Continue on or get out? - XDTalk Forums - Your HS2000/SA-XD Information Source!

WilliamWallace · 10-09-2007, 08:51 PM

In about 8 weeks or so, I will walk with my Master's in Nuclear Engineering. I have the opportunity to stay for another 2.5 to 3 years and get a PhD. The entire thing will be paid for and I will be paid an additional stipend each month. It isn't enough to support my family, so realistically I will also take on, say, another $30k in student loans over the next 3 years to get done. I am 32. I can realistically take internships during the summers at around $30-32 an hour to help offset some of the debt. My student loan debt is already considerable.

Would you stay for it or move on? I don't really know what exactly I want to do within the field yet, if you were going to ask

Oh, and I already quit the engineering job I got over summer because they told me they would allow me the time to finish my Master's and when it came time they said "Hell no!"... their words, not mine.

So, I am looking for some input, maybe things I haven't thought of, experience, etc.

Thanks guys!

lobster_roboto · 10-09-2007, 08:54 PM

I vote to be happy with your masters...
In my opinion a PhD is only good for being a professor or you have some strange desire to want to be called doctor..

Of course... I don't have my masters degree in anything... so I really have to room to talk.

Frostyeyes · 10-09-2007, 09:00 PM

What will allow you to buy more guns ????????????????? LOL
What is the best end result for you and your family >
In 20 years will it make that big a difference and will you be happy with your job if you have the Phd.?????
While knowledge is power it doesnt always go hand in hand with happyness.
Good Luck my friend think it over carefully and you will come up with the right answer.

Tom

**Frenchy** · 10-09-2007, 09:00 PM

I would think that if you strive for a career in academia, then the PhD should be your choice. Otherwise...Take your degree and go make some money!

rev-arb · 10-09-2007, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frenchy

I would think that if you strive for a career in academia, then the PhD should be your choice. Otherwise...Take your degree and go make some money!

Yeah I agree, is the PhD what you really desire? Then you need to go for it. Otherwise, go where the money is.

Etta Place · 10-09-2007, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamWallace

In about 8 weeks or so, I will walk with my Master's in Nuclear Engineering. I have the opportunity to stay for another 2.5 to 3 years and get a PhD. The entire thing will be paid for and I will be paid an additional stipend each month. It isn't enough to support my family, so realistically I will also take on, say, another $30k in student loans over the next 3 years to get done. I am 32. I can realistically take internships during the summers at around $30-32 an hour to help offset some of the debt. My student loan debt is already considerable.

Would you stay for it or move on? I don't really know what exactly I want to do within the field yet, if you were going to ask

Oh, and I already quit the engineering job I got over summer because they told me they would allow me the time to finish my Master's and when it came time they said "Hell no!"... their words, not mine.

So, I am looking for some input, maybe things I haven't thought of, experience, etc.

Thanks guys!

What attracted you to the field of nuclear engineering?

What sorts of jobs can you get with a Masters in the field? What about a Ph.D.?

sloan1919 · 10-09-2007, 09:04 PM

We need to know the starting salary differences and caps (with Master and with PHD). In my field (Computer Science) its not worth it.

Also are you doing anything on the side to generate income? Investments, real estate, small biz?

If you wait 3 years you will be 35. Whats the average age of entry level at the positions you are considering and what does competition look like. (Age, education, etc..) In all honesty a younger guy with a masters will have an advantage at most companies. I know it shouldn't be this way but I see it all the time. So if that is the case a PHD might make you look a little more competitive.

Also do you have a lot of experience in the field? Experience always means more than pieces of paper with most employers.

fastboy · 10-09-2007, 09:10 PM

I guess it depends on what kind of job/salary you can get in your field with a PhD vs. a Master's degree.

To me, a degree is just an investment in exchange for a better career prospect. You need to look at the return on investment of the degree in your field; I would have no desire for any higher education beyond the optimal return on investment. In some fields, such as science, anything below a PhD pretty much guarantees a low paying, dish washing lab tech job. You'd be a fool to finish without a PhD. In others, such as business, a PhD pretty much is a waste of money; MBA is enough to run a fortune 500 company.

WilliamWallace · 10-09-2007, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Etta Place

What attracted you to the field of nuclear engineering?

What sorts of jobs can you get with a Masters in the field? What about a Ph.D.?

Well, my father has been in the field for 30+ years. While doing my undergrad education in Mechanical Engineering, I figured out that I didn't really like it. That is a very good thing to learn in school. I got the opportunity to do nuclear research my sophomore year and I though I might not hate that... so I did it.

Well, 3.5 years later, I am about to finish my Master's in Nuke, so it all worked out.

Seems to me that the PhDs can teach, do research, or run the show at any of the labs or utilities they might end up at. From what I have seen, the Master's guys aren't running the show. Of course, my experience is somewhat limited in the field as I've been in school the whole time, but even the guys at school running nuclear research programs (non-professors) are PhDs. There are no Master's doing that.

Would the fact that it is a free ride be a deciding factor, or am I letting it cloud my judgement?

sloan1919 · 10-09-2007, 09:13 PM

One more question:

How stable is the field?

No pun intended.

View Poll Results: Which would you do?
Get the PhD.	17	42.50%
Take the Master's and run!	21	52.50%
Other-description kindly provided below	2	5.00%
Voters: 40. You may not vote on this poll

10-09-2007, 08:51 PM	#1
WilliamWallace XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 1,145	Continue on or get out? In about 8 weeks or so, I will walk with my Master's in Nuclear Engineering. I have the opportunity to stay for another 2.5 to 3 years and get a PhD. The entire thing will be paid for and I will be paid an additional stipend each month. It isn't enough to support my family, so realistically I will also take on, say, another $30k in student loans over the next 3 years to get done. I am 32. I can realistically take internships during the summers at around $30-32 an hour to help offset some of the debt. My student loan debt is already considerable. Would you stay for it or move on? I don't really know what exactly I want to do within the field yet, if you were going to ask Oh, and I already quit the engineering job I got over summer because they told me they would allow me the time to finish my Master's and when it came time they said "Hell no!"... their words, not mine. So, I am looking for some input, maybe things I haven't thought of, experience, etc. Thanks guys! __________________ You can get smart or you can get strong.

10-09-2007, 08:54 PM	#2
lobster_roboto XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,625	I vote to be happy with your masters... In my opinion a PhD is only good for being a professor or you have some strange desire to want to be called doctor.. Of course... I don't have my masters degree in anything... so I really have to room to talk. __________________ "Let's go straight to the source and ban crime"

10-09-2007, 09:00 PM	#3
Frostyeyes XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Livonia Michigan Posts: 910	What will allow you to buy more guns ????????????????? LOL What is the best end result for you and your family > In 20 years will it make that big a difference and will you be happy with your job if you have the Phd.????? While knowledge is power it doesnt always go hand in hand with happyness. Good Luck my friend think it over carefully and you will come up with the right answer. Tom __________________ Gun Control: What a Long Strange Trip It\'s Been

10-09-2007, 09:00 PM	#4
Frenchy XDTalk 10K Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Mid-Missouri Posts: 13,090	I would think that if you strive for a career in academia, then the PhD should be your choice. Otherwise...Take your degree and go make some money! __________________ ~SC Harvey~ 2008 Election..."Imbrace your ignorance, and vote your preference". It's quite simple, really... *If you vote for Obama, you are a fuking idiot. If you vote for McCain, you are a fuking idiot.* *If your vote is for the lessor of two evils, then you can be comforted knowing that you're less of a fuking idiot than the other guy! Because Fritz says so! RON PAUL IN 2008**

10-09-2007, 09:04 PM	#7
sloan1919 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 636	We need to know the starting salary differences and caps (with Master and with PHD). In my field (Computer Science) its not worth it. Also are you doing anything on the side to generate income? Investments, real estate, small biz? If you wait 3 years you will be 35. Whats the average age of entry level at the positions you are considering and what does competition look like. (Age, education, etc..) In all honesty a younger guy with a masters will have an advantage at most companies. I know it shouldn't be this way but I see it all the time. So if that is the case a PHD might make you look a little more competitive. Also do you have a lot of experience in the field? Experience always means more than pieces of paper with most employers. __________________ 0011 0010 0001 - 0010 0010 1000 - 0001 0110 0101 0000 Prohealth Medical Centers

10-09-2007, 09:10 PM	#8
fastboy XDTalk 1K Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: MI Posts: 1,356	I guess it depends on what kind of job/salary you can get in your field with a PhD vs. a Master's degree. To me, a degree is just an investment in exchange for a better career prospect. You need to look at the return on investment of the degree in your field; I would have no desire for any higher education beyond the optimal return on investment. In some fields, such as science, anything below a PhD pretty much guarantees a low paying, dish washing lab tech job. You'd be a fool to finish without a PhD. In others, such as business, a PhD pretty much is a waste of money; MBA is enough to run a fortune 500 company.

10-09-2007, 09:13 PM	#10
sloan1919 XDTalk 500 Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 636	One more question: How stable is the field? No pun intended. __________________ 0011 0010 0001 - 0010 0010 1000 - 0001 0110 0101 0000 Prohealth Medical Centers

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode