MAGE on the Move

1. What impact do you believe MAGE can make at these conferences?

When we represent MAGE at conferences, we aren’t just sharing program options. We are providing a roadmap forward for people to advance their careers and achieve personal and academic goals. A comment that we hear often at conferences is “I had no idea a full master’s degree was offered in this field!” Many conference attendees share that they have built successful careers in their engineering fields and often already have advanced degrees. When they learn about the specialized programs MAGE offers, such as Engineering Artificial Intelligence and Project Management, they see an opportunity to complement their career experience with formalized coursework.

Early-career professionals are often excited to learn that MAGE programs are industry-focused, and that they can earn a master’s degree without a research requirement! The applied nature of the program teaches foundational skills that can help to deepen their expertise, explore emerging technologies, and even use graduate learning to pivot into another sector of the industry.

MAGE introduces students to unique pathways they may not have previously considered. Through our degree stacking option, students can pursue a Graduate Certificate in Engineering and Master of Engineering concurrently. Earning two graduate-level degrees in the time it takes to complete one allows students to build a more versatile skillset, significantly broadening their professional reach. MAGE’s presence at these conferences bridges the gap between industry awareness and academic innovation, serving as a catalyst for both personal career growth and industry-wide advancement.

2. What should a person expect if they see the MAGE booth at a conference?

Our booths are staffed by friendly representatives from MAGE and our partnering departments across campus. Attendees are encouraged to ask questions about our programs, collect brochures, and grab some neat giveaways. We often have a small token for Clark School and UMD alumni! At the booth, we’ll ask you to fill out a brief form so we can send you more detailed information after the event. You can indicate what type of information you’re interested in receiving, whether that’s details about MAGE program options, adjunct faculty opportunities, or connections to other campus departments. Filling out our form is a great way to stay connected with MAGE and become eligible for an application fee waiver.

3. When you encounter potential applicants on the road, what are they most interested in learning about MAGE and UMD?

Prospective applicants are generally most interested in learning about how pursuing a Master of Engineering degree or Graduate Certificate in Engineering would fit into their busy lives. We recognize that enrolling in a graduate program is a big decision with many personal and professional considerations. MAGE’s online programs are designed to be flexible, making them well suited for working engineers, early career, and technical professionals that are managing busy personal lives too. For on-campus programs, courses are often offered later in the afternoon to better accommodate the workday. All of our programs can also be completed full-time or part-time depending on student need.

The A. James Clark School of Engineering often uses the slogan “The world goes to Maryland”, and so much of what makes our programs exceptional is the breadth of experiences and perspectives our students bring to the classroom, whether they’re located in College Park or joining us from around the globe.