Wise to do a diploma after having a degree?

[Harkonnen]

Hey Guys,

I have a degree in EE and I'm working in my field (well a related field but I digress). I've been looking at going back to school, just to "do something" but i'm not sure what I want to do. I've been considering getting a Masters, but I was wondering, if I go to Seneca and pick up a certificate or diploma to add to my resume, will it hurt or hinder my chances at getting a better job?

I know there's sometimes some stigma associated with Seneca diploma's, does having one hurt/hinder or help one's career (after having an EE degree)?

[boyoflondon]

I highly doubt that more education can hurt your chances of getting a better job ;)

[lazarus]

Just do a part time MBA, or MS in your field. I know Niagara - U has a decent MBA program on Saturdays. :)

College sucks IMO. I got a college diploma, and all the employers try to lowball you on wages. Not to mention pay wage increases and job advancement are almost non existent.

Since you are already an experienced EE, doing a college would only be going backwards (IMO)

[NeoEsper]

I would say trainning courses should be good enough, I'm thinking about doing some PLC courses while working.

[Sylvestre]

how long have you been out? do you have any other credentials?
Quite honestly, going back to get a diploma isn't going to be that helpful since you are currently working.
Why not look at joining some associations and simply take some courses. Odds are you can even get your employer to pay.

Plus the knowledge will be way more direct without having to go over the basics that you know already.

If you are set on further education, a masters is much more preferable than a diploma. You'll gain little to nothing with the investment in a diploma, but with the masters, you'll increase your worth significantly

[Harkonnen]

Thanks for all the replies.

I've been out for about 3 years, and I don't have any memberships to any associations. I'm going to go through and get my P.Eng though, so I've looked into doing the courses (that's where I came across the post-diploma courses).

I like my work and all, but I'm feeling a little disenfranchised with how it all works; how you need experience to get anywhere but it's very hard to get the experience you need to get to somewhere you want. So I want to try something else, be it related to or completely different to EE. Seneca post-diploma courses seemed like a good way to get my feet wet without sacrificing too much time and money.

I'm not sure if EE is the direction I want to go for the rest of my life. I've "seen" the industry and don't think that there'll be much of a long lasting future for me as more and more design work is outsourced so I want to diversity myself that that i'm better situated for the future.

I've thought abour doing a masters as well, but i'm not sure what I want to do it in. I figured the Seneca diploma could be my little secret and a passport to something better.

[Sylvestre]

well, right off the top of my head, I'd say join the IEEE.

and what area of EE are you in? there are lots of other associations that focus on different specalities.
(quick search on google turns up aircraft electrical assoc. http://www.aea.net/) and there are lots more like this. These are what you should be looking for both for education and networking.

[buy.A.gift]

i think you need to know where you are going first before of thinking either getting a certificate or master degree. Don't go to college and get a certificate because you think you just want to. Good planning is important.

[oasis100]

Just do a part time MBA, or MS in your field. I know Niagara - U has a decent MBA program on Saturdays. :)

College sucks IMO. I got a college diploma, and all the employers try to lowball you on wages. Not to mention pay wage increases and job advancement are almost non existent.

Since you are already an experienced EE, doing a college would only be going backwards (IMO)

is it necessary to add IMO at the end? obviously its ur opinion...its also wrong btw.
going to college after univ is not going backwards especially if u are doing a post-grad diploma.

[TheDarkRage]

Just do a part time MBA, or MS in your field. I know Niagara - U has a decent MBA program on Saturdays. :)

College sucks IMO. I got a college diploma, and all the employers try to lowball you on wages. Not to mention pay wage increases and job advancement are almost non existent.

Since you are already an experienced EE, doing a college would only be going backwards (IMO)

What program and college did you go to? Just because your experience after graduation wasn't up to your expectations doesn't it that it's like that for every college grad.

If you're sick of being lowballed on wages, can't you use your diploma as credits for a university? More colleges and universities are becoming flexible now with partnerships.

More and more colleges are making unique post-grad diplomas/certificates that you can't find anywhere else (especially not universities).