Can't decide between going for a MS or PhD

[Sukhoi]

Right now I have a BSME, and I'm not too happy with the job opportunities available. I've been out of school 5 years and all the jobs I have had (full range of manufacturing, test, and prod. dev.) are not all that mentally stimulating. It may be challenging to get the work done in the time allotted, but that's about all.

Thus I've decided to go back full-time for either a MS or PhD. In the end there actually won't be too huge of a financial difference because I'll be paying my own way for a MS, while PhD should be almost entirely funded. Am I correct that a PhD is needed to get out of the monotonous task-based jobs? I have a couple friends with MSMEs, and other than higher pay they don't seem to be getting anything different out of their jobs than I do with a BSME.

 

[Schadenfroh]

I'll be paying my own way for a MS

Personally, I would not attend graduate school if I had to pay for it out-of-pocket.

 

[busydude]

Am I correct that a PhD is needed to get out of the monotonous task-based jobs?

No.

Personally, I would not attend graduate school if I had to pay for it out-of-pocket.

It is pretty difficult to get funded while studying MS. Ph.D students get the priority.

 

[halik]

Right now I have a BSME, and I'm not too happy with the job opportunities available. I've been out of school 5 years and all the jobs I have had (full range of manufacturing, test, and prod. dev.) are not all that mentally stimulating. It may be challenging to get the work done in the time allotted, but that's about all.

Thus I've decided to go back full-time for either a MS or PhD. In the end there actually won't be too huge of a financial difference because I'll be paying my own way for a MS, while PhD should be almost entirely funded. Am I correct that a PhD is needed to get out of the monotonous task-based jobs? I have a couple friends with MSMEs, and other than higher pay they don't seem to be getting anything different out of their jobs than I do with a BSME.

If it's anything like CS, a master's won't get you anything $$-wise. If you have the opportunity, go for the doctorate.

 

[IAteYourMother]

If it's anything like CS, a master's won't get you anything $$-wise. If you have the opportunity, go for the doctorate.

?? I know plenty of people that got bumps/increased pay opps for having a MS in computer science.

 

[halik]

?? I know plenty of people that got bumps/increased pay opps for having a MS in computer science.

With a CS undergrad degree? The only time I've seen it make much difference is if your undergrad concentration was something else.

 

[zinfamous]

it's harder to get MS than PhD these days. Universities generally don't want to hand them out--save for those programs that only offer MS, of course.

If you're never going to be sure, you can always enter into a PhD program and bail once you get your masters.

...of course, they probably won't like you for doing that. But hey, it's your life.

 

[IAteYourMother]

With a CS undergrad degree? The only time I've seen it make much difference is if your undergrad concentration was something else.

yep, with a CS undergrad degree, graduating with a masters after just 1 more year in school. Maybe it only matters with bigger companies that have more of a bureaucratic policy when it comes to hiring/pay scale.

 

[Sukhoi]

it's harder to get MS than PhD these days. Universities generally don't want to hand them out--save for those programs that only offer MS, of course.

If you're never going to be sure, you can always enter into a PhD program and bail once you get your masters.

...of course, they probably won't like you for doing that. But hey, it's your life.

Yep, been thinking about that. Not to intentionally enter the program to do of course, but it's a good alternative if I find myself unable to handle school after being out 5 years.

 

[crashtestdummy]

Right now I have a BSME, and I'm not too happy with the job opportunities available. I've been out of school 5 years and all the jobs I have had (full range of manufacturing, test, and prod. dev.) are not all that mentally stimulating. It may be challenging to get the work done in the time allotted, but that's about all.

Thus I've decided to go back full-time for either a MS or PhD. In the end there actually won't be too huge of a financial difference because I'll be paying my own way for a MS, while PhD should be almost entirely funded. Am I correct that a PhD is needed to get out of the monotonous task-based jobs? I have a couple friends with MSMEs, and other than higher pay they don't seem to be getting anything different out of their jobs than I do with a BSME.

I'm a PhD student, and I have a few thoughts:

1)Don't get a PhD unless you either want to teach or do research. Corporate R&D is also often available to non-PhDs, but that varies from company to company.

2)Only get a PhD if you KNOW you want it. PhDs are an inherently painful experience. You will likely hit some really low points, and feeling that there's nothing else in the world you want to do will often be the only thing that gets you through them.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

Do you love research? If not, then a Ph.D. is not for you.

 

[Bignate603]

Am I correct that a PhD is needed to get out of the monotonous task-based jobs?

Completely incorrect. There are plenty of engineering jobs that only require a bachelor's degree and will give you tons of freedom to get past the monotony. There are tons of jobs that require higher degrees that will be mind numbingly boring. The degree level has little to do with how interesting it is.

If it's anything like CS, a master's won't get you anything $$-wise. If you have the opportunity, go for the doctorate.

That would be incorrect. I've got a BSME, working towards my master's. It's worth about a $10k a year bump in pay. My employer is paying for my tuition too so I have no out of pocket expenses.

it's harder to get MS than PhD these days. Universities generally don't want to hand them out--save for those programs that only offer MS, of course.

Another thing that's incorrect. Universities are enrolling huge numbers of masters students, especially in things like engineering.

 

[Dr. Zaus]

Completely incorrect. There are plenty of engineering jobs that only require a bachelor's degree and will give you tons of freedom to get past the monotony. There are tons of jobs that require higher degrees that will be mind numbingly boring. The degree level has little to do with how interesting it is.



That would be incorrect. I've got a BSME, working towards my master's. It's worth about a $10k a year bump in pay. My employer is paying for my tuition too so I have no out of pocket expenses.



Another thing that's incorrect. Universities are enrolling huge numbers of masters students, especially in things like engineering.

You and z are talking about two different things. His idea of a university is a place focused on research and prestige; you are thinking of a different level of university.

 

[rchiu]

If you are sticking to ME, MS isn't gonna help much. Why not look at professional degrees like MBA? Go to management, consulting related to manufacturing...etc.

MSME like you said will probably get you similar job as BSME. PhD in ME if you want to go into R&D and research/teach in University.

 

[Cheesetogo]

In many PhD programs, you can still be awarded a Master's if you decide not to complete the degree.

 

[Ricemarine]

In the end there actually won't be too huge of a financial difference because I'll be paying my own way for a MS, while PhD should be almost entirely funded.

If you have to fund most of your Ph.D, you're doing it wrong.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

It is pretty difficult to get funded while studying MS. Ph.D students get the priority.

Who said anything about being funded? Have your employer pay for it.

Even in good times, I wouldn't pay for a grad degree out of my own pocket and in bad times such as these, it even makes less sense in all but a few cases.

 

[Fenixgoon]

Personally, I would not attend graduate school if I had to pay for it out-of-pocket.

agreed. ALWAYS have someone else pay for your MS/PhD. there are plenty of companies who do it. engineering is easily one of the best fields to be in for that type of thing.

 

[crashtestdummy]

You and z are talking about two different things. His idea of a university is a place focused on research and prestige; you are thinking of a different level of university.

No, he's correct. The top end universities have a much higher acceptance rate for masters degrees than PhDs. Several of my friends in undergrad went and did a masters at a high end university (MIT, etc) after not getting into any PhD programs.

 

[SP33Demon]

Like others said, always have your employer pay for higher level education. If your company doesn't offer it as a benefit, find one that does.

 

[Gibson486]

Get in with the phd program, but stop once you get the ms.

 

[busydude]

Who said anything about being funded? Have your employer pay for it.

Even in good times, I wouldn't pay for a grad degree out of my own pocket and in bad times such as these, it even makes less sense in all but a few cases.

Well, the OP says ? my own way ,? whatever that means. If his employer could fund.. That would be great.

 

[Bignate603]

You and z are talking about two different things. His idea of a university is a place focused on research and prestige; you are thinking of a different level of university.

As someone with a BSME currently working towards my masters I can tell you that you are flat out wrong. In engineering it's incredibly common for people that are going into industry to want a masters degree and the best universities accommodate that.

 

[Gibson486]

Who said anything about being funded? Have your employer pay for it.

Even in good times, I wouldn't pay for a grad degree out of my own pocket and in bad times such as these, it even makes less sense in all but a few cases.

Be aware that lots of times when you get school funded by work, you are required to stay at the job for a certain amount of time after.

 

[Gibson486]

Completely incorrect. There are plenty of engineering jobs that only require a bachelor's degree and will give you tons of freedom to get past the monotony. There are tons of jobs that require higher degrees that will be mind numbingly boring. The degree level has little to do with how interesting it is.



That would be incorrect. I've got a BSME, working towards my master's. It's worth about a $10k a year bump in pay. My employer is paying for my tuition too so I have no out of pocket expenses.



Another thing that's incorrect. Universities are enrolling huge numbers of masters students, especially in things like engineering.

Yup, everything here is correct. Getting into a MS program is actually harder than getting into a PhD because there are much more applicants for a MS. When I graduated with my BS, the trend was to apply for a PhD, but quit when you got the MS.

However, in the electrical field, a masters is becoming so common that you want to get it. For jobs in and around the city, it's a requirement if you do not have experience.