Should I get a management graduate degree that is 100% paid for?

In My Humble Opinion
1

I have the oppurtunity thru work to get a Masters in Engineering Administration from Virginia Tech at zero cost to myself. The deal is sweetened by the fact that the professors come to my workplace and teach the classes from 4-630pm once a week. The total requirements are 10 courses. If I took one course a semester (which is all I would consider) it would take me about 2.5 years to finish this degree.

Now, I already have a BSEE and an MSEE and have ZERO intention of ever getting my PhD. I am wondering how much value will be added to my marketability if I get this management degree as well. Will it compliment my other education? I have much experience and other marketables that I won’t mention here but I’m mostly concerned about whether or not I should commit to this program.

FTR, I just graduated with my MSEE w/thesis in March. I can guaruntee you that the course work and load will be no where near the difficulty of my engineering masters so I’m not worried about that. I don’t want to waste my (and my family’s) time though if there is no real value added in my income earning potential. I work long hours as it is and this will only lengthen them.

So, should I do it or no? And saying “Do man! It’s paid for!” isn’t really a good answer here. I want to know whether I should do it for my future employment prospects (im military so I won’t be here forever). If it’s only going to result in 5K a year more or something it’s not worth it to me.

2

I don’t know about what it will increase your salary on average - or even if that can be calculated.
But I guarantee that if you ever find yourself exploring job opportunities at some time in the future, the mgmt degree will open some doors that would otherwise remain closed to you.
Sounds like a no-brainer to me.

3

My FIL has the same degrees you have but in aerospace engineering (BSE/MSE) and he got an MBA to supplement them. The MBA helped his career in that he moved to management and managed large engineering divisions. It gave him more flexibility with his career and job security.

4

I’m signed up for the ACM’s career newsletter, and pretty much every issue has an article telling us that technical professionals with a strong business background are in high demand. VT’s a good school, and it certainly won’t hurt you to have the degree. Just keep in mind that even if there’s no financial cost, you’re still going to have to sink some time into it. If I were in your shoes, I’d seriously consider going for it.