<p>If you are a Master's student who is about to go out looking for a job in a development program, this post may be of interest to you. I can give my background and hopefully somebody can offer some advice.</p>
<p>I am recent graduate who has fallen into a difficult situation. My background is that I have a Master's in ME from a top 10 school. Upon graduation i had 2 years of legitimate industry experience with a large company, I completed Master's research with a thesis, and I was at the top of all of my classes. I started full time in a leadership/development program with the company with which i had worked with while I was in school. I am currently at my home base where I will be working permanently which is where the trouble is. I have not be given any sort of responsibility and in fact, I have much less than I had when i was a student working at the company. It is as though the only thing extra that I am receiving for my extra education and experience, as opposed to if I had come in with a Bachelor's, is a larger paycheck. Unfortunately, that's not the only thing that I am looking for. I told my supervisor that I had some concern over the work that I was performing and did not get the response I had hoped for. I am now considering looking into another development program with a different company, however, I am concerned about falling into the same situation. </p>
<p>Does anybody have experience in the development programs out there who can offer any advice on how Master's student do in the program as opposed to Bachelor's students? </p>
<p>Or, does anybody know if there are development programs out there which are limited to Master's students only?</p>
<p>Get yourself a hobby or a personal development course that you privately pay.</p>
<p>The development course should be for you not for a company. The degree of MS/BS means nothing other than for the abbreviation of that body function.</p>
<p>It is hard to help with your problem without knowing more about the program you are currently in. Is it standard for all new hires, a seperate full-time program for a select few, or an optional part-time program? I am not aware of any MS-only programs, although I have heard of a couple that are BS-only as they include earning an MS as part of the program. What is the structure of the program, or at least the remaining portion of it? Also, how long have you been there?</p>
<p>At my company, MS and BS holders are treated more or less the same, but those with the masters are given more opportunities and are often expected to do a little more. The distinctions are relatively minor and essentially disappear after a few years. Also, at my company (and this has been true at the other companies with which I am familiar) new engineers have relatively limited responsibilities for the first few years, even with a masters. This is simply because they want you to spend that time learning the company, the industry, and the details of your work. They are not going to make you a manager or such just because you have a masters degree.</p>
<p>If you are not satisfied with the work you are doing, you can either look for ways to improve your standing at your company or you can jump ship. The latter is often a problem, especially if your tenure has been short - why hire someone who doesn’t even stick out 6 months when it may take years for you to generate profit? The former can be tricky, but is safer and generally wiser. Switch departments, ask for more responsibility, get involved with volunteer groups (gives exposure and demonstrates leadership), and above all make a point to excel at what you are currently doing - few companies will promote you until you have mastered your current position.</p>