Should I purse a masters to become a Research Engineer?

Question

Background: Currently working as a 3D Graphics Engineer at a FAANG. I have done my Bachelors with Electronics as my Major and have a total experience of 10 years.I am doing very well in my current IC role and prefer to transition into a Research Engineer in Visual Computing space. I have done some internal homework at where I work and the feedback I get is it's worth doing a Masters which have a thesis component.I have really enjoyed the subject of 3D Graphics and a deep dive seems exciting.I am looking at doing the following two courses: 9 month M.Phil at University of Cambridge [1] and follow up that with a Masters in Visual Computing [2].There are no constraints whatsoever for me to pursue these full time for 3 years.I would like to draw upon the wisdom of those in the HN crowd who have followed similar routes to become Research Engineers (your subject of research is orthogonal). Did you do a Masters, did it make a difference? Or what alternative approaches you followed? Any insight welcome, thanks in advance!!![1] https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cscsmpacs[2] https://inf.ethz.ch/studies/master/master-cs-2020.html

wizzerking · Accepted Answer

I have found that having a Master's of Science on my resume' has been invaluable. I am 66 years old software Engineer, I would highly recommend a Master's of Science in virtually any Math, and/or Engineering discipline except Chemistry where i would recommend no less than a PhD unless you want to be a lab monkey all your life. I worked at SRI International in Menlo Park for 13 years. In Electrochemistry right out of College UC Davis Until I received my second and eventually 3rd Master's of Science I was considered a "Super Tech" by the PhD people there; i.e. a Lab monkey some one who carried out their (PhD's) programs When I found errors in their Math, or incompatibilities in their reasoning I earned their respect enough to be included in their (PhD's) planning but that took over 7 years.
Now that I have been effectively a Software Engineer for over 25 years, and taught my self Deep Learning, Python, and C++ I am commanding a rate of 80 per hour W2 but that required over 15 years and lots of learning.
So prove you can learn by obtaining a least 2 Master's of Science in somewhat related fields Like some Engineering, and Applied Math and things will be easier for you and somewhat more "fun"

giardini · Answer

I'd purse one if someone left a masters' lying around that had no name on it (and if I also carried a purse)!8-))OTOH I've often thought I should pursue a masters!