From Top Undergrad Engr Program to....?

Graduate School
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<p>I currently attend UC Berkeley and will be graduating with a BS in Civil Engineering (ranked #1 by USNWR). Also I have somewhat unique situation (for this school) because I’m an returning student with a family (including children). </p>

<p>Despite Cal’s open arms to student parents, the Engineering program is impacted and I can’t stay here more than 5 semesters (total). So, I have no choice but to take 14-16 units per semester which is a tough load for someone with my responsibilities.</p>

<p>As a result, I’m a pretty average student here in terms of grades (GPA around 3.0). Also, I don’t have time to do any research. I’ve talked to my advisor about the fact that I’m unable to get the most out of my time here at Cal due to my responsibilities and my inability to stay here beyond 5 semesters, but there really isn’t much she can do for me.</p>

<p>Frankly, I have no interest in research and, because I have a family, I really need to work; so I wasn’t really considering going to a Master’s program. But upon my graduation my spouse and I will be relocating to San Jose and I’m considering applying for the graduate Industrial and Systems Engineering program at SJSU (its an evening program so I’ll be able to work while there). </p>

<p>I’m interested in the program primarily because SJSU has a lot of students and teachers who work in Silicon Valley and the networking opportunities are countless. Also, I know that I can get into their program without a problem (minimum GPA 2.8 and no GRE required). Primarily, though, my educational interests are in strictly for the sake of professional advancement.</p>

<p>So, my question is, how does it look to employers when someone graduates from a highly ranked engineering school then goes to a not-so-reputable graduate school (actually, their graduate ISE program is ranked 3rd among schools where the highest degree offered is a master’s degree)?</p>

<p>Am I making myself look bad by doing this? Am I “wasting” my top-tier undergraduate education? Or are my doubts rooted academic snobbery? </p>

<p>Thanks for taking the time to read this long post!</p>

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<p>I’d say this if you get your degree as an evening one while you’re working.</p>

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<p>@ RacinReaver…I will be working during any master’s program, so you’re probably right. </p>

<p>I guess this really isn’t the place to ask about employment/professional issues since most of the people who frequent this site are more focused on academia than the professional world. </p>

<p>But if anyone else has any insight into how making this decision might affect my career, please share.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

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<p>I got my masters from a part-time coursework-only evening program for working professionals. In my experience they ARE generally discounted when compared to research-based degrees, and SHOULD BE!!! My school was relatively respected (Johns Hopkins) but the quality of education at the evening grad program was not good, and I learned much less than I feel I should have.</p>

<p>That having been said, it will not by itself hurt you, it just will not help as much as a quality program will. Most companies are familiar with these types of programs and understand that you are trying to improve your level of knowledge and that often these programs are the only available avenue. They may pass you over for someone else with a research-based masters, but will still count you higher than just a BS.</p>

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<p>@cosmicfish</p>

<p>Thanks a lot! Good to know. Considering that I have no desire to get a researched-based graduate degree (and my GPA is not good enough anyway) I’m definitely NOT considering graduate programs like Stanford’s. Programs like that just don’t offer what it is I’m looking for: a work-focused approach. </p>

<p>Understandably, I may be passed over for someone with a more research-oriented master’s degree, but that would be happening regardless if I all had was a B.S. </p>

<p>I’m going to give the SJSU program some serious thought. If it can get me in the door, then I can use my work ethic to earn myself a higher position within the company, which works for me.</p>