Graduate Degree

DavidI · 02-21-2007, 06:15 PM

I was accepted for a graduate degree program and started wondering how many others have a MA/MS. Has it helped your career? How?

Thanks, David

Jim Richards · 02-21-2007, 06:16 PM

Have it (MS) and used it a lot over the years. My field is very technical and the advanced degree helped me obtain more interesting work opportunities, and to mentor others that worked for me. Congrats, David.

ckissick · 02-21-2007, 06:19 PM

Read this post.

what do you have your masters in?

DavidI · 02-21-2007, 06:44 PM

Thanks Charlie. I did not see that post. You guys have some amazing degrees! I am very impressed, David

ckissick · 02-21-2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 930addict
I have a co-worker that graduated with a B.S. in Comp. Sci. at M.I.T. She was faced with the same problem. M.I.T. invited her to go back for her masters which was going to cost her $100k. For her this was a no brainer. She could go into debt going for her masters or make over $100k/year. She's still here.

As for me and many others, an MS degree is essential. A PhD would have been pointless, however, unless I wanted to be a professor.

Aurel · Aurel's Garage

At the end of March, I will be in my first thesis comitee to graduate a student in Electrical and computer Engineering who worked with me.
Last november, it had been 10 years since I got my phD in polymer science. Now, I need to use semiconductor physics that I never learned in college. But somehow, I can pick a book, read an article, and figure out all I need to get the job done. A graduate education just gives you the bases for learning new things. Opens a few doors too.

Aurel

CJFusco · CJFusco's Garage

I am 2/3 done with my Master's Thesis, and should have my MA by May.

John Rogers · 02-21-2007, 08:33 PM

In California you can teach at the comunity college, private college with a Masters degree. I have been doing it since 1989 with my MS-Software Engineering. teaching an evening class one night per week brings in the $$$$ for new race tires or that new flat screen for the garage.

HardDrive · 02-21-2007, 09:39 PM

Not sure if my masters degree in Management has helped me or not.

But I had an interview today, and I will let you know just as soon as they get back to me if I got the job.....

(not kidding, interviewed over lunch today)

M.D. Holloway · 02-21-2007, 10:26 PM

No one ever regreted an education. Good luck!

Hugh R · 02-21-2007, 10:55 PM

MBA here, don't use it much now, but it certainly didn't hurt getting to where I am now. Might have even helped.

fintstone · fintstone's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Wayne at Pelican Parts
Unless something has changed in the past 12 years, that doesn't sound like the whole story. (Or, if she's not a US citizen). MIT has traditionally funded 100% of it's grad students through teaching assistantships, research assistantships (what I had), or fellowships. Maybe it's changed since then, but when I went there, they actually paid my tuition and a monthly stipend. It wasn't much (like $1000/mo), but it helped pay for food and rent.

-Wayne

I have considered going back for a PhD, but if it were full time...I would have to give up $100K+ per year in salary while attending. It would likely not increase my salary a cent...and would possibly decrease my yearly income. Even if it resulted in an additional $10-$20K per year...I would be long dead...or retired before making up the difference (which is a sure thing).

Jim Richards · 02-22-2007, 02:55 AM

I started to work on a PhD, but before I made the decision to quit my job to work on it full time, my wife offered to let me buy a sailboat if I stuck with the MS and just kept working.

Did I ever tell you guys that I like sailing and used to like racing sailboats?

David · David's Garage

I've been thinking about going back too. I'll probably go for an MBA rather than a masters of engineering. I like engineering, but if I'm going to get a 997TT anytime soon, I think management is the better choice

Anyone out there take the GMAT? Is it something you really need to study for or is it pretty intuitive?

Eric P · 02-22-2007, 06:07 AM

David,

I have a Ph.D. but I pretty much HAVE to have a Ph.D. to do what I want to do (I'm a psychologist). The big question to me (for you) is: what do you want to do? Do you need the degree to do it? If not, are you interested in learning more through the graduate school process (you can learn a lot without grad school)? If "no" is the answer to those last two questions, I personally wouldn't do it.

Education is a great INVESTMENT IF(!) it gets you something more you want ($, knowledge, advancement). Hard work may get you the same thing though.

fastpat · 02-22-2007, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 125shifter
I've been thinking about going back too. I'll probably go for an MBA rather than a masters of engineering. I like engineering, but if I'm going to get a 997TT anytime soon, I think management is the better choice

Anyone out there take the GMAT? Is it something you really need to study for or is it pretty intuitive?

I took it a long time ago and did pretty well on it. I'd say if you did well on the GRE, you'll do well on the GMAT, just my opinion. It may have changed it's format by now, don't know.

cashflyer · 02-22-2007, 08:59 AM

I have a MA in BS.

jyl · jyl's Garage

I've taken GMAT and LSAT, also SAT.

There are some tricks to taking these tests, have to do w/ time management as much as subject matter.

You'd be wise to at least get some prep books, take the sample tests, get a sense of how you will do and get familiar w/ the test format.

Then how much study you need to do will depend on how high a score you want, which depends on what school you are trying to get into.