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Should I pursue a PhD degree? Need yr advice!


gjktc121

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Here is my story: Till now I've been admitted into two graduate programs in Mechanical Engineering:

1. MS program of Columbia U, no funding

2. PhD program of JHU, full funding+ $26k/y stipend

I'm indeed interested in ME field but I hope to become a professional engineer in relevant industry rather than a faculty member or a researcher. And I've heard that actually students who graduate with a PhD degree have less opportunity to find a professional position compared to those graduate with a MS degree while they are more likely to become a professor or scientist. So now I doubt whether a PhD degree is benefit for fulfilling my career goal and should I pursue a MS degree instead.

Yet for me, pursuing a PhD degree also has its advantages. I'm an international student and have never been to America, so I really need time to adapt myself to the life in US and have some basic knowledge on career prospects of mechanical engineering. But a 1-2 year master program may be too short for this process which may lead that I'm not very prepared when graduation and consequently cannot find a good job. On the other hand, a four-year doctoral is more appropriate since I can accumulate some professional experience during my PhD stage through finding a internship for example, so I'll get better prepared when I need to find a job.

Is it true that in US a Master degree is more suitable for a professional position than a PhD degree? I have no idea on this issue so I really need your advice, especially those from people who are familiar about mechanical engineering field. Thanks everyone!

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Hey gjktc121,

I'm also a mechanical engineer, currently pursuing a Master's in aerospace. I too want to become a professional engineer in relevant industry, so that is why I am pursuing a Master's, not a PhD. Plus I'm in Canada so you have to get a Master's first anyways. I have heard that a PhD can really limit you in terms of career options. I'm pursuing a research-based Master's and am going to attempt to do an internship as part of my program. I also find the idea of doing a PhD and committing 4+ years (and most likely it will be more than 4 years) to be very daunting, as I have yet to really dive into my subject matter.

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Hey gjktc121,

I'm also a mechanical engineer, currently pursuing a Master's in aerospace. I too want to become a professional engineer in relevant industry, so that is why I am pursuing a Master's, not a PhD. Plus I'm in Canada so you have to get a Master's first anyways. I have heard that a PhD can really limit you in terms of career options. I'm pursuing a research-based Master's and am going to attempt to do an internship as part of my program. I also find the idea of doing a PhD and committing 4+ years (and most likely it will be more than 4 years) to be very daunting, as I have yet to really dive into my subject matter.

Thank you for your advice, ktel. Maybe you are right and now I'm considering the MS program, however, I'm really anxious about the feasibility. Inside a year of short half time, I need to adapt to American way of life, keep up my grades in university, and in the same time accumulate some working experience. I worry that I will have a terrible time during my master stage.Thank you for your advice, ktel. Maybe you are right and now I'm considering the MS program, however, I'm really anxious about the feasibility. Inside a year of short half time, I need to adapt to American way of life, keep up my grades in university, and in the same time accumulate some working experience. I worry that I will have a terrible time during my master stage.

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A masters degree in the US is considered a "professional" degree in that it is generally the requirement for more-than-entry-level work in related fields. This is generally because the difference between masters curriculum and PhD is one year of "advanced coursework".

However, with a Masters you will be limited in income potential; the most lucrative jobs are generally for those with PhD's. If you're fine with that I might go for the Masters, though study (and living) in New York is not cheap. I would do some job search to see just what the job requirements are for those "top notch" ME jobs (I'm looking at Indeed.com and, indeed, the top spots strongly prefer PhD applicants for industry positions).

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A masters degree in the US is considered a "professional" degree in that it is generally the requirement for more-than-entry-level work in related fields. This is generally because the difference between masters curriculum and PhD is one year of "advanced coursework".

However, with a Masters you will be limited in income potential; the most lucrative jobs are generally for those with PhD's. If you're fine with that I might go for the Masters, though study (and living) in New York is not cheap. I would do some job search to see just what the job requirements are for those "top notch" ME jobs (I'm looking at Indeed.com and, indeed, the top spots strongly prefer PhD applicants for industry positions).

You've recommended a good website for me, ANDS!. I have searched some jobs on it by myself and I think I have got my answer. Thank you!

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