To Degree or Not Degree: Four Questions to Consider Before Pursuing a Master’s Degree

To Degree or Not Degree:

Four Questions to Consider Before Pursuing a Master’s Degree

By: Allie Lafitte & Gaby Camilli

To Degree or not degree; that is the question. Should you pursue a postgraduate degree in architecture, engineering, or construction space? Is it necessary to do so for your career advancement? As Career Consultants and experts in talent acquisition and people strategy, the question of whether someone should pursue an advanced degree is one we often hear from career professionals. My short answer to these common questions is: it depends. 

On both the engineering and architecture side of the industry, the path to becoming licensed in your respective field is an important one to consider in your career. A Master’s program does not always provide a straightforward path towards licensure. While both architecture and engineering programs offer Masters in each discipline, their relevance as it pertains to your career falls on a myriad of factors.

When making any major career decision, ask yourself the hard questions. Go past just the “why” and ask yourself if this move towards an advanced degree will genuinely benefit you. Think about the long game. While the short-answer response of “it depends” can be frustrating, within our industry, the relevance of a Masters’ program differs depending on where in the industry you fall and what professional goals you have. So what are those topics to consider? Let’s dive into a few: 

What is my Main Objective? 

Understanding what you are looking to gain from this experience is the first step when considering an advanced degree. Take the time and research needed to know if a degree is worth going after and what specific program makes the most sense for your continued education. 

Am I Seeking Professional Clarity? 

It is no secret that Master’s programs are a significant expense. Given a large amount of money, time, and energy required, it is advised to determine your career path prior to pursuing a master’s rather than after. If professional clarity is what you are after, there are many cheaper steps to take prior to making that academic commitment. From networking with industry professionals, confiding in a mentor, or talking through your values and goals with a Career Counselor; there are myriad less costly steps one can take in order to achieve career clarity. An exercise we often advise when aiming to understand your career further is the values list; a simple way to provide direction by moving one’s thinking away from “what am I qualified for” to “what do I want to do and what mark do I want to leave?”

Is Increasing my Earning Potential my Main Motivator?

Increased earning potential is where the “it depends” from earlier comes into play. While it is common to think an additional degree would allow one to start at a higher salary, it is not always the case. Take Mechanical and Electrical engineering as an example. While a Master’s in these disciplines shows continued interest and dedication to the subject, there is no guaranteed effect on earning potential from a Bachelors to Masters. These disciplines’ increased earnings traditionally come from one’s licensure status and years of experience in the field. Architecture is similar. On the Structural Engineering side of the industry, a Master’s in Civil Engineering and/or a Master’s in Structural Engineering are most often required, if not strongly preferred, for the vast majority of entry-level positions. The Developer side of the industry is similar, many times an MBA is required to remain competitive and get a seat at the table. 

Am I an academic?

It seems like a silly question but not everyone learns in a classroom setting and certainly, not everyone enjoys it. While it may come naturally to some, for others, it may be an added stress or focus away from work. If you are an academic enthusiast but aren’t in a sector of the AEC industry that necessarily rewards additional education, it may be wise to consider choosing a career that diversifies your skill sets and breadth of knowledge. For example, if you are working as a Project Manager in Site Civil, a Master’s in Civil won’t diversify your skill sets and differentiate your candidacy, whereas an MBA or Master’s in Construction Management will.

Regardless of where you fall in the industry, it’s important to know if an advanced degree will help with your career, and if so, which program to go after. The National Council of Architecture Registration Board, NCARB, published a guide highlighting different ways one can ensure they receive a quality education while setting themselves up for long-term success in the architectural space. Only when someone has chosen a degree outside of the standard 5-year program does an M.Arch (Master’s in Architecture) provide a next step toward independently practicing and benefit an individual long-term.  

Engineering is similar to Architecture in the structure of the education path, with a few exceptions. From the National Society of Professional Engineers, an individual looking to obtain engineering licensure will need to graduate from an ABET-accredited university, take and pass the Fundamentals Exam (FE) and start working under a Professional Engineer to gain experience to sit for their own Professional Engineering licensure exam. It is important to note that if one takes a hiatus from work to pursue a Master’s degree, they are delaying their eligibility for their PE due to the hours lost not working under a professional engineer. 

The decision to pursue additional education is a monumental one that has profound implications on your career, your personal life, and your financial fortitude. With any major life decision, intention, research, and thoughtfulness are always encouraged. If interested in talking through your specific academic plans and the potential pros and cons, email us at al@designforce.me for a complimentary career consultation!