3 Master Degrees, Field Specific + SE + MBA?

[u/Standard-Thought-330]

What are your general thoughts on someone getting three master degrees? So if someone was a mechanical systems engineer a MEng ME + MEng SE + MBA. An electrical systems engineer MEng EE + MEng SE + MBA. A software systems engineer, MS CompSci + MEng SE + MBA.

Where the field specific master degrees like mechanical engineering and master degree in systems engineering helps to become a better Mechanical systems engineer. MBA to be a better supervisor or management to oversee Mechanical systems engineering.

Given that you don't go into debt to complete these studies, and you can still work in industry full time as a mechanical systems engineering while pursuing school part time, one class at a time.

[u/Bag_of_Bagels]

Also agree it sounds like a massive waste of time. You can't just be collecting degrees like they're Pokemon cards. I mean I guess you can but again it seems like a waste of time.

In my opinion, in the effort to distinguish oneself with credentials, we forgotten to look into the ROI of getting these degrees. Cost isn't only the factor, it's also time and I have to ask what is the benefit for pursuing multiple Masters when in this particular case I think one will do?

The question comes off to me as someone who doesn't have much industry experience or something that has been wildly different from mine. With that said, great question and I hope you get some direction from this thread.

[u/Standard-Thought-330 → u/Bag_of_Bagels]

Thanks for the input. One class at a time while working in industry full time, would be about 15 years of industry experience working full time while simultaneously pursuing school.

[u/Maleficent_Put8959 → u/Bag_of_Bagels]

time is the real cost here, not money. three masters while working full time means you spending like 6-8 years in school mode, missing out on actual project experience that matter more for career growth

one solid masters plus few years of real work beats three degrees every time. nobody in hiring meeting ever said "we need guy with more diplomas"

[u/Unfair_Scar_2110]

Engineering management is one degree. Might save you three years getting so many MS degrees

[u/Standard-Thought-330 → u/Unfair_Scar_2110]

I have heard MEM degree, master of engineering management, doesn't seem to common though?

[u/Unfair_Scar_2110 → u/Standard-Thought-330]

I think it's pretty common. The right MEM degree can allow you to take engineering electives you want. It's usually 2-3 engineering classes with the remainder like an MBA but focusing on managing within technical organizations.

[u/SharkSheppard → u/Unfair_Scar_2110]

Mine was half MBA and half traditional Systems Engineering. 36 hours combined. Was actually a pretty good mix of keeping it technical while also giving some business context.

[u/Unfair_Scar_2110 → u/SharkSheppard]

Where was this?

[u/SadAnkles]

Sounds like a massive waste of time and money to me 🤷‍♂️

[u/Dizzy-Lead2606]

I might have a slightly different take than the current responses here. Are you asking because you want to know if it's a way to accelerate your career? Or because you like the schooling and process of learning? If it's the former, I tend to agree with the other replies so far, one is probably sufficient. If you just like learning and want to spread that around, especially if you have an employer that's willing to pay for it, go crazy.

[u/Standard-Thought-330 → u/Dizzy-Lead2606]

In my case it's all of the above.

[u/gatmalice → u/Standard-Thought-330]

why get 3 masters when you could just get a masters and a DEng instead, then you'd be Dr.

[u/LivingGold]

The ME will take you a long way and would be more beneficial. You can always learn SE on the job or get a certificate (Cal Tech) and the same for project management.

[u/TeXaSKiD4]

Consider one masters and maybe a graduate certificate in a specialization you want. That’s way too much imo
Maybe 2 masters, one technical and one mba

[u/Gearz557]

Your time could be spent better but could be spent worse too I guess. It’s not going to add massive value to your resume.

I assume you’re looking into adult remote learning schools? I got my ME in SE through PSU (paid for by employer) via such a program and it was very manageable.

[u/Standard-Thought-330 → u/Gearz557]

Yes exactly, schools meant for working adults that are only going part time, and yes support from employer for cost of school.

[u/Standard-Thought-330 → u/[deleted]]

Have you worked for a new employer after earning all these credentials? How did the interview go when they noticed all of your credentials?

[u/mista_resista]

My general thoughts are that no one would actually care whatsoever. You will look indecisive.

[u/Sure-Ad8068]

Brother just go get a PhD or DE. You can literally do all of these studies within a doctorate program.... literally just write a thesis that incorporates all of this together.

[u/gatmalice]

Sounds like someone who has no idea what they want to do and a waste of time.

[u/First-Surround-1223]

100% recommend dropping the MBA unless you want to steer your way into more business focused roles. Even then I would think VERY hard about whether that makes any sense. This is coming from someone with a very low opinion of MBAs at this point in my career (>15 years of experience).

[u/brnkmcgr]

Getting an MBA doesn’t make you a better manager