Engineering Doctorate
Discussion
(Mods, I wasn't sure where to put this thread, so feel free to relocate if it's in the wrong section)
I've heard of a few people in the construction industry being Doctors of Engineering and have just read a thread that spoke about a gent who was also a Engineering Doctor.
I'm just about to start my HND in Building
services and wondered whether it was possible to branch into general engineering and take a PhD?
The only problem is, I have a full time job already and although my company wouldn't have a problem sponsoring me through Uni, I'm sure they wouldn't want to lose me for 4 years. Is it possible to do a day release or does it require full-time education?
TIA
I've heard of a few people in the construction industry being Doctors of Engineering and have just read a thread that spoke about a gent who was also a Engineering Doctor.
I'm just about to start my HND in Building
services and wondered whether it was possible to branch into general engineering and take a PhD?
The only problem is, I have a full time job already and although my company wouldn't have a problem sponsoring me through Uni, I'm sure they wouldn't want to lose me for 4 years. Is it possible to do a day release or does it require full-time education?
TIA
Theoretically possible but...
- Normally a degree entry - either BEng MEng.
- Need to find someone willing to supervise you - if you're doing it part time.
- If you're doing it full time you'll need to find funding - can be difficult - and a supervisor and a topic. That said some supervisors will advertise a topic they want researching.
- Coming from the HND route you may struggle with the write-up / experimental side of things. The degree route does help in terms of the developing your thesis writing skills.
Edited by rhinochopig on Monday 23 November 11:07
Edited by rhinochopig on Monday 23 November 11:07
Indeed possible.
The thing with undertaking a PhD is knowing exactly why you want to do it in the first place. If it's an ego thing about being called Doctor... then you're in for a hard time of it. If it's because you genuinely have a passion for the research then it will make the dedication so much more bearable.
I have seen and known many people go through the stress of a PhD and the thesis and research is te easy bit, (and quite a few I know have written up theirs between 3 and 6 months start to submission)it's justifying the time and commitment that you need to be able to do.
The thing with undertaking a PhD is knowing exactly why you want to do it in the first place. If it's an ego thing about being called Doctor... then you're in for a hard time of it. If it's because you genuinely have a passion for the research then it will make the dedication so much more bearable.
I have seen and known many people go through the stress of a PhD and the thesis and research is te easy bit, (and quite a few I know have written up theirs between 3 and 6 months start to submission)it's justifying the time and commitment that you need to be able to do.
Cheers for the information, quite a lot to mull over there.
I was looking at a PhD because it's really the highest level you can achieve academically for a trade. I have a great love for engineering, be it Construction, Automotive, Aerospace or even making lawnmowers. The whole field fascinates me.
I haven't heard of an MSc, I'll jump onto google later and do a bit of reading.
Thanks again
I was looking at a PhD because it's really the highest level you can achieve academically for a trade. I have a great love for engineering, be it Construction, Automotive, Aerospace or even making lawnmowers. The whole field fascinates me.
I haven't heard of an MSc, I'll jump onto google later and do a bit of reading.
Thanks again
jshell said:
Master of Science is a little more hands on. PhD is research only so you just have to choose best route for you!
TBH I'd debate even that. Most MEng/MSc lads I've had working for me are useless when it comes to applying that knowledge. They know the theory well enough, but haven't a clue when it comes to how it's applied in a commercial environment.a PhD is a lot of work, the research can take years and is extremely in depth as you have to significantly add to the body of knowledge on the subject, and dont think its easy to select a subject from your work as a work investigation project is not the same as PhD research, different constraints and requirements.
i am in my last year of doing an MSc in Technology Management, and got accepted with many years experience as a design engineer and an HNC, all done part time over the last 3.5 years.
you have to be very clear on what you want out of this, studying part time is very doable BUT you have to be disciplined and motivated, theres nothing worse than having to finish an assignment in the summer when youve had a pants week at work and the mates/missus fancies a spell up the boozer on a sunny sunday afternoon and you have to stop in and work, this will happen every weekend during the summer and most weekday evenings. on the plus side you will have a usable qualification, and be able to demonstrate resourcefulness, dedication and commitment to a prospective employer.
if an MSc is not as high as you would like, then go for and MBA in your subject, again IMHO more usable than a PhD.
HTH
i am in my last year of doing an MSc in Technology Management, and got accepted with many years experience as a design engineer and an HNC, all done part time over the last 3.5 years.
you have to be very clear on what you want out of this, studying part time is very doable BUT you have to be disciplined and motivated, theres nothing worse than having to finish an assignment in the summer when youve had a pants week at work and the mates/missus fancies a spell up the boozer on a sunny sunday afternoon and you have to stop in and work, this will happen every weekend during the summer and most weekday evenings. on the plus side you will have a usable qualification, and be able to demonstrate resourcefulness, dedication and commitment to a prospective employer.
if an MSc is not as high as you would like, then go for and MBA in your subject, again IMHO more usable than a PhD.
HTH
Just as a gentle correction to the earlier comment about being virtually unemployable outside your field with a PhD, and about it being a hindrance.
That's not quite my experience, since the skills involved in getting a PhD are very readily applied in a range of roles. I know of lots of people with a PhD who have went on to get jobs in roles that didn't neccessarily require a PhD. In fact, I'd suggest that those skills might well put you at a significant advantage vis a vis others with only a UG degree.
There are many jobs which do require a PhD, not as many as require a UG degree, but lots nevertheless. Usually these jobs are in R&D and involve a good range of technical knowledge, obviously. You'd be surprised how large the R&D sector is in the UK, it's just it never gets talked about. A PhD is v well regarded in R&D in the US, and they put far more money into it than we do.
It is quite possible to go from employment in research in universities to R&D in industry, and vice versa.
I would perhaps suggest that you consider a PhD when you have had a numbver of years of undergraduate study under you belt, and then chat to some people who are studying and people who have studied a PhD. Make sure it is the right thing for you.
Chris
That's not quite my experience, since the skills involved in getting a PhD are very readily applied in a range of roles. I know of lots of people with a PhD who have went on to get jobs in roles that didn't neccessarily require a PhD. In fact, I'd suggest that those skills might well put you at a significant advantage vis a vis others with only a UG degree.
There are many jobs which do require a PhD, not as many as require a UG degree, but lots nevertheless. Usually these jobs are in R&D and involve a good range of technical knowledge, obviously. You'd be surprised how large the R&D sector is in the UK, it's just it never gets talked about. A PhD is v well regarded in R&D in the US, and they put far more money into it than we do.
It is quite possible to go from employment in research in universities to R&D in industry, and vice versa.
I would perhaps suggest that you consider a PhD when you have had a numbver of years of undergraduate study under you belt, and then chat to some people who are studying and people who have studied a PhD. Make sure it is the right thing for you.
Chris
stefd said:
Liszt said:
Do a BEng and then look at Chatered Engineering status. You get to put a CEng after your name and is more industry applicable that a Phd.
If you're in Building Services you'll need more than a BEng to guarantee chartership (CIBSE or EI). Can't comment on other fields.Liszt said:
stefd said:
Liszt said:
Do a BEng and then look at Chatered Engineering status. You get to put a CEng after your name and is more industry applicable that a Phd.
If you're in Building Services you'll need more than a BEng to guarantee chartership (CIBSE or EI). Can't comment on other fields.M3CHA-MONK3Y said:
Cheers for the information, quite a lot to mull over there.
I was looking at a PhD because it's really the highest level you can achieve academically for a trade. I have a great love for engineering, be it Construction, Automotive, Aerospace or even making lawnmowers. The whole field fascinates me.
I haven't heard of an MSc, I'll jump onto google later and do a bit of reading.
Thanks again
Your profile says you are an engineer, you are only just starting a HND and you havent heard of a Masters.I was looking at a PhD because it's really the highest level you can achieve academically for a trade. I have a great love for engineering, be it Construction, Automotive, Aerospace or even making lawnmowers. The whole field fascinates me.
I haven't heard of an MSc, I'll jump onto google later and do a bit of reading.
Thanks again
Er, how long have you been in the profession?
L1OFF said:
Liszt said:
stefd said:
Liszt said:
Do a BEng and then look at Chatered Engineering status. You get to put a CEng after your name and is more industry applicable that a Phd.
If you're in Building Services you'll need more than a BEng to guarantee chartership (CIBSE or EI). Can't comment on other fields.DJC said:
M3CHA-MONK3Y said:
Cheers for the information, quite a lot to mull over there.
I was looking at a PhD because it's really the highest level you can achieve academically for a trade. I have a great love for engineering, be it Construction, Automotive, Aerospace or even making lawnmowers. The whole field fascinates me.
I haven't heard of an MSc, I'll jump onto google later and do a bit of reading.
Thanks again
Your profile says you are an engineer, you are only just starting a HND and you havent heard of a Masters.I was looking at a PhD because it's really the highest level you can achieve academically for a trade. I have a great love for engineering, be it Construction, Automotive, Aerospace or even making lawnmowers. The whole field fascinates me.
I haven't heard of an MSc, I'll jump onto google later and do a bit of reading.
Thanks again
Er, how long have you been in the profession?
I've been in the trade 4 years now, starting on a HVAC Building Services course and just looking to build on that when I've finished it to a Degree level.
Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff