As of right now I am in college and money is a big deal for me…I am pursuing engineering and I was wondering if it is worth it to go directly for a masters degree program in a graduate school after undergrad, or get a job in engineering then then later, after a few years pursue the masters degree. I heard a lot of people in STEM don’t ever pay for a graduate degree in STEM and I was wondering how that works?
Also is it hard to get a job in engineering with just a bachelors degree?
What type of engineering? That can make a difference, but generally speaking you don’t need an advanced degree to get a good engineering job. Many people may go for an advanced degree later - but not always for a STEM Master’s - I know several engineers who years later went for MBAs and are doing quite well for themselves.
I haven’t really decided tbh. I am leaning towards mechanical though although chemical doesn’t sound to bad either
I moved into graduate school immediately after college graduation because I was skilled at studying, taking tests and satisfying class requirements. Additionally, money was always short so I could live on an extremely tight budget. Working could really mess up my ease with eating ramen, etc. As food. When you are still in college, you are aware of the best programs, opportunities for financial assistance, and can relocate easily because of few possessions. I think I made an excellent decision to stay in school because I became better educated and trained than other applicants for jobs, was still free to pursue other opportunities of living wherever I wanted, and was young enough to settle into adulthood as lots of peers when I was through with formal schooling. Continuing education will become a recurring and exiting opportunity. Overall, I was concerned that a job would be detrimental to my academic skills and ability to live on food coming in small packages that only needed a microwave to become dinner. Ultimately, I was better focused and knowledgeable on my adult options.
My engineer daughter started her job. Her company offered to pay for her MS at any university and gave her time off to study.
I’m math and CS, but I will be starting employment when I graduate from undergrad in May. My employer will pay for graduate classes, so I plan to get a masters in a few years, on their dime.
@guineagirl96 @“aunt bea” that sounds amazing congrats how exactly do you get your company to pay for your masters haha
If you definitely want a master’s in engineering and if you can get funded(RA/TA/fellowship), it makes more sense to go straight through. The longer you’re out of school, the more material from your undergrad that you’ll forget.
@TMNTsqu Many large employers (but not all) have employee education programs. In the case of my employer, they will pay for individual classes after hours as long as the courses will enhance your job performance (it’s pretty easy to justify though; as someone who will be doing math and CS work, I could pretty much justify any math or computer/technology related course). They also have a competitive program that can be used for a limited number of semesters where they give you time off and pay for your classes, so you can take classes during work hours. What people usually do there is use the first program to take classes one or two at a time for their masters/doctorate and then when they are close to finishing, apply for the competitive program.
Usually a US student can find an assistantship if the plan to go on to complete a Ph.D. If you can get your MS covered as an RA or TA without a commitment to pursue the Ph.D., that is the way to go. Most companies will pay for you to complete a master’s on a part-time basis but that can be time consuming (2-5 years depending on the number of courses you can take and the thesis requirements). There are often strings attached though - must meet a certain grade requirement to be paid by company, may need to pay the tuition up front and get reimbursed, may need to stay with the company for a certain amount of time upon completion, etc.
When the job market is good, it is easy to get a job with just the bachelor’s. Opportunities will be greater and salaries will be higher with a master’s degree.
@TMNTsqu, It wasnt that difficult; it’s seem to be pretty common. It was one a selling points when they were trying to recruit her to go with their company. Several of my daughter’s classmates receive similar offers. Most of the large contractors provide them if they see that you have what it takes.