I am seeking input from engineering degree holders, or knowledgeable others, about the marketability of foreign Master’s engineering degrees here in the U.S. My son with a B.S.E. degree from an American university has been working for a few years in private industry, and is now weighing whether to get a Master’s degree in his field of engineering. He has identified several domestic graduate programs, but also is considering one or two European schools, for a Master’s degree in engineering in his field of interest.
If he obtains a Master’s degree from one of the European graduate programs, how much (if any) impediment would this be to subsequent employment back here in the States? What considerations should he give to getting such a Master’s degree?
Would getting an international Master’s degree be an impediment to entry into a Ph.D. program in the USA?
I am trying to inform myself about the potential plusses and minuses of getting an international Master’s degree in engineering, just in case I am asked for fatherly advice about such a choice. Thanks in advance for any advice that can be provided!
If he wants to do a PhD, he can apply to PhD programs with a bachelor’s degree; a master’s degree is not a prerequisite (although PhD students may do a master’s degree on the way to a PhD, or switch to a terminal master’s degree if they decide not to go through with a PhD).
Maybe the former, I don’t know; and I try not to quiz him too much or too aggressively because he will clam up and stop discussing the matter with me.
Cost may be one factor, as the European universities are a bit less expensive than the ones that he is looking at here in the USA.
And/or maybe he just wants a different type of educational experience. His undergraduate mentor came from abroad, and could be encouraging him to broaden his horizons.
Because a Master’s degree is often listed in job postings as a prerequisite for employment. He doesn’t want to teach on the college level, even with a Ph.D.
I wouldn’t go for Engineering overseas unless it is some subspecialty in very narrow field with a top professor that everyone in his field would know.
I do not see value in Masters from another country especially in Engineering. PhD may have some value is some very narrow specialty. Masters prior to Phd has 0 value unless to boost low BS GPA.
Good luck to your son. I am laughing here since that would be my sons reaction but as he gets older (25.5),that trait is diminishing greatly and he’s even more open to conversation.
My son also works as an engineer in Europe for the next 3 year’s (3 total). He works with many from Sweden, Poland, Finland etc. He’s in Sweden.
My son works with engineers educated all over the world. It’s a pretty elite team though that doesn’t hire new grads. They all came with previous, desirable industry experience and were strong performers.
As for MS anywhere prior to PhD, it’s a waste of time. MS is either a terminal degree by intent as it was in my son’s case, or granted to doctoral candidates that wash out or divorce their advisors.
If PhD is the ultimate goal, he should do as @blossom alluded to…review the literature and find the people working on the stuff that interests him. It will be funded, so cost, other than lost earnings, shouldn’t be an issue.
Best of luck to him. Feel free to PM if you want to discuss particulars.
I asked my H this question last night and he also said why the MS degree at all? Most of their engineers who want to advance their careers have MBAs or PhDs.
He also commented to be sure that if he does do a degree abroad, that he makes it abundantly clear that he’s a US citizen so that his resume doesn’t inadvertently get kicked out because of concern that he would need sponsorship.
My engineer husband said the same thing. He added that…with a great resume of work experience, an engineer can find other work (at least around here). Places seem to always be hiring. masters not required, but depending on the work, some places prefer a PE.
There is a place for terminal masters. Those who choose that route walk out with deeper technical knowledge and skill, thus more employment opportunities and an immediate bump in pay. That’s terminal masters though. I don’t see a purpose if someone is intending to immediately start a doctoral program.
What I see on Indeed, Glassdoor, and some Google searches. Some of the job postings list a gradation of criteria, with inverse amounts of experience based on degree attainment; many are in private industry (most of the government jobs seem to require a Ph.D).
He is a little uncertain whether he wants to get a Ph.D., and is concerned about burnout (and some other things) if he enrolls in a Ph.D. program; he also understands that he can get a Master’s degree as a “consolation prized” if he starts but does not complete a Ph.D. in some programs.