I'm considering getting my Masters Degree, and am hoping to get some advice from other like minded/skilled people.
I currently have a BSEE from a second tier engineering school but have still managed to score jobs at really great companies doing really cool work, and have an excellent resume. I've worked in Aerospace, Commercial LED Lighting, and Integrated Circuits. I usually have a 70-80% call-back rate when I send out my resume for a position I'm interested in.
I find myself living about 20 minutes from the University of Colorado, which has (without question - IMHO) the best power electronics curriculum in the world. The professors literally wrote the text book that all of the other schools use. The curriculum literally exists to crank out the very best power supply design engineers in the world. Ironically, I have spent the last 11 years of my career working in the field of power electronics. My primary purpose in getting a masters would be to compliment my practical experience with a more theoretical background, and to study under the best professors in the world in my area of expertise.
So today I'm wondering
1) With my work history, is their any value to getting my Masters?
2) Should I get an M.Eng or a non-thesis MS? The only two differences I can discern is that the GRE is required to be admitted to the MS program and I would get 6 years to complete my M.Eng. vs 4 on the MS.
3) Do companies typically discern between M.Eng, MS, non-thesis MS?
4) I'm leaning towards doing this despite the fact I don't think it will really provide any additional income, I think it is likely to open more doors, particularly once I hit FI, and I can truly do whatever I want. Does that make sense? Has anyone had experience going to get their Masters for this reason? How'd it turn out for you?
Other facts:
1) I have 0 desire to get my Ph.D. so I don't think I need a thesis based program.
2) I do plan on being FI in the next 10 or so years, but I don't particularly want to RE.
3) According to salary.com I am very well compensated for my skill set and I don't expect any increase in salary when I complete the curriculum. Also, my current company will cover a considerable chunk of the tuition, so cost isn't a factor in this decision in anyway (both income and cost of education) other than perhaps the education is nearly free.
4) I have little desire to manage from an 'manager' perspective. However, I have an incredibly strong desire to be a business leader as far as involved with negotiations, client facing, innovative, having technical direct reports, etc. Therefore, I have aspirations of being CTO, Chief Engineer, Fellow, etc. at some point in the future.
5) I have a child, and doing graduate course work will take away from my time with her.
Thoughts? What would you do? What have you done?