W7_OKIEMUTE ODUDU_ CHOOSING A MASTER’S DEGREE PROGRAM

Problem Definition

It’s been long since I obtained my first degree in Production Engineering, and I am now considering enrolling for a master’s program.
However, I am having difficulty choosing a master’s degree; I don’t know whether to continue in my area of engineering competency or opt for something different and challenging.

Proposed Alternative Solutions

As a result of my indecision, I would consider only the three most important options I have at hand:

1. Master of Engineering in Production (MEng)
2. Master of Business Administration (MBA)
3. Master of Science in Project Management (MSc)

Outcome of the Proposed Alternatives

1. Master of Engineering in Production (MEng)

- easy to undertake because of my first degree experience as a production engineer
- less stressful for me when combining working and schooling
- opportunity to deepen my knowledge in this area
- enhancement of my technical competency in production engineering

2. Master of Business Administration (MBA)

- exposure to management training and skills
- gain leadership qualities
- exposure to non technical areas
- usually more expensive
- Available in the universities closest to my place of work

3. Master of Science in Project Management (MSc)

- opportunity to improvement my knowledge further in project management in addition to the numerous trainings and experience I have gained
- enhancement of my current work
- increase my competency in project management
- opportunity to gain ideas and knowledge outside the oil and gas.
- the few number of schools that offered the program is farther from my place of work

Selection of Preferred Alternative

The preferred alternative would meet the following criteria in order of importance.

- Optimal cost
- Knowledge relevant to my long term professional aspiration
- Distance from my place of work
- Usefulness in private practice/consulting

Analysis and Comparison of Alternatives

- Choosing masters in production engineering would not provide me with the needed knowledge to fulfil my long term aspiration in management and business.

- However, a masters degree in either project management or business administration would enable me fulfil my desire in project management, business leadership, and consulting.

- Also, the cost of MBA is more than that of masters in either project management or production engineering, while the university that offers project management is quite a great distance from the city I work.


Selection of Preferred Alternative

Based on the selected criteria above, I finally opted for MBA program.

Performance Monitoring

I have reduced my weekend activities in other to prepare myself for the task at hand.

References

“Masters Courses”, Findamasters.com
Engineering Economy,14th Edition, P27.