you
get
Maybe so; maybe no.
Obviously, many engineers aren't smart enough to even start in grad school. Others are smart enough to get in but don't have the energy and self-discipline to get the degree(s).
But, but ... Folks with smarts and with energy and self-discipline tend to do well regardless of credentials.
Note that the richest man in the world (Bill Gate$ is a college dropout.)
Advanced degrees are useful if:
1) You want an academic career (the original meaning of "doctor" was teacher).2) There is some truly leading edge technology you can master more quickly in school than on the job. Note than in engineering, innovation as often as not comes from industry rather than the university.
3) You get a "management" degree like a MBA from a GOOD school. This "signals" your intent to join the ranks of management. In case you didn't know, managers make more money than engineers.If you want to just show how smart you are, find some journal that you might get yourself published in. If you can get yourself published at a young age it's possible to quickly get an advanced degree. A solid record of publications is more impressive than a MS or even a Ph.D. and a grad school might rush you through the system just so they can take "partial credit" for your future publications.