engineering what would you get it in and where? If you already have one where did you get it?

Bachelors in EE.

I've been in management positions of varying levels for over 15 years now, but am still pretty hands on.

In my particular field, ASIC design, an advanced degree doesn't really help unless you are in process development or transistor level design.

For other fields, such as wireless protocols, an advanced degree can be pretty useful since the math is quite advanced.

The key, like anything, is to find something you enjoy and will enjoy doing for a long time. This is where going to a co-op school can be a big help because you will not only get relevant experience, but you will also see what the jobs are like.

[projekkt]

Bs cheme. No reason for graduate degree unless its free.

In a PhD program right now for a different major. Post graduation salary makes up for it.

[Tcoat]

Engineers went to school?
I always presumed the mothership just sent another one down when the last model became obsolete!

[strat61caster]

BS Mechanical Engineering, currently in Aerospace.

Depends on what you want to do, if you want to get hands on get into industry and start making money don't waste time with higher education at first, focus on good internships and good extracurriculars to target towards your ideal job, just a wild guess but get in on the SAE competitions (FSAE, Hybrid, Baja etc.). If you like academia, doing R&D stuff etc. (which I doubt since you're doing a more applied major) then continuing your education is essential, but even then you can go to work for a few years before shooting for a Masters.

I've heard the opinion several times that you should not pay for education after a Bachelors, someone should be willing to pay your way. Most companies offer tuition assistance for their employees, can be a difficult task to pull off though I've got coworkers who have spent 4+ years to get an MBA (a 2 year degree). Most universities offer stipends to their graduate students (at least in STEM fields) which basically pay them roughly just barely enough to keep a roof over their heads and food in their bellies.

In hindsight if I had the resources and drive I would have spread my education to a 5th year and put serious time into FSAE my two final years to land a job working in Automotive stuff, but that's an expensive gamble. I don't have much of an interest pursuing further education, digging deeper into Mechanical Engineering theoreticals only helps if your doing hard analysis: Structural, vibration, heat transfer, dynamics, fluids. All of which culminate in better design and planning and such but there's no reason you can't develop those skills on the job while collecting at least a middle class salary.

[Gunman]

Originally Posted by dem00n

I noticed you only have an AAS and yet you have more interesting job than 99% of us.

No regrets on not going any further with schooling?

I've wondered "what if" at times, but I enjoy what I'm doing. The added degree would have probably moved me up the pay chain more, but would I be having as much fun?

No regrets for me, your mileage may vary.

[Ramster]

I have my B.S. in Software Engineering. I'd like to go back and do an MBA in the next few years.