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I've heard conflicting things about getting your PhD. I have been told that you're "practically unmarketable" if you get your PhD (from a prospective employer). But logically,wouldn't you have more opportunity with a Ph.D? Or are you limiting yourself to teaching and research only?
first off, how do you get your PhD from a prospective employer?
secondly, PhD in engineering is interesting case, since you can make some nice $$$ with engineering BS degree. Myself is going for PhD in engineering, I can tell you from personal experience, a person can make more money if you work after BS for 5 years, versus going to PhD for 5 years.
So PhD in engineering shouldn't be about the money, you should really enjoy working in lab and doing research to be an engineering PHD.
and your logic about "wouldn't you have more opportunity with a Ph.D" is wrong, I don't know where did you get that idea from. I know some people actually hide their PhD degree for job hunting, or drop out of the PhD programs after obtaining master's degree.
first off, how do you get your PhD from a prospective employer?
secondly, PhD in engineering is interesting case, since you can make some nice $$$ with engineering BS degree. Myself is going for PhD in engineering, I can tell you from personal experience, a person can make more money if you work after BS for 5 years, versus going to PhD for 5 years.
So PhD in engineering shouldn't be about the money, you should really enjoy working in lab and doing research to be an engineering PHD.
and your logic about "wouldn't you have more opportunity with a Ph.D" is wrong, I don't know where did you get that idea from. I know some people actually hide their PhD degree for job hunting, or drop out of the PhD programs after obtaining master's degree.
ffs, it's quite clear that the OP meant they were told this by a prospective employer. Since you are going for a PhD, I guess your comment was designed to be pedantic rather than stupid.
I've heard conflicting things about getting your PhD. I have been told that you're "practically unmarketable" if you get your PhD (from a prospective employer). But logically,wouldn't you have more opportunity with a Ph.D? Or are you limiting yourself to teaching and research only?
There's going to be fewer job openings for Ph.D. degrees. Of course there are fewer Ph.D.'s, and the positions are higher level and pay more. The question is are you willing to work at the higher level enough to beat out the other people going after the same job?
Most people with a B.S. are given entry positions, a Ph.D. is going to be expected to know many things when they start, so you have to know what you're doing. So basically it's something you do if you want to be a specialist at a certain field(s).
From my perspective as a BS and MS holder in engineering, turned military pilot, I'd say a PhD in engineering is as useful as the runway behind you. LOL
If your employer will pay for it and you have 5 years of your life to waste, go for it, otherwise pass go and collect 200. If you're doing it to get a teaching position I would strongly urge you to forego that plan. Teaching doesn't pay squat and you're fighting thousands of people doing the same thing to end up starving adjuncts in their mid 30s. No thanks.
As to people making serious cash with a BS in engineering, yeah right. Top out anywhere from high 60s to low 90s but you're out of a job in 3-7 years and have to relocate all the time, (if you're in defense). I rather make 70K for the rest of my productive life and not have to hit the reset button on my life and career everytime the project closes. they can keep that globalization mantra garbabe. To each their own. Good luck.
I think it depends on what you want to do with your career. You can have a great career stopping at a BS. Go for an MBA after some years of xp if you are looking to move into a management type role (not neccesarily money but could be project as well). A MEM works well here too if you want to stay on the technical side of things.
If you really want to get into the research side of things I might go for an MSE and then possibly a PHD. Or if teaching were something you were interested in a PHD is probably mandatory. If I was going for an MSE I would probably do that back to back with the BS. MBA's or MEM I would get some xp first.
With a PHD you can also move into consulting. Although xp is just as important. Whatever you do I would not get anything higher then a masters until you get some xp under your belt.
I do agree that you might be limiting your career choices with PHD as you will probably specialize in something, but you can still look at consulting. getting your PE might look a little better with a PHD but I have been out of any industry that requires them for too long to comment
Thanks all. My situation is that I have 3 yrs experience in structural design after my Bachelors. Lost my job last fall and have used this last spring & summer as an opportunity to finish my Masters. The university has the $$ and is looking for Ph.D students, so an assistant-ship is in the bag. Since I am currently without a job- it is an opportunity I can't pass up. Although, it is one I NEVER thought of before this year!
Since I'll be a full time student, it wont be possible to hide the Ph.D. So, once I take that step down the research road...
Just trying to stay on track and manage a career despite this job market. Hopefully the Ph.D will pay off through rewarding work if nothing else. Everything is competitive right now - even my other employment options as state/county engineer or teaching high school math aren't sure things.
Really depends on what you are doing, and where you got that Ph.D. I know a few engineer who got PhDs from elite schools... and let me tell you, I bet they are making alot more than most engineers with a BS and only 5 years of experience.
Really depends on what you are doing, and where you got that Ph.D. I know a few engineer who got PhDs from elite schools... and let me tell you, I bet they are making alot more than most engineers with a BS and only 5 years of experience.
DH has a PhD from the University of Illinois, and I would bet not. Not unless they have gone into management, in which case the PhD is useless.
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