<p>Son was accepted at first Masters of Mechanical Engineering program today. Great stats/undergrad resume and is currently working at his first job. Graduated last May.</p>
<p>For future employers, would it make a difference if Master's was from Purdue, Penn State or Georgia Tech? They all rank in the top 15 for this program. </p>
<p>Thanks. It may help with his decision. </p>
<p>I’m an engineer and we do hire from all three of the universities you mentioned. We only higher MS grads with an undergraduate cumulative GPA of a 3.7 and at least the same for an MS. Rarely we hire folks with only a bachelors but they are hired as technicians so obviously its better to put in the extra time to get an MS.</p>
<p>My husband hires in his engineering firm also. In addition to your son’s undergrad work, and grad work, his job experience will also be considered. DH says they actually train all of their engineering staff for THEIR company’s work. They are looking for folks who can learn. He says all three of those engineering programs are fine.</p>
<p>In my husband’s work (consulting engineering), a PE is also needed.</p>
<p>Check with the Career Placement offices for each school. Some companies will favor certain schools.</p>
<p>"""
For future employers, would it make a difference if Master’s was from Purdue, Penn State or Georgia Tech? They all rank in the top 15 for this program.
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<p>lol…no.</p>
<p>No, but the academic climate is different at those schools, so he should be looking at which fits his own personality best. Beyond that, does he prefer to be in the South, North, or midwest? </p>
<p>No difference. There is not a huge difference in salary for MEs with a Masters compared to MEs that have two years work under their belts and those that do have Masters get them while they are working using tuition reimbursement so “which college” that is picked doesn’t make much difference. Actually when I was in HR I saw more mechanical engineers with MBAs than I saw engineers with an engineering masters degree, so I would say to the OP tell your son to go where he wants that costs the least :-)</p>
<p>The OP mentioned his son is currently working. Relevant experience at a full time job is generally more important for employment than school name. The highest level of degree achieved can have a notable influence on hiring. In my field of engineering (EE related), it is not uncommon for job positions to require a MS or for employers to state that they prefer candidates with a MS.</p>
<p>That said, employers located near the college are more likely to be familiar and look favorably upon the school, have various connections with persons in hiring positions having gone to the school, have internship opportunities, have career fair recruiting, etc. For example, I’m originally from NYS. I traveled to the west coast for college at Stanford. My job search involved handing out my resume to companies that I met at the engineering career fair, which were mostly west coast companies that had unique connections to the school. Through the career fair, I had an opportunity to learn about the companies and decide where I’d most like to work. I went on several interviews during spring break and eventually accepted an offer. The two persons most responsible for my hiring decision also went to Stanford, which I expect influenced their decision and the size of their offer. Had I returned to NY after college and looked for work there, the job search likely would have been more challenging. However, if I had chosen to attend Cornell, then live in upstate NY, I likely would have had similar benefits to Stanford with silicon valley employers. In short, I’d consider what you want to do with the degree, including where you’d like to work after completing the degree. </p>
<p>Thanks for all your replies.</p>
<p>Son will remain at his job full time and take the Masters Online program that each of these schools offer. All are highly ranked for the online program and stream the classes so they are identical to those taking them in person. The online students get the same degree as if they were there in person, unlike some other grad school programs. This seems to be very common now and allows the student to continue employment and gain experience. In that regard, location does not matter at all. </p>
<p>Like data10, son obtained his undergrad internships as well as his current job offer(s) from attending his schools job fair. </p>
<p>From all your responses, it seems that any of the 3 schools mentioned will be fine for him. </p>
<p>I’d check to see if the employer will pick up the tab/reimburse for the Masters as a perk of employment. </p>
<p>This is how most engineers I knew of who pursued their masters paid for it. Of course, this is conditional depending on whether grad course grades and progress meet employer requirements. </p>
<p>In one case I know of from a relative, his employer reimbursed 100% for all A level grades, 80% for B/B+ level grades, and nothing for anything below that as a B- or below is considered failing in many such programs*. </p>
<ul>
<li>This is the norm for many academically oriented and some professionally oriented Masters and PhD programs.<br></li>
</ul>
<p>How awesome is it that you can now be enrolled in a graduate program and travel for work or even relocate without losing a step. </p>
<p>My s is in on of these programs. It is working out well and his company is paying for it. </p>