Moore Gains Engineering Expertise Through Two Online Programs 

Breaking the career advancement barrier 

Mike Moore’s career has taken him around the world for some of the largest companies in the welding engineering industry. With over 30 years of experience under his belt, Mike has worked his way up from the research lab to the field, applying his technical expertise to help clients and distributors around the world as an applications engineer. However, despite his extensive background, Mike knew there was still room for growth and felt ready to take his technical skills to the next level.  

With the marketplace constantly evolving and being impacted by the amount of knowledge and products offered online, Moore wanted to separate himself from the competition and become a welding engineering industry leader. He knew that growing his technical knowledge and skills in strategic innovation would be key to his success in his current role, where he solves problems for clients in the welding industry. 

Choosing the right online engineering program 

Moore began searching for graduate-level engineering programs and discovered The Ohio State University’s online Master of Science in Welding Engineering, which would allow him to grow his technical expertise, and the Master of Global Engineering Leadership (now the Master of Engineering Management degree), which would equip him with the leadership skills necessary to advance his career.  

Ohio State touts the only master’s-level welding engineering degree in the United States. The online and asynchronous Master of Science in Welding Engineering degree is designed for professionals looking to hone their technical knowledge in the welding industry and emphasizes the specialized knowledge needed in welding engineering.  

The Master of Engineering Management degree combines engineering leadership development with interdisciplinary courses from the Fisher College of Business and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. This 100% online engineering leadership program focuses on engineering management, business skills, understanding policy, and the business-government relationship. A capstone course in Operational Excellence for Engineers provides a culminating experience and an opportunity to solve real-world challenges.

As an experienced engineering professional, Mike knew he needed programs that would fit seamlessly into his busy schedule while still providing a rigorous, high-quality education. With these engineering degrees being offered fully online, they provide the needed flexibility for working engineers to balance their career, families, education, and other responsibilities.  

Industry-leading engineering faculty 

The online classes are also taught by the same faculty teaching on campus in Columbus, Ohio. Moore was also excited by the opportunity to work with some of the top names in the welding industry. 

“If you look at the faculty in welding engineering, they’re leading experts in the field, with tons of industry connections,” Moore said. “These are names I’ve encountered throughout my career, and now I’m taking classes from them.” 

Moore developed relationships with his new faculty mentors and peers that continued beyond graduation. Although he completed his programs online, Moore felt wholly integrated into both the programs and the College of Engineering. 

“You are part of the class. You are wholly integrated into the class and into the program,” Moore said. “I had a study group that I worked with in the program that stayed together for three years. Those are friendships now that I’ve developed for the rest of my life.” 

Ohio State beyond the classroom 

While Moore was originally looking for a program that would help him stand out in his field, the ability to become a Buckeye sealed the deal. The benefits of an Ohio State education extend far beyond the classroom. As an Ohio native, he knew the benefits of joining Ohio State’s widespread alumni network. 

“The alumni network is a big deal at Ohio State,” Mike said. “You not only have a very large university, but it’s also a very close-knit alumni network. So that’s always been a great benefit of the programs.” 

How to become an engineering manager 

By combining decades of hands-on experience with the rigorous academic training from Ohio State, Mike was able to advance his engineering career as well as his confidence. He now feels better equipped than ever to provide maximum value to his clients and colleagues around the world. 

“I have developed so many skills that I have been able to take into my job. The knowledge base that you gain at Ohio State is second to none,” Moore said. “There’s not a week that goes by that I don’t utilize, in my job, the skills that I gained in these programs.” 

For Mike, his decision to advance his engineering education at Ohio State enabled him to propel his career forward. The journey to career advancement can be challenging, especially for working professionals balancing job responsibilities, family, and other commitments. What can aspiring engineering leaders do? Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and invest in your own career growth and professional development. 

“If you want to be the best in your field and you want to be able to add the most value to the job function that you’re doing, you have to be willing to differentiate yourself through technical knowledge,” Mike said. 

By combining real-world experience with rigorous academic training, Mike was able to take his engineering career to new heights. With the support of Ohio State’s world-class faculty, flexible online programs, and expansive alumni network, you can do the same. 

Connect with an enrollment advisor to see if one of Ohio State’s engineering master’s programs is the right fit for you.