Master's degree after five years in workforce?

[JinkPROJECT]

Anybody here applying to/attending grad. school after several years in the workforce? I'm an electrical engineer and I received my BS five years ago, but I have an ardent desire to pursue my Master's degree. I'd like to know how difficult it has been for others who are in the same boat as I am. Thanks in advance.

[free_radical]

I applied for PhD programs after working for some time in industry.  I would say the hardest part was getting recommendation letters - not that people were unwilling to provide them, but it felt slightly awkward emailing professors from a few years ago, re-introducing myself, and asking for recommendations.  Other than that, I don't think it was much different than applying as a traditional BS graduate - although there were several times when I wish I had an academic advisor who could help me with my personal statements, give advice on which programs were a good fit, etc.  On my visit weekends to campuses, there were several people who were currently working...all of whom had varying degrees of comfort in telling their employers they were applying to graduate school.  If you're wary about telling your employer, then obviously there's that challenge. 

 

In summary - yes, it was intimidating coming back to academia after being in industry, but very well worth it.  I'm happy with my application cycle, and I think I have a MUCH better idea of what I want to do then when I was a BS graduate.  

[Chai_latte]

I completely agree.  I needed that time off to cement my goals/area of interest.  Like the previous poster, I didn't do a ton of university visits.  I'd say that was the only thing that differed.  I had a mix of recommendations.  One was from work, the other was from a related course I had taken as a post-baccalaureate and the other two were from college.  Thankfully, I had kept up with my two college professors.  So, there was no refresher necessary.  But, when my post-bacc. prof began flaking out on submitting/writing the rec., I did panic b/c I was worried about getting a third LOR from college.  At that point, my UG research advisor stepped in an said that she could speak to anyone from the department on my behalf for that final LOR.  Thankfully, I didn't need that, BUT if getting LORs is a little awkward, you can always lean a little more heavily on a prof. who definitely does remember you (and let him/her work some intra-departmental magic).  

In hindsight, I don't have any regrets.  Each year off was productive and truly necessary.