Starting to Doubt my masters!

Pat_custard

I started a masters program in college in September in Biomedical engineering. It's a 2 year course with 2 semesters in each year and a work experience option of 8 months in the relevant industry in semester 2 (which I'm currently doing).

I've done my undergrad in mechanical engineering and I'm really starting to doubt myself on whether I chose the right option. I always had a good interest in mechanical engineering but thought the masters in Biomedical would give me an advantage working as an engineer in the healthcare side of engineering.

Since starting my placement I've noticed nearly all the engineers in my area are from pure mechanical backgrounds.

I'm starting to think I should have just stuck with the mechanical and done a masters in it instead.

Anybody got any thoughts on this?

djpbarry

Pat_custard wrote: »

I always had a good interest in mechanical engineering but thought the masters in Biomedical would give me an advantage working as an engineer in the healthcare side of engineering.

You're not alone - I would guess the vast majority of people who start a Masters do so in the belief that they are enhancing their job prospects, but they rarely are.

But, it's not going to do you any harm. It sounds like you're already a decent way through the course at this stage, so you might as well stick it out. If you've still got a way to go, you could explore the option of transferring to another course, although Masters are generally too specialised to allow this unless you do so very soon after starting.

What you could do is use the opportunity of your industry placement to explore what areas your Masters could give you an advantage over other candidates - what do/will you know that they don't/won't and are there any specific skills you think you can acquire to give you further advantages?

apoeiguq3094y

I guess you are more doubting about whether it should have been a mechanical masters instead of a biomed one? Rather than doubting the idea of a masters in general.

One thing to remember about your colleagues, is that many of them would have done mechanical simply because there were more mechanical courses available historically. Also, many people would have degrees that say mechanical in the title, but with optional courses and project etc - they would have a biomedical element also.

A lot of the work in biomed is just mechanical in a bio environment, but there is also a need for people with a strong understanding of the more biomed aspects. You should be relatively well placed having your first degree in mechanical.

If you have the option to choose courses and projects, you can always try to pick ones that are closer to mechanical engineering.

The last thing I would say, is that a lot of the knowledge you will need later in a full time job will be picked up on the job anyway.