• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

What are the real world advantages of a Master's degree over a BS in CS or EE?

What kind of question is this? Higher education generallly means higher pay. A person who spent the extra time for schooling in the same major will (or should, one would hope) have more knowledge than someone who had less formal education.
 
Well, I'm just deciding whether or not I want to pursue a MS after my BS. So, I was wondering, would the 2 years knowledge gained from work experience make up for the MS in terms of pay and position?
 
Originally posted by: sygyzy
What kind of question is this? Higher education generallly means higher pay. A person who spent the extra time for schooling in the same major will (or should, one would hope) have more knowledge than someone who had less formal education.
Click to expand...

not always the case. sometimes too much education puts you at a disadvantage because of the fact that some positions may not want to pay that extra salary requirement that most post-degree graduates require/expect.
 
i'm wondering the same myself. I have a little over a year before I graduate with a BS in EE, but I think I'm just gonna see what the job market looks like after that and determine then if I'll go back to school or not. If I can find a good job, then I may not need to go for a masters.
 
Originally posted by: CrackaLackaZe
Well, I'm just deciding whether or not I want to pursue a MS after my BS. So, I was wondering, would the 2 years knowledge gained from work experience make up for the MS in terms of pay and position?
Click to expand...

it has for me, i started working fulltime after i got my BS and in 99% of cases I probably make a good deal more then someone who trying to play catchup with a masters. In all honesty a masters in CS is a nice to have but once you get hired and have a job, no one cares.
 
I don't know about CS (for some reason I don't think it would matter as much), but for EE: You specialize and get more knowledge in a specific area instead of the more broad education of a BS. I guess if you specialize in an area you like, it would be a lot easier getting a job in that specific field.

A lot of the jobs for MS people are more research oriented too. Some of the jobs offered between the BS - MS - PHD levels are fundamentally different and without the appropriate credentials, it's pretty difficult to get into that area.

Lots of people and companies also count it as work experience or shave off the required years to apply for a job (if that even matters much).

A lot of people think that there's a ceiling you reach with only a BS that you can break through if you have an MS (i guess it depends on the type of company you work for).
 
If both fresh out of college and everything else equal, then the M.S. will have a much easier time finding a job than a B.S. student. At least that's how I see it for the EE side. I had no problems getting interviews and job offers as a M.S. student but my B.S. EE friends probably had to go through 2x more interviews with 1/5 the number of job offers that I had to go through.
 
Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I don't know about CS (for some reason I don't think it would matter as much), but for EE: You specialize and get more knowledge in a specific area instead of the more broad education of a BS. I guess if you specialize in an area you like, it would be a lot easier getting a job in that specific field. A lot of the jobs for MS people are more research oriented too. Lots of people and companies also count it as work experience or shave off the required years to apply for a job (if that even matters much). A lot of people think that there's a ceiling you reach with only a BS that you can break through if you have an MS (i guess it depends on the type of company you work for).
Click to expand...


Does anyone know if the glass ceiling thing for BS is common for CS?
 
Originally posted by: CrackaLackaZe
Originally posted by: CanOWorms
I don't know about CS (for some reason I don't think it would matter as much), but for EE: You specialize and get more knowledge in a specific area instead of the more broad education of a BS. I guess if you specialize in an area you like, it would be a lot easier getting a job in that specific field. A lot of the jobs for MS people are more research oriented too. Lots of people and companies also count it as work experience or shave off the required years to apply for a job (if that even matters much). A lot of people think that there's a ceiling you reach with only a BS that you can break through if you have an MS (i guess it depends on the type of company you work for).
Click to expand...


Does anyone know if the glass ceiling thing for BS is common for CS?
Click to expand...

I would doubt it. Maybe if you're in a more reserach oriented position. Anyways, I don't think it should be a big enough factor to get an MS just because of that. I think it's more of an old school thing and probably depends on the type of work you're in.
 
If you're going to work in academe, or in some type of research gig, then the MS will help. Out here in the real world, it doesn't matter as much. Sure, you'll find some employers who care.

Think about how the Computer world has changed in the last 2 years. Do you really want to give that up in order to get a piece of paper? Go for the experience. In most comp. jobs the degree is just a box that gets checked off.

A PhD still means something - though often, it means you're overqualified.
 
Originally posted by: Ameesh
Originally posted by: CrackaLackaZe
Well, I'm just deciding whether or not I want to pursue a MS after my BS. So, I was wondering, would the 2 years knowledge gained from work experience make up for the MS in terms of pay and position?
Click to expand...

it has for me, i started working fulltime after i got my BS and in 99% of cases I probably make a good deal more then someone who trying to play catchup with a masters. In all honesty a masters in CS is a nice to have but once you get hired and have a job, no one cares.
Click to expand...

I fully agree with that part
 
It depends, if you have an awesome job offer after your BS, then I would take it if the you're not getting really hot job offers I would stick with MS. If two people were interviewing for the same position and if it comes down to picking the one with experience or the one that just got their MS, the one with experience usually wins out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top