How Relevant is Master's Research to Career Choice?

[CanIExplore]

Hello forum,

I am concerned with choosing the correct area of specialization within the electrical engineering masters program I will be starting this Fall; I hope to choose a research area that will prepare me the most for working in the space technology industry. My ideal career would be working on space technology such as rocketry components, satellites, rovers, etc. Companies such as SpaceX, JPL, and NASA would thus be ideal for my career.

My first question is, how important is the research and your area of specialization during your masters to your career choice? I am worried that if I focus on a certain area of research, that I will be limited to what type of work I can do once I graduate, which would then make my decision as to what research I get involved with all the more important. Or does having a masters in electrical engineering mean that you can subsequently find a job in any area of electrical engineering. If the research you do during your masters does not weigh so heavily on what type of work you do when you graduate, then I would feel that I have more flexibility. I am hoping to gain some insight from professionals in the field that may be more familiar with this process.

Recently, I was admitted to several electrical engineering masters program with my top choice being the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The area of specialization is "Electronic Circuits and Systems" which you can read about here: http://www.ece.ucsd.edu/node/67 . So for example, if I knew that research in "RF Devices and Circuits" has large applications in the area of space technology, I would probably try to find research in this area if it meant I had a better chance of establishing a career with these companies. But if I knew that it didn't really matter, I would probably choose to research NEMS technology because right now it sounds interesting to me.

My next question is then, does the specific research you do for your masters affect what you will research for your Ph.D.? If I decide to get my Ph.D. after my masters, would my research have to be similar to what I did for my masters?

Thanks!

 

[Adrmay]

</code>The research you do for your master's degree does not necessarily determine what type of work you will do when you graduate, and it also does not necessarily determine what research you will do for your Ph.D. For many students, the research for their master's degree serves as a stepping stone into the research area of their choosing - it is a way to explore their interests and gain experience in different areas. While the topic of your master's research may be important to get your foot in the door of a particular industry or field, it does not mean that you must stay in that particular area for the rest of your career. For example, if you choose to focus on RF Devices and Circuits for your master's research, it does not mean that you have to continue researching this topic for your Ph.D. You could choose to explore other topics such as NEMS technology, as well as other topics related to space technology. Ultimately, the choice of your research topic is up to you and should be based on your interests and career goals. By exploring different topics during your master's degree, you may discover new interests and areas of research that you would like to pursue further.