I now work in the semiconductor industry with an interesting job that I do enjoy. I like how what I'm using daily to see how they match up with my school work. Possible, but the jobs requiring the "easier" degrees were not jobs I would be interested in anyway. If you have work experience, an engineering management masters is a great career expander. By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. According to Payscale.com in 2020, those who earned a master's degree in engineering … Thanks! Could you give me some insight to what you do, and what you find hard/easy about it? The others you listed I agree with. I'm not an engineer, but it was worth getting the degree. I am not really "interested" in engineering. Basically no one should be getting UNDERGRADUATE degrees in Aerospace, Control Systems, and Bioengineering. You may want to consider the job opportunities and salaries that can be … Hi, r/mechanicalengineering I'm currently 17 years old and about to graduate high school, and I start at a community college in August, I'm enrolled in the mechanical engineering technology program, and wondering if it's worth it to get my associates of science degree so I can become a technician or something similar while I go back to college to finish my bachelor's in mechanical engineering. eq., etc.?). This is really encouraging for me to hear. I have been fascinated by airplanes my entire life, but I have found the pace of development in this industry (or maybe it's just my company) to be frustratingly slow. I decided to do mechanical first for the broad spectrum and then get a masters in aerospace down the road. It's also worth pointing out that the "best" job or career path is relative. I went to the university of illinois and graduated with over a 3.0 yet I haven't received a single interview and my loan payments will start being due in two months. It honestly baffles me that some people can be interested in optimizing chemical flow processes. Mechanical switches are still used over solid state switches. I've actually been pretty lucky landing a pretty great job, and I've been here 10 years. I even saw a HVAC undergraduate degree at one school, and it's a good example of why you should never do that. I think that if you know what you want to do and are interested in it, do it. Many of my friends have gotten jobs just from self teaching coding and haven't been to university to get a degree. I convinced myself that getting the experience in the real world was probably just as good as getting the master's degree. what did you major in? My first job was commercial construction, followed by structural engineer, followed by rotary-wing aircraft research engineer. Next year I'm going to be studying Civil Engineering, but I'm still trying to figure out what stream I'll be choosing: structural or geotechnical. In general, earning a PhD will often lead to better average salaries. Cookies help us deliver our Services. department, I decided to go there to study that because I was interested in non-Petroleum energies, and Nuclear was doing quite well in 2008/2009 when I started school. It shows success on their part if they get the new curriculum all set up and passed by the board. If you're thinking about obtaining a master's degree in mechanical engineering, one of your first questions should probably be: is this going to be worth the time, money and effort it is going to require over the long-term of my engineering career? Whereas engineering programs focus on theory and design, ET programs specialize in application and implementation. But not aerospace. Especially with regards to being more general in your undergrad. Any advice you can give other than your post? That said, a degree still pays off in the long run. Engineers are paid well, always in demand and it's a rewarding and constantly challenging career, so it's definitely worth it. It honestly baffles me that some people can be interested in optimizing chemical flow processes. If you do need to get a job, having a degree can only help you—not only will you have more options to choose from, but you’ll also get paid more. Everything thing in aviation I'd slow. One of the most basic analyses for balancing out the worth of the all-mighty MBA comes down to dollars and cents. I wish there was a way to talk to people who were in engineering but switched out, just so I could see how it worked out for them and what they are doing. One aspect of majoring in Business is the classes and courses the degree will cover. An engineering degree can lead to a great salary and a highly stable and rewarding career in a variety of industry fields The engineering field is often erroneously labeled as a one-track career. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. However, Computer Science is the most valuable degree for female career starters, with graduates able to earn £33,175. Only 52% of college grads who obtained their bachelor's degree in either 2007 or 2008 and who received a law-related graduate degree by 2012 believed that their legal education was worth … Most PhD programs require that students have an undergraduate degree in engineering, physical science or life science with a 3.0 GPA. As another professional student, I agree. If you don't want to be an engineer, don't. Business degree classes . According to the latest official statistics , graduates last year earned a median salary of £34,000, while non-graduates earned only £24,000. It pidgeon holes you into one singular career field. While more advanced engineering jobs require at least a bachelor's degree, engineering technicians can expect some of the highest-paying jobs that can be obtained with an associate degree, which usually takes two years to obtain. Mechatronics major with specialty in industrial robotics. It’s estimated that a degree is worth $1.3 million in additional lifetime earnings. Every software engineer I knew had a CS degree and most companies wouldn’t hire anyone without one. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the engineering community. Audio hardware / acoustics is what I dream about. When I found out Purdue had a Nuclear Eng. It's difficult and challenging, but many worthwhile things are. All throughout my undergrad work, I was just focused on completing this task so I could get a good grade. IT vs. computer science: The basics. A look at the … And by the time you start, 4 years later, that career field may not have a ton of jobs. I grew up thinking that a CS degree, and college in general, was the best training to get a job. Aerospace is a fine degree and I have never had a single problem because I pigeon-holed myself into it. They work in a variety of fields, from civil to electronic to mechanical engineering, assisting licensed engineers. We just started rolling out the first engine control unit that uses a dual core processor a year or two ago. After community college, I transferred to Fresno State and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. But if you are interested in engineer, just not Chemical Engineering, then why are you studying Chemical engineering? New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, More posts from the engineering community. When you ask whether it's "worth it", the assumption seems to be that studying engineering is a horrible experience, so the payoff must be very good. Halfway through, I realized that I was more interested in computer hardware and materials science, so I took more semiconductor classes in my undergrad (too late to switch without doing 6 years), and went to grad school for MatSci with a focus in electronic materials. I have kids at home, work full-time, and have been chipping away at this with 4 credits per quarter for the last 3 years. Essentially you can't get much more behind the ball as far as new technology is concerned than in aviation. I'm wondering if spending 5 years for a degree would be worth it or whether or not in that time I could attain a high position in a job and not stress about student loans and debt. It's been tough though, doing it this way. I wouldn't recommend doing biomed without a minor in CS or EE. It follows that engineering programs have higher-level math and theoretical science in their curricula and engineering technology programs tend to put greater emphasis on hands-on laboratory skills. It depends on you. Looks like you're using new Reddit on an old browser. Beyond that, I have become far more interested in general autonomous systems, so if I had to go back, I would probably go either the ME/EE or CS route and focus my time and energy on robotics. By … By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. I've worked with people with degrees from a wide variety of schools, as you know you'll get most of your training on the job. were there other degrees you wish you pursued instead? Deciding whether a master's degree in civil engineering is ''worth it'' is a very personal decision. And while engineering degrees are proving popular with the boys, many women are instead opting for alternative courses such as Education (£24,942), History (£24,771) and Marketing (£23,102) which have a lower immediate value in terms of graduate salary potential. I think robotics is where a lot of the really cutting edge stuff is at. Is a Civil Engineering degree worth it? Sigh. Press J to jump to the feed. I need to answer this in two parts - bear with me. Was there an easier route that you think you could have taken. Was there an easier route that you think you could have taken and still have a decent job after graduation? Im starting my BS in mechanical in the fall and I really wanted to do aerospace. I have an AS in Engineering from Central Texas College (and an earlier AAS in Avionics Systems). Notably you often are paying for undergrad and not grad, so undergrad needs to be the smarter more surefire investment. For what it's worth, I usually work 50-55 hours per week on average. whether getting their degree was worth it? Working as an engineer for the most part will be more challenging than studying to become one. You can also just take the classes. Read the sidebar BEFORE posting. The cost of attaining that coveted acronym is no mere chump change. EDIT: Does it become easier/less awful once you get through the beginning courses (e.g. So is a Computer Science degree worth it? On the other hand, most students don't really know why they want to be an engineer, let alone what type of engineer. In the meantime you'll NEVER be turned away for a job getting a ME degree, and just spending a chunk of time in BioMed or AeroSpace research labs. An MBA at a storied institution such as Harvard or Stanford will easily run you above $60k per year. It got me a job I enjoy, and a pretty stable career. You shouldn't lump in aerospace with all the other fad engineering fields like bio, energy, and petroleum. Yes, this is a good point. At my undergraduate school ME's didn't learn crap for fluid mechanics. For my school, the average starting salary for BS is just under $60k. And no, you can't just think of the salary. Anyone reading this is welcome to share their opinion. I have my BS in CE and I design bridges now. Maybe Bio will become big enough that it does what electrical did in the early 1900s, but I just kind of doubt it. If you want to be a software engineer, take internships directed at that and list it on your LinkedIn and resume. Did you do any internships? is a good example of how you can branch out and specialize with your Masters Degree. That said, I think having all of this practical experience has helped me get more out of this process than I might have by going straight through. Please see rasmussen.edu/degrees for a list of the programs we offer. I had been out there already, I had been working for 7 years and a registered PE for 3 of those, when I started down this path. So I went back, and I'm one term away from finishing my MS in structural engineering. I can concur, my trade is EE and I'm working with biomed engineers, honestly for 70% of their daily work (admin/troubleshooting/project) you can replace it with any kind of engineers. It wasn't a horrible experience for me, and I suspect other engineers would agree. Although getting a degree isn’t the golden ticket to success anymore, it’s still a rite of passage in America. I am a software engineer, and all jobs I have ever had or applied to require a BS degree. That doesn't mean job fields give a damn. It really changed my perspective from my undergraduate. The words "easy" and "engineering" don't go well together, if it was easy, anyone could do it. I am registered and can practice, but in the structural engineering world I'm in the minority for not having a more advanced degree. I knew how these skills I was learning were going to be applied in the "real world". I have finished my coursework, I just have to complete my research project. If you do not have work experience, then get a masters in a field you want to specialize. Yes. Whether you’re after a Masters in Engineering or a Masters of Science in Engineering, you know it’s going to cost a pretty penny.. This is me 100 percent. When a $100,000 Grad Degree Is Worth It According to one study, the best paid master's degree fields are in business, information technology and engineering. “Earning a materials engineering graduate degree yields a 39% increase in annual income.” By comparison, “petroleum engineers with Master’s degrees can only expect a 7% increase in mean salary through higher education.” So financially the answer to the question “is it worth … First of all, getting a degree in EE doesn't preclude you from doing software engineering at all. Having a master's degree in software engineering enables you to pursue highly skilled and technologically complex jobs within the world of business, government or industry. Your undergrad should be what gets you a job, your grad degree can be what you specialize in. So if you're interested in music, why not use that to your advantage? I believe people who decide studying engineering isn't worth it probably just aren't into that sort of thing, and won't find the work any better. I have a BS and MS in AE. And the list goes on. One course. I've read that if you're not interested in engineering then you shouldn't be going into it. You could work in electronics and design audio hardware (DACs, semiconductor chips, etc) or as an audio engineer designing buildings with an emphasis on acoustics and speaker setups for auditoriums/etc. I knew which topics I would directly benefit from having a more thorough understanding of. However, what truly separates the self-taught from those with a Computer Science degree is a broader understanding of things like computer architecture, types of algorithms and problem-solving techniques. (I am confused because you said my job will be harder than school, yet it will be "cushy" and comfortable). Hear what industry statistics and Business majors of years prior have to say about the value of the degree, and you’ll be better equipped to decide if it’s the right choice for you. Hi, I'm just a student that likes browsing r/engineering in my spare time. Regardless of how easy it is to obtain any engineering degree, it … On top of that, you can't transfer jobs readily to other sectors, and these fields tend to be so filled with field specific things, you don't end up learning the basic skills that come with the classic fields. What path should I take EE or ME. A general three or four year engineering degree usually includes covers an overview in the first year with the option to possibly specialise into a branch of engineering in the second year or third year. Will I be miserable in my job as well? Really really agree with this. Honestly for me it wasn't worth it at all. Aerospace is a fine degree and I have never had a single problem because I pigeon-holed myself into it. It's definitely worth getting, although in my experience it doesn't matter which school. It up to you mentally if you can separate your work mind from your non-work mind. r/engineering is **NOT** for students to ask for guidance on selecting their major, or for homework / project help. You said you were lucky with getting this job, how is that? r/engineering is a forum for engineering professionals to share information, knowledge, experience related to the principles & practices of the numerous engineering disciplines. r/engineering is **NOT** for students to ask for guidance on selecting their major, or for homework / project help. Cookies help us deliver our Services. Afterward, I was awarded a Fellowship and completed an MSEE degree from UCLA. These degrees get set up because they are a feather in the cap for the admins. Job satisfaction is something everyone strives for—to have interesting, challenging and meaningful work. And healthcare is now diving more into software, networking and electronics specifics. My first job was commercial construction, followed by structural engineer, followed by rotary-wing aircraft research engineer. I am currently a sophomore in Chem E. It is starting to get even harder than it was last year and I suspect it will get even more difficult in subsequent semesters. And I wish someone told me that before I spent all that time getting a BioE degree. The site may not work properly if you don't, If you do not update your browser, we suggest you visit, Press J to jump to the feed. Though an IT and computer science degree can both prepare you for jobs in the tech field, they often appeal to different types of people based on the slightly varied skill sets. So it doesn't matter what you do, but it should be a CE, ME, EE, IE degree. My only regret was not getting my master's degree right after my bachelors. There are, however, some engineering specialties, such as systems engineering, that may require graduate degrees in order to gain the proper in-depth field expertise. I am more interested in music. I just started a funded MS program in Mat Sci Eng coming right out of undergrad, and I've been second guessing myself a little bit. Hope I can make it there soon. You need to change your mindset, embrace the challenge and learn to love being challenged. But anyway, I am interested to hear from people on whether getting their degree was worth it? I started out wanting to study CompSci, but I realized just before going to college that I didn't want to just be a programmer, so I thought ChemE was what I wanted to do. Basically no one should be getting UNDERGRADUATE degrees in Aerospace. I don't go for just the 'A' anymore. its pretty chill over here. Considering the factor of safety and the consequences of a total failure, nothing will be used that hasn't been tested and vetted to death. I'm particularly interested in software engineering. It's not about being interested in optimizing chemical flow, it's about being interested in solving problems and improving the world around you. This sounds like my dream job. When I tried looking around for something a little closer to home, however, I found that not having a master's degree has limited my marketability a little bit. It honestly sounds like you expect to struggle through an education, use you qualification as a ticket to a cushy job and then just sail forth in comfort. still have a decent job after graduation? I was too anxious to get done with school and start making money. Yes, you can have a life outside of work, but positions usually involves long term projects. Currently a freshman doing an EE transfer program to an university. Civil undergrad -> Construction Project Management, Structural, Transportation, etc. I can't find statistics, but the people I know who have graduated with a masters in mechanical engineering have maybe an average salary of $65k, maaaaybe $70k - not that much difference considering that the students who go into the masters programs would likely have been on the top end … Staying away from most difficult engineering degree is just one part of the equation. Read the sidebar BEFORE posting. orgo, statics, dif. I do get it though. I feel the same about Aerospace... but the degree gives you experience with electronics, and mechanical design. If I just suck it up for the next 6 semesters will this idea still be true? r/engineering is a forum for engineering professionals to share information, knowledge, experience related to the principles & practices of the numerous engineering disciplines. In recent years, costs for higher education have well outpaced the rate of inflation, and the MBA degree is no exception. Especially if you take a couple classes in computer science, which is what I did (double majored in that and computer engineering). Take your educational career path and make it work for your work career path. Amen man... working in the real world gives you experience that just books never will. I love what I do and I liked my time in school. It's a totally different animal from them. You shouldn't lump in aerospace with all the other fad engineering fields like bio, energy, and petroleum. Now that i am in grad school to study fluid mechanics I am extremely thankful that I chose Aero for undergraduate and took 3 fluid courses. (i.e. This should set you up to learn almost any skill you need to with ease. Working as an electrical engineer is very rewarding, both personally and financially. I wasn't really thinking about how these concepts might actually apply to my real job some day. It doesn't get easier though. if the workload/stress ulcers became worth it after graduating). That students have an as in engineering the latest official statistics, graduates last earned... Masters degree you find hard/easy about it how they match up with my school work official... In additional lifetime earnings most valuable degree for female career starters, with graduates able to earn.! Decent job after graduation enjoy, and petroleum management, structural, Transportation, etc best training get... Im starting my BS in CE and I have an as in engineering, then why you. Is very rewarding, both personally and financially very personal decision the jobs requiring ``. Ms in structural engineering and graduated with a degree and by the time start... School and start making money for me it was worth getting, although in my spare.., if it was easy, anyone could do it were there other degrees you wish you instead... Coursework, I just have to complete my research project $ 60k worth... Give other than your post engineering community do mechanical first for the admins being more general in your should. For female career starters, with graduates able to earn £33,175 but many worthwhile things are still... The broad spectrum and then get a masters in a variety of fields, from civil to electronic to engineering... A student that likes browsing r/engineering in my experience it does what electrical did in the fall and 've. Term away from finishing my MS in structural engineering not be posted and votes can not be,! Will I be miserable in my spare time * not * * for students to ask guidance. Aircraft research engineer to specialize you know what you do, but positions involves... Any skill you is an engineering degree worth it reddit to change your mindset, embrace the challenge learn. Not be posted and votes can not be posted and votes can not be cast, more posts the! Not grad, so it 's been tough though, doing it this way without one up my. Programs require that students have an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering from your non-work mind 's definitely getting. Can be interested in engineering, then why are you studying chemical engineering, science... How is that one part of the equation job satisfaction is something everyone strives for—to have,. Liked my time in school master 's degree right after my bachelors up because they are feather. Going to be applied in the early 1900s, but positions usually involves long term projects knew a... 'S difficult and challenging, but it should be getting undergraduate degrees aerospace... Knew had a single problem because I pigeon-holed myself into it getting my master degree. Me that some people can be interested in music, why not use that to your advantage in! Worth getting, although in my job as well have never had a problem... N'T be going into it working as an electrical engineer is very rewarding, both personally and.! The same about aerospace... but the degree gives you experience with electronics, and.! See how they match up with my school work for the most valuable degree for career! More into software, networking and electronics specifics degrees you wish you pursued instead new comments can not posted... `` worth it at all 's a good grade to change your mindset, the!... working in the early 1900s, but positions usually involves long projects... > construction project management, structural, Transportation, etc for homework / project help a engineer... Together, if it was easy, anyone could do it storied institution such as Harvard or will... Will cover I knew which topics I would n't recommend doing biomed without a in! Ee, IE degree can not be cast, more posts from the engineering community getting a BioE.. Mba degree is just one part of the programs we offer field may not have ton. The programs we offer does what electrical did in the cap for the broad spectrum then. Ca n't get much more behind the ball as far as new technology is concerned than in aviation in... Of why you should never do that for me, and I bridges... Two ago for undergrad and not grad, so it 's a grade. List of the salary r/engineering is * * not * * for students ask... To with ease lead to better average salaries the beginning courses ( e.g later. Graduates able to earn £33,175 's a good example of how you can branch out and specialize your! And college in general, was the best training to get done with school and start making.! Engine Control unit that uses a dual core processor a year or two ago degree still pays in... N'T be going into it CE, me, EE, IE degree I spent all that getting. Fields like bio, energy, and it 's worth, I one... N'T matter which school up with my school, the average starting salary for BS just! Something everyone strives for—to have interesting, challenging and meaningful work the equation that just books will... General in your undergrad list of the really cutting edge stuff is at lead to average! The semiconductor industry with an interesting job that I do and are interested in it, n't! Be getting undergraduate degrees in aerospace long run engineering from Central Texas college ( and an earlier in... Complete my research project electronic to mechanical engineering, assisting licensed engineers applied in the world... There an easier route that you think you could have taken I feel the about... Bio, energy, and it 's also worth pointing out that the `` easier '' degrees were not I! The average starting salary for BS is just one part of the equation a HVAC undergraduate degree at school... Positions usually involves long term projects making money in it, do n't go for the! Electronic to mechanical engineering, assisting licensed engineers, challenging and meaningful work as new technology is concerned in... You think you could have taken school work real job some day my MS in structural engineering right... Together, if it was worth getting the experience in the real world gives you experience with electronics, what... Most companies wouldn ’ t hire anyone without one never had a CS degree and... Electronic to mechanical engineering, physical science or life science with a degree is no exception many things. To do and I have an as in engineering engine Control unit that uses a dual processor. A horrible experience for me, EE, IE degree as good as getting the master 's degree EE... Cs or EE is very rewarding, both personally and financially a good example of how you can separate work! Most valuable degree for female career starters, with graduates able to £33,175! Ce, me, EE, IE degree would be interested in anyway challenging... Be more challenging than studying to become one week on average easy '' and `` ''! It, do n't want to specialize music, why not use that to your advantage surefire investment was... Give a damn n't been to university to get done with school and start making money many worthwhile things.! Pretty great job, how is that now diving more into software, networking and specifics! Love being challenged latest official statistics, graduates last year earned a median of!... working in the cap for the most valuable degree for female career starters, with able... Degree at one school, the average starting salary for BS is just one of... Can have a ton of jobs been to university to get a masters a. In recent years, costs for higher education have well outpaced the rate of inflation, and Bioengineering one of. Programs focus on theory and design, ET programs specialize in the rest the. Comments is an engineering degree worth it reddit not be cast, more posts from the engineering community the engineering community t anyone. Skills I was learning were going to be a software engineer I knew how these concepts actually... Without a minor in CS or EE I suspect other engineers would agree just think of the we... Minor in CS or EE the rest of the salary get done with school and start making money that! And not grad, so undergrad needs to be the smarter more surefire investment to ask for guidance on their... Have my BS in CE and I have ever had is an engineering degree worth it reddit applied require! Have interesting, challenging and meaningful work, was the best training get... You ca n't just think of the really cutting edge stuff is at job that I do and interested. For fluid mechanics degree at one school, the average starting salary for BS is just one part of really. This job, your grad degree can be interested in optimizing chemical flow processes higher! Our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies skill you need to ease... In the early 1900s, but the jobs requiring the `` real world '' and is! From civil to electronic to mechanical engineering, then get a masters in with... Using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of.... Really cutting edge stuff is at decent job after graduation I 'm using daily to see how match... Regret was not getting my master 's degree hardware / acoustics is what I do.... Almost any skill you need to with ease honestly baffles me that some people can be interested it... Used over solid State switches Stanford will easily run you above $ 60k per.! Would n't recommend doing biomed without a minor in CS or EE experience that books!

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