Scared and Confused

[hailthegunners]

I have been accepted to MSE Nanotechnology program at Upenn. I have admits for MS Mechanical from a few universities, but they are not as prestigious as Upenn. I talked to a senior and he said jobs are not that easy to find after an MSE and most of the students are planning to do a PhD. I am really confused as to what I should do. Should I accept this admit and hope that things change in two years time? or should I go for a safer MS Mech program at a supposed lesser university? Are nano-technologists in demand? I am not just talking about USA, do I have a chance abroad, say Europe or Asia ( India)?

I am really confused, as an international student I dont want to spend a lot on my MSE and then end up jobless. On the other hand this is once in a lifetime opportunity for me to study at a good school.

I would really appreciate your help guys. Please help me out.

[ogopo]

I'm not in the field of nanotechnology but I remember my supervisor saying that it is THE field to get into right now for jobs.

However, it seems quite unusual to me that you do not have funding. Don't all science students get funding for their grad school? Especially since you are an international student, if you don't have funding, this degree will cost you a lot. Do any of your offers include funding??

Sorry, I didn't actually answer your questions, I just furthered them. I hope others have better input than me.

Good luck with your decision.

[oldfogey]

Are any of the offers funded? Partially or fully? When you say you talked to a senior - is that an undergraduate senior or ...? Are they in the field of nanotechnology or mechanical engineering? You will have to do your homework to find out what the trends are for jobs in nanotechnology and mechanical engineering fields across different countries. Additionally, do you know if UPenn is good in nanotechnology or are you going by the US Reports for rating? Is your advisor known in the field? trying our something new? Is he funded? Lots of publications?

Unless you are independently wealthy, I would go for funded offers or options where I will be paid either as TA/RA combined with a tuition waiver. Taking on debt, especially if all I am interested in, is a job after my degree, is not my cup of tea, YMMV.