Posted on May 21, 2015
Is it worth it to go for my MBA? Did anyone do it and find out they didn't really need it?
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So I'm almost done with my B.S. In Business Management. I'm trying to decide if I should start looking a job now, or if I should be planning to go for my MBA when I'm finished. I have enough of my GI Bill left that it should cover it, but is it worth it to wait another couple of years to start looking for employment. What does everyone think? I'm very interested in your opinion.
Business
Employment
MBA
Higher Education
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 29
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I'm just about to finish up my MBA in about 4 weeks from UNC and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. But two caveats: 1. your school matters if you want the best opportunities. An MBA won't give you an edge of you go to a For profit or unknown school. 2. The best schools require professional experience. I suggest work for 3-5 years and then get your MBA. And trust me, you need the experience to keep up.
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SPC David S.
Yes some of the course work we did was applicable to current issues or previous issues we experienced as well as general business practices. Also those that didn't have a business background or business undergrad struggled especially in the accounting classes and tended to be the weaker ones that fell out - We started with 16 ended with 6
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SPC Chad Kolod You can use advanced search tools here on RP to target this question directly to people who have MBAs if you like.
I'm planning to pursue mine personally.
I do have a friend who is a financial analyst (he was at BlackRock for a while) and told me he wished he had simply studied and tested for his Chartered Financial Analyst certification instead of taking the time and energy to complete an MBA, but if you are more interested in a generalized Business education it sure seems like a good path to me (obviously).
I'm planning to pursue mine personally.
I do have a friend who is a financial analyst (he was at BlackRock for a while) and told me he wished he had simply studied and tested for his Chartered Financial Analyst certification instead of taking the time and energy to complete an MBA, but if you are more interested in a generalized Business education it sure seems like a good path to me (obviously).
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Sgt Brian Hoffman
As an MBA, I will echo Capt Porter's words. The MBA and CFA definitely have plenty of overlap, but how you are wanting to leverage this new education is the crux of this decision. If you are in banking or want to get into finance, a CFA is preferred if you can't score a top 10-15 school for MBA (some would say even if).
A top 10 MBA will open up the most options for you if you are still undecided. CFA will most likely take you longer, and the curriculum is undoubtedly more challenging than any business school in the world. I recognize that's a bold statement, but you'll find many agree the CFA is one of if not the most challenging *certifications* that exists. The only other I can imagine would be the actuary series.
A top 10 MBA will open up the most options for you if you are still undecided. CFA will most likely take you longer, and the curriculum is undoubtedly more challenging than any business school in the world. I recognize that's a bold statement, but you'll find many agree the CFA is one of if not the most challenging *certifications* that exists. The only other I can imagine would be the actuary series.
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Capt Richard I P.
Update: Now 1/2 way through first year of an MBA and my advice is: go for it. The full time program in particular is excellent.
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Suspended Profile
I finished an MBA program in 2006. Its relevance to your career is a big giant "it depends." Strength of the program, the field you work in, etc. etc.
I'm an IT Manager in charge of very aggressive software dev at a startup in the insurance industry. Up until this point, I rued not pursuing an MIS instead. The generalist nature of an MBA has really been meaningful, as I've transitioned from writing software for discreet manufacturers and some of the healthcare exchanges to almost a pure focus on actuarial sciences. More specific management programs can pigeonhole your career. The MBA really positioned me to help bring value, especially in the realms of non-specific process improvement. At least I think it did...the company I worked for at the time also paid for Six Sigma Green and Black Belts. But then I've always been a theory of constraints sort of guy, anyway. I digress.
I've noticed others urging delay - I don't. Tuition rates are sure to increase. With your military background and an MBA (from a decent program), you're not in the same boat as the hordes of kids with no practical application background from a hiring perspective. There is little reason to cost yourself more by waiting a few years. Another possibility is an online program (Capella's is good) or an accelerated executive MBA program. If you feel like you're going to hear "overqualified," there's absolutely no harm in omitting it from your resume to get in the door.
I'm an IT Manager in charge of very aggressive software dev at a startup in the insurance industry. Up until this point, I rued not pursuing an MIS instead. The generalist nature of an MBA has really been meaningful, as I've transitioned from writing software for discreet manufacturers and some of the healthcare exchanges to almost a pure focus on actuarial sciences. More specific management programs can pigeonhole your career. The MBA really positioned me to help bring value, especially in the realms of non-specific process improvement. At least I think it did...the company I worked for at the time also paid for Six Sigma Green and Black Belts. But then I've always been a theory of constraints sort of guy, anyway. I digress.
I've noticed others urging delay - I don't. Tuition rates are sure to increase. With your military background and an MBA (from a decent program), you're not in the same boat as the hordes of kids with no practical application background from a hiring perspective. There is little reason to cost yourself more by waiting a few years. Another possibility is an online program (Capella's is good) or an accelerated executive MBA program. If you feel like you're going to hear "overqualified," there's absolutely no harm in omitting it from your resume to get in the door.
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