Hey! Reading up on more posts, I came across an article. Just wondering if it is better do CPA with Aeronautical Engineering or MBA with Aeronautical Engineering? Which is better in terms of job scope, salary, etc? Thank You!
What sort of thing do you hope to do with your degree(s)? And how does the AE come into play? I started my career as a CPA with one of the big firms and then did a lot of financial consulting, so I guess I could see that there might possibly be a use for AE if you go into VC or investment banking where you’d have some advantage in tech analysis, but other than that, it’s tough for me to imagine how you’d use the AE in the combinations you listed. The AE might partner better with a law degree to make a very valuable patent attorney package.
That depends entirely on your career goals.
Is one better over the other? @boneh3ad
Oh ok. Thanks! Never thought about that. I came across an MBA in Aviation Management and I just thought it’d be good to have an MBA in Aviation Mgt. AND Aeronautical Engineering. If so, is it better to do a BS and MS in AE and an MBA (so like in grad school you’d do MS/MBA) or is it better to do a BS in AE and an MBA in Aviation (so like without MS).
Again, I’d ask - what are you going to do with it? The types of skills and degrees you need varies depending on what you want to do after college.
I am not sure either option makes all that much sense (but admittedly I am a Mechanical Engineer,with little knowledge about Aeronautical Eng.) . Tell us more about your career goals.
It depends entirely on your career goals. There is no general definition of “better”.
The only difference between the two plans appears to be whether or not you pursue an MS, correct?
Getting the MS will advance your career as a technical professional. Getting the MBA will almost certainly end your career as a technical professional. Doing them simultaneously (If even possible) or getting the MS second would be pointless.
Plan 5-10 years out. If you want to stay on the technical side, get the MS. If you want to make a permanent switch to the business side, get the MBA.
Oh thanks for the detailed reply! I came across some universities such as Embry Riddle that allow a dual masters in AE and Aviation Mgmt. this was something that I was really happy about because they are both related to Aviation and I thought it would be good. @cosmicfish . And I was wondering which other universities abroad or in US have this option of AE MS and aviation MBA.
"a BS in AE (with a music/language minor) " - Read some of the other threads on minors / double majors. In many cases, the advise is to take electives in area of interest… but not to get tied down to the specific requirements for a minor. Usually a minor on the diploma does not add value, and it limits your flexibility for engineering course scheduling.
And it is also worthwhile to understand that graduating with divided degrees (like engineering and business) implies divided intentions, and few employers want to hire people who cannot even commit to a career field. If you take the time and effort and money to get a CPA license or an MBA I would certainly not believe you were serious about working as an engineer.
The only real exception to this is the MBA, simply because so many use it to change careers. MBA employers won’t much care what your undergrad is in, but it is a one-way career change and many new MBA’s are surprised to find that most management jobs want both the degree AND significant related experience!
Pick a career that is interesting and has an entry from college, then get the degree you need to enter it. If you later want to transition to something else, go get THAT degree THEN.
If you keep asking the same question in different ways, you are likely to keep getting the same answer. There is absolutely no reason to get a CPA and an engineering degree. You won’t use both and you’ll confuse potential employers.
I’d also think an “MBA in aviation management” would be a fairly poor match with aerospace engineering. I can’t think of any career path that would require both of these skillsets or credentials.
Oh, ok. Thank you! I never knew that! I will surely read those posts! @colorado_mom
Oh, ok. Thanks! @cosmicfish
Thank you for the detailed reply! So is it better investing time and money to go full through for an aeronautical engineering degree (BS/MS/PhD) instead of a combination of AE and MBA in Avaition? @boneh3ad
I’ll say the same thing I’ve said multiple times. It depends on your career goals. What are your career goals?
I am not really sure as of now. I know what options do lie ahead, but I am not sure which would be the best fitting. Once I complete undergrad, I’ll know for sure. I’ve been told by a couple of other people what the options of each path are, and to me they both seemed valid. I guess the only way to judge is after completing a portion of undergrad. Thanks! and sorry to keep bothering you! @boneh3ad
The fact that you say “they both seemed valid” implies you actually aren’t all that aware of the (greater than two) possible paths. Further, if you don’t have a clear idea about your career goals, then you shouldn’t even be thinking about an MBA or a MS yet, let alone a PhD.
Once you get to your senior year, this will all start to make sense. Until you get there, you don’t really have the foundation to make these decisions. You simply don’t know what you don’t know. For example, an MBA seems cool, until you find out that you need experience BEFORE you can manage and the MBA may inhibit your ability to get hired to get said experience. For now, do the best you can in your coursework and learn what interests you.