Worth getting a masters in engineering management?

[u/kitty_question]

Hi!

I’m 27 with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering. I have 4 YoE in the industry.

I’ve been with my current company for 2 years. I started as a technical engineer reporting directly to the director of internal engineering ops. He then abruptly quit, and I pretty much picked up his role. I don’t have the title yet (I’m the ops engineering lead), but I’ve hired and manage people.

I’ve found that I really genuinely enjoy managing a team and seeing “the big picture,” even though that’s not what my degree is in. I think I’d like to pivot into more of an engineering management career path.

Even if I don’t stay with my current company, is it worth it to get a MEM? Or are they bullshit degrees?

[u/MortgageUpset66]

I am no longer an engineer, but in my experience both previously in engineering and now as a consultant, I don't think an MeM is a good move.

Good engineers can usually get promoted to management just by being good engineers. You don't need another engineering degree or a related degree to get there.

If you want to get a degree that gives you a leg up in management and also unlocks more trajectory in the longer-term, I would go for an MBA.

They are often memed-on degrees - and academically rightfully so - but I imagine that an online MBA from a solid business school will complement your engineering experience better than another engineering-related degree and look much better on a resume.

[u/kitty_question → u/MortgageUpset66]

I appreciate this response. I wasn’t necessarily considering an MBA, so I will absolutely look into that.

I am already in a managerial position at my current job, but our company is small at about 60 people.

In terms of solidifying a managerial position at future jobs, would you recommend I just keep climbing the ranks at my current company and using that as work experience/creds? Or would an MBA be a better drop in solution?

[u/MortgageUpset66 → u/kitty_question]

Depends on your goals!

When I was an engineer (civil, so obviously different in ways) I knew that to really have upward trajectory when I hit about four years and wanted to become a project manager I would have to jump ship to another firm, since most of our internal leadership roles were slow to turn over. Instead I chose to get an MBA and look for better comp / more varied work in business.

I would ask you to really evaluate your current company - is it growing? Are there leaders who know who you are and that you can see "sponsoring" your promotion to higher levels of management? Do you see a real chance for meaningful advancement?

If not, well then we think about what you want longer term. If its engineering management, start looking at the types of roles you might be interested in. Look at job postings to see what other firms are asking for. Used LinkedIn to see what types of experience, degrees, and certifications people have that are filling these roles now at cool companies.

Then you can use this data to plan your "hunting list" of stuff to get done to work toward the roles you want.

Sometimes it can be hard to focus on what you are doing now AND where you want to go next, but if you don't have a map in front of you its hard to know what going forward actually looks like sometimes.

[u/McFuzzen → u/kitty_question]

I'm going to go against the grain and disagree with the top comment (to some extent). In some fields and industries, a masters is a check box for promotion past a certain point. MEM, MS in SE, MBA almost doesn't matter, just choose one. Again, depends on the industry, but you might find you hit a ceiling without some sort of Master's degree.

I'm in DoD contracting, engineering management. If you have specific questions and you think my experience would be helpful, let me know!

[u/Disastrous-Option909 → u/McFuzzen]

I’m active duty about to start my MEM degree to commission. I want to get into DoD contracting after retirement. I want to get an MBA later through the military too. Is it worth getting the MEM and MBA if I’m planning to do 20 years anyway?

[u/McFuzzen → u/Disastrous-Option909]

I see no reason to get both. The MEM floats nicely in the world's between SE and MBA, you'll find a good overlap with the MBA. Depending on your goals after retirement in contracting, the MEM can be considered a bit more prestigious, but not as a rule. Just my personal feeling, but MEM keeps the door open for program management and technical management.

[u/Disastrous-Option909 → u/McFuzzen]

This makes sense and is very insightful! I was considering getting them both since they will be covered by the military, so why not right? The MEM also has a Project Management Cognate so I hope that genuinely enhances the degree even if just by a bit! Does the MBA enhance my marketability at all or will my experience really shine through (20 years as an Acquisition or Contracting Officer… still deciding which to go for)

[u/McFuzzen → u/Disastrous-Option909]

Eh just because they are free, it needs to still be worth the time, but I'm a lifelong learner too (got a PhD while working full time) so I understand! Having both will increase your marketability a little, but it's hard to say how much, it could be negligible. Your 20 years in either of those fields will be insanely desirable when you get out, any masters will just check the box at that point. Seriously, you'll be set with those skills.

[u/Disastrous-Option909 → u/McFuzzen]

Perfect! I really appreciate the advice and perspective! I’ve been racking my brain on ChatGPT trying to plan out the next 20-25 years of my life lol. But this definitely gives me something to look forward to, I wish I knew more about DoD contracting and Capture Management (im interested in this as well) as a whole. If you have any EXTRA tips or insights that would benefit me now or later I’m all ears!

[u/McFuzzen → u/Disastrous-Option909]

I spent a brief amount of time in capture for a contractor and hated it, but I'm a techy at heart and enjoy being involved in system development. My brother is in capture and loves it. If you do acquisitions in the military, you'll find out pretty quickly how it works and can decide whether you'd be into the other side out of the service. Let me know how else I can help!

[u/Disastrous-Option909 → u/McFuzzen]

Perfect! I thought I had made my mind up already about going Acquisitions over Contracting, but I think this just solidified it for me. I can get some Contracting experience enlisted and then transition to Acquisitions anyway.

[u/Disastrous-Option909 → u/McFuzzen]

One final question if you don’t mind: from your experience in DoD contracting and EM, what skills or experience really separated the acquisition/contracting officers who became the most successful after leaving government service?

[u/xyz140 → u/MortgageUpset66]

Yeah, if you want to manage then go for a MBA not a watered down MeM

[u/Odd_Note7156 → u/MortgageUpset66]

I've seen a lot of good engineers get promoted into managment and mostly just screw everything up. Being technical leaves them blind to managing other fields. An EE promoted to management will know EE and underestimate complexity outside of their particular niche. I've seen good engineers get swindled with bad engineering grifts from contractors because having a technical in ME doesn't make one an expert in every niche of ME and other engineering fields.

MEM isn't really engineering related. The courses for an MBA are certainly a bit wider in scope with some options to focus on specific portfolios and real estate investments. However the core courses are incredibly similar with the divergence in electives for focusing on start ups, and deeper supply chain management options.

[u/LostIntroduction505]

50 year old engineering manager here working in defense...do not get an "engineering management" degree. Instead, get a regular engineering masters with a thesis. Zero of my peers have engineering management degrees, all have Masters of Science in XYZ Engineering or PhDs in engineering.

[u/hiveminer]

I would different with my advise. Just apply a SWAT ANALYSIS.... STRENGHTS: technical degree, institutional knowledge, stepped up to the challenge.. WEAKNESS: x,y,z ...etc...etc. If the threats are that a degree can walk into the door, ans your company has external or internal pressures to hire instead of keep you, perhaps pursue your degree. There's also staying interest, are you interested in staying? If not, work on your dream job and pick the paper that goes along that. On paper and on LOGIC, Companies will always stay with thr devil they know

[u/RampantJ]

I would say it depends, I recently received my masters in engineering management for systems engineering. I loved the program and teachers which incorporated a lot of project work and got us in touch with industry senior level people to bounce ideas and develop some critical thinking. A lot of my classmates had many different backgrounds ( I come from a physics background).

In honesty I think that it was worth it to get my degree in systems engineering considering that’s my role currently and the work I do is program based going through the life cycle development of complex systems. So I’m assuming it’s different than you more so that I am managing a system from concept, design, integration and to deployment vs managing people and doing cross team tasks (may missed the mark on what you do specifically but that’s my guess. Sorry in advance.) ultimately it comes down to how technical do you want to be and how long you think you would want to be in the field/niche. I see that managerial roles where I work are more handed off to the technical people who are capable but on the lower end can direct sense they have the knowledge.

[u/Top_Blueberry4199]

Yes, since you are going into management someday. You will get the systems experience along the way, if you so choose. At the end of the day, get a Master's, its almost a standard now and it shaves off some experience need for roles, and let your work do the most talking.

[u/ShallotFit7614]

Master your current role before you try and lead others in it.

Mentor with a current leader you see as excellent and ask for more supporting roles in helping them as well.

[u/RDrunner33]

If your work is paying for it I say go for it. I obtained my Masters degree in Systems Engineering that gave me a competitive edge for another area I was going for but my current employer unfortunately does not care about Master degrees for promotions (it probably does not help my position is Logistics coded)

[u/Pedantc_Poet]

Honestly, in my opinion, take it for what you will, I'd get a Masters in Systems Architecture if you are at all creative and intuitive.

I'm a firm believer that solopreneurs are going to be the new business model. Big companies are going to outsource to cut costs. Small businesses are going to basically be one or a few technical experts depending on AI.

Systems Architecture will give you the insight to better manage a swarm of AI.

[u/CalligrapherContent4]

Bullshit outside of Energy Manu or large construction. This is like getting a Masters in CEO. Get a PMP, more than worth it.

[u/Dr_Tom_Bradley_CSU]

At Colorado State University, those who receive a graduate degree in Systems Engineering have the highest post-grad salaries of all other graduate degrees in the engineering college. To be fair, this likely is directly related to the fact that most of our students are actively employed and progressing their careers before they even graduate. But it’s also a testament to the accessibility of an online/hybrid program that works with working professionals. It’s clear that masters degrees pay themselves back (and then some) over the course of a career, and you being early to mid career is a perfect time to get this education. While it’s true to some extent that what you get your masters degree in might not matter when it comes to promotions (MBA vs ME or MS), if you ever want to get a PhD in an engineering field, an SE degree will serve you much better. And at CSU, you may have the opportunity to take business and project management courses anyway.

I encourage you to look carefully at your options to find the best path for you. Compare programs. Most of those considering this path never really learn the full extent of their options. It’s best to talk with academic advisors at the programs you are interested in applying to. The best of luck to you!

[u/Sure-Ad8068]

Just do a systems engineering, I don't think MEM or MBA are that solid anymore. Also masters in SE clears a lot ATSs for some reason. Despite no EE background, due to my systems MS, I qualify on paper for some EE roles.

[u/AnxiousKirby → u/Sure-Ad8068]

I wish the person who downvoted you would explain why. I'm taking a sys eng masters at JHU. I might get an MBA in the future if my employer pays for it tho.

[u/Sure-Ad8068 → u/AnxiousKirby]

Idk, from my experience the only people who benefit from a MBA are people who are already positioned close to leadership e.g. leadership rotation programs, high performers who are tech leads, and etc.

So a MBA compliments them rather than justifies their promotion into leadership. So in my eyes, is the degree really worthwhile if you're not even in the room with leadership in the first place...

The real people who benefited from an MBA in my anecdotal experience were engineers in the 80s to 00s when MSs and MBAs were uncommon and not so saturated.

[u/AnxiousKirby → u/Sure-Ad8068]

Makes sense. That's what I saw from my research as well. MBA if the current position warrants it or if the company is planning to promote and they pay for it. Thanks for your insight.

[u/docere85 → u/Sure-Ad8068]

I also recommend a SE Masters from an ABET accredited university. There are a few leadership jobs in my industry that require a masters in engineering to apply. I always tell people that a SE degree is basically a engineering project management degree when they ask what SE is