How well an MBA can help military members transition to a civilian career? Does an MBA need to be from a "top 10" school?

It is important to know that many people seek a MBA with hopes of becoming a manager.  I received my MBA after completing a doctoral degree in computer science, MS in management information systems security, and managing a large portfolio as a senior program manager in the defense industry.  I think it depends on what you plan to do with that MBA.  For example, if your intention is to go into management consulting with a big firm then a top 10 school would be highly desirable.  If your intention is to go into a managerial role then seek a program that has AACSB International or ACBSP at the least.  Remember not all military occupations translate into careers even if you were an officer.  Also you may not need a MBA if you are seeking to be a specialist such as data analytics, software design, or systems engineering.  If you are seeking a MBA but yet are not an expert in your field find a dual masters program where you can complete a MBA and then another graduate degree in an additional 18 months or less.

Lt Col Fleshman - thanks for starting this discussion. I believe the MBA is the best graduate degree for transitioning from military to business in today's economy - and here is why:<div>(1) The largest relative weakness when a civilian recruiter sees a veteran is lack of financial understanding, and lack of overall business acumen, the MBA helps give credibility and help fill those two gaps (arguably in a better way than any other degree or program)</div><div>(2) Even the most connected veterans fall way short in terms of "network" with their civilian counterpart, while an MBA experience does not give access to everyone, it helps a lot versus relying on on friends from the military or other experiences</div><div>(3) Placement into a job and direct interactions with top companies and recruiters is a part of the MBA experience (for two years in most cases of US programs) this means time to fail is built in, and the veteran can learn and develop in many ways over the two years, and in almost all cases I know of land a job prior to graduation of shortly thereafter</div><div>(4) Two years to "re-tool" and "re-set" along with an internship to "learn and experience" are huge. Especially for today's veteran who often comes transitions right after a combat experience - it takes time to get into the swing of a completely new world, and the MBA experience gives an ideal setting for this transition</div><div><br></div><div>As to the "Top 10" question...I have no view. While many who attend the Top 10 programs would love to say they are the only way to go and have the best chance of landing a veteran in a great network and great post-MBA job, the facts are a bit more murky. My veteran mentors with the most success (by most worldly standards such as position and wealth) did not attend top 10 MBA programs, and at the same time I have veteran mentors who did well from top 10 MBA programs as well. I think it is entirely case-by-case dependent. If you want to succeed in the business world and are willing to work hard enough for long enough - as a veteran with some smarts you probably will do very well, and it probably matters very little what school you went to as long as you learned the skills.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>I am interested to hear the views of others - this is just one set of ideas from one set of experiences.</div>

This was a great discussion, Sir. I recently started my MBA in Project Management and this discussion has really helped in giving me some realistic expectations for what my degree will do for me outside of the military.

As somebody currently at a top MBA program I would say it is absolutely worth it. The opportunity cost is high and gets especially pricey if you have a family. I estimate over the two years of my program I will spend between $190,000-$200,000 when you include tuition, cost of living, traveling and extraneous expenses. However if you go to any program in the Top 10 it will open doors for you that simply are not accessible without the MBA.

That being said it depends a lot on your goals. If you don't want to be in finance or at a top management consulting firm then you might not need a top MBA. Just be aware that once you get outside of the top 15 or so they become very regional. So it would be best to attend a program that is in the same vicinity to where you would like to work. Also any reputable program should post their employment reports on their website. Make sure that the type of companies you want to work at recruit from the school you want to attend. Unfortunately the quality of MBA programs drops faster than their tuition. There are lots of programs out there that probably do not justify their costs so buyer beware. Make sure you do the research up front before jumping in.

An MBA is a great tool if you also worked in a business or business related field while in it gives you the ability to get a better job when you PCS, especially since many business areas in the military work differently in the military than in the civilian market. I spent 14 years as a logistical manager in the army, and while I learned a lot, what I did not know is that the systems that the army uses are not the same as those used by logistical companies outside of the army. My MBA allowed me to not only learn that, but also to combine my military experience with civilian systems. 

Having an MBA can make the transition easier, but that may mean accepting an 18 month opportunity cost of no income.  If you go to a top 10, that seems to open up a few more doors, at least I've seen that with friends who went to Harvard, Chicago, and the like (I didn't).  It's not a deal breaker to not go to a top ten, but I think it has distinct advantages.  It may not be the best move, in other words, try to get an idea of what you want to be doing before blindly going into an MBA program, that's the first (and maybe the hardest) thing a transitioning service member should figure out.

Sir, this is a great topic. I think that it really has a lot to do with a Soldier's MOS and experience. I'm a center commander in recruiting, so when we go to career fairs and networking events I always walk around to speak with employers. This means that I can get information straight from HR directors and staffing coordinators. For example, I'm going for my MBA and I have 8 years experience in recruiting/recruiting operations. 9/10 employers will hire me right away as a recruiter, talent acquisition manager, staffing coordinator, with NO degree based on my experience in a related field. However, if I want to step in to the management role, maybe as a regional sales director or recruiting operations manager, then the MBA along with my experience becomes my "one up" on the competition. As far as which institution, from the employers I speak to, it doesn't matter. I'm sure there's a case or two out there where it does, but these days it seems like a degree is a degree. The only reason why they ask where you got it and what year is so they can verify that you have it and didn't lie on your application. Again, this information is coming from HR directors of corporations that I've asked so it's not a blanket statement.