<p>Hello everyone,
I am a mechanical engineering student at Auburn University and I will graduate next May. I just started thinking about whether I will apply to graduate school somewhere or if I will just try and get a job when I graduate. I know I want to get a masters degree eventually. In your opinion, is it better to work for a while and then go back to school or is it better to go straight on through? It would definately be harder to go back after working when you have more responsibilties, such as a job and possibly a family. There are pros and cons to each I guess.</p>
<p>I would love to get my masters in mechanical, focusing my research in the area of systems and controls. What benefits would getting a graduate degree give me in the future? I'm guessing pay would start off a little higher and it would increase job security. How selective are the top graduate programs, such as Texas? Is undergraduate research preferred? Does it look better to employers if you have your graduate degree somwhere different than your undergraduate degree? Anyways, I'm sure I have more questions, but that's all I can think of right now. It's good to meet ya'll and thanks in advance for the insight.</p>
<p>Sorry to disappoint but your job security with a masters isn’t going to be any better than with a bachelors. However, that point aside, having some work experience between undergrad and grad school has been wonderful for me. It has exposed me to new areas of research, new methodologies, new concepts and given me a chance to mature so that I can do the best possible in grad school.</p>
<p>You might find that it won’t be very difficult for you to go from working a job to grad school. I don’t have children but I do have a wife and the support from her will make the whole experience for more practical. Furthermore, I now have some funds saved up from working and paid down some debt, so going to grad school now seems as good of a time as ever.</p>
<p>No employer is going to care if you did your masters at the same institution as your undergrad. The only time that this becomes an issue is when you try to do a Phd at the place you did your undergrad, and then some people feel that you lack academic diversity.</p>
<p>I don’t know. I did my masters’ in engineering from two different Top 10 university, and I’ve never really felt connected to either or received any sort of alumni benefit. Now my MBA is a completely different story.</p>
<p>I didn’t mean to say alumni connections, but rather just networks in general. In any case, I imagine your point remains the same. Maybe I just got lucky then or I knew the right people.</p>
<p>"In your opinion, is it better to work for a while and then go back to school or is it better to go straight on through? "</p>
<p>Very individual. If you have a strong interest and do not mind poverty, power through and get it right out of school. If you are unsure or need the money, get a job - they may even pay for your education.</p>
<p>“What benefits would getting a graduate degree give me in the future?”</p>
<p>A pay bump and a little faster advancement, plus it is a bit harder to reach the highest levels in the profession with just the BS degree.</p>
<p>“How selective are the top graduate programs, such as Texas?”</p>
<p>Top programs are generally very selective, but defining your “top” program is difficult. When you have a specific interest you will find that some of the best schools for you are not that selective by the numbers. Ultimately, most grad admissions come down to matching you with the right professor - tough anywhere. </p>
<p>“Is undergraduate research preferred?”</p>
<p>Yes, but any research will do. The real judge is if/where it was published, not when you did it.</p>
<p>"Does it look better to employers if you have your graduate degree somwhere different than your undergraduate degree? "</p>
<p>Employers do not care. Even universities only care a little, and only if you have BS, MS, and PhD all from the same place. Get your masters anywhere you want.</p>