Continue in Industry or Go Back to Academia

Question

I have a Software Engineering Bachelor's degree, I was lucky enough to get an internship position at a not-so-big-but-well-paying tech company (AI) and over time I have come to love what I do.4 months later, they seem to like me and are giving me a fulltime offer.I initially wanted to go to grad school (MSc) but I am not sure if I should anymore, given the pandemic and what's happening in the world right now.Should I continue to build my skills at this company or go to grad school.Would not having a Masters/PhD hinder my career growth somewhere? Should I stay for the money?

brsg · Accepted Answer

Speaking anecdotally, going back to school for an MSc allowed me to pivot from an engineering career in the transportation industry to the data/software field. It would've been more difficult to get interviews for entry level roles without the shiny new degree from a school that was - quite frankly - more prestigious than my undergrad, however I can't say for sure that it's benefited me materially beyond that initial "start". Experience is much more important once you're in the field you want.I also continued working full-time while pursuing the degree half-time, which alleviated the risk of leaving a stable job. MSc degrees are much less likely to be fully funded than PhDs, and some companies will even reimburse your tuition as well.

elonmollusc · Answer

I worked for a few years and then went back to a Ph.D. program.
It's now possible to do an M.S. while you're working. There are now a number of good online programs, with Georgia Tech's OMSCS at the top of the pile. You might want to take a year or so in your current position and then evaluate whether an M.S. would be a career enhancer. The culture of Master's programs nationally is shifting towards working professionals doing their degrees online, so the case for quitting your job to go back to a full-time residential program is going to get weaker and weaker in the coming years.
Ph.D. is a totally different game and a bigger conversation. Short answer: unless you really, really want to work in academia it's not going to be worth the opportunity cost.

lnwlebjel · Answer

How about a software career in Academia? Figure out what you're interested in while doing software engineering and applying AI to ocean problems:
https://recruit.ap.ucsb.edu/JPF01941
A job like this would provide many connections within academia and would allow you to know something about the Profs and their groups before you sign up.

jokethrowaway · Answer

If you're doing to get better job prospects in the future, have a better CV, just go to work.If you want to pursue further education because you enjoy it, do it, likely it won't be too harmful for your career / savings.

giantg2 · Answer

Many companies will pay your tuition for night school. I got my masters that way.It seems that experience is valued more than degrees, from what I've seen. I would say pursue the job and then worry about a masters.

superbcarrot · Answer

Do you want to work in research? If yes, get a PhD. If no, stay at the current job. A master's degree doesn't seem worth it regardless of the direction you want to go.

Continue in Industry or Go Back to Academia

If you're doing to get better job prospects in the future, have a better CV, just go to work.
If you want to pursue further education because you enjoy it, do it, likely it won't be too harmful for your career / savings.

Many companies will pay your tuition for night school. I got my masters that way.
It seems that experience is valued more than degrees, from what I've seen. I would say pursue the job and then worry about a masters.

Do you want to work in research? If yes, get a PhD. If no, stay at the current job. A master's degree doesn't seem worth it regardless of the direction you want to go.