<p>Alright, you’ve been of a lot of help so far, so I might as well ask your opinion about my situation (although I really hate these types of questions on the forum but here goes)</p>
<p>The main issue is how a degree from a top 10 college changes things, and which options make career switching easier.</p>
<p>First I will get my BS this semester and start work officially this summer. I will join a top 10 engineering grad school next year, and I am pursuing MechE (and I didn’t really think about what to do at grad school, it was a natural choice then). </p>
<p>In the short run I would like to move up the ladder (maybe into product design or project management) as QUICKLY as possible. So I believed a technical MS would compensate the lack of experience (well less than one in four of those who have a bachelor go for a masters). And you said it, a masters gives more credibility, this implies more likelihood of assuming management positions.</p>
<p>Of course I will get my PE but this is one of the things I am doing because they are easy and I cannot discern any benefit out of it - may be you can advise here! (I already passed the FE and am a licensed E.I.T. all that will be left is passing the PE exam. I really love engineering and so far my GPA is 3.95 so i think this is going to be a walk in the park!)</p>
<p>In the long run I would like to have either an upper management position or a career shift to finance and accounting. MOST IMPORTANTLY i want to be working in an industry leader corporation that would be one of the world’s largest! For that I plan to get an MBA from a reputable school in 6-8 years.</p>
<p>This was originally the plan, until i was surprised at where i am doing my coop that people are pursuing MEMs! And PMPs are awarded by good bonuses! so begs the question: is my planning wrong… I still think the MEM is nonsense - but we are talking return on investment here and not academic benefit - so just ditch the MSME for MEM… EVEN THOUGH i am going to a top school?</p>
<p>Hey, the longer the answer the better… give me your honest opinion: how workable is my plan, i don’t really care about having an alphabet soup after my name, but some certifications are rewarded (e.g. MBA) and some are not (fill in the blank)!</p>