What was it like pursuing an EMBA program while on AD? Were your command and professors supportive? How was it juggling work and courses?

2020-12-31T15:56:12-05:00

I have five years till retirement, and will not be continuing in my current field as a civilian. Knowing that I’ll be dropping 20 years of work experience, I am going to be making myself competitive by getting my MBA. Currently, I am weighing all my options in either deciding to take some form of part-time MBA (online or Executive-MBA) or wait till I get out to take a full time program. I’m really looking towards an Executive MBA program since it allows me physical interactions with other students. I feel the face to face interactions with the other students will help me establish connections in the business world. From the time of enrollment to graduating with a MBA, I’m estimating that I’ll have two or less years left in the Army. Plenty of time to transition and use the new contacts from the graduating cohort to get a job in the civilian business sector.

What I am wondering is that if anyone has taken an EMBA program while active:

What was it like juggling work and weekend MBA courses?

Was your command supportive of the decision to go through an E-MBA program? Allowed passes and leave approvals for the weekend program?

If work engagements took over school, where professors understanding of your military obligations? Was there times of leniency?

Thanks!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 31 at 2020 4:14 PM

2020-12-31T16:14:54-05:00

Finished MA while on active duty through a University offering on-base courses. All classes were in-person (before on-line courses existed). Professors were all veterans--most retired military. They were very liberal in allowing students to flex schedule due to TDY, etc. My advice is to look for universities that cater to military community offering on-post courses.

Interaction with fellow students did help establish networks of people in same interest areas. Many were military employees, so they PCS-ed, as I did, and it took a lot of effort to maintain contacts. On the other hand, some of the professors turned out to be important resources for future employment.

You might do well to join professional organizations in your interest areas. These types of organizations exist in-part to build networks. Project Management Institute and AUSA are examples. Another is National Defense Transportation Association. These types of organizations exist in many career areas. A little Google work will help find them.

If you complete your profile, the folks on RP can probably advise you better.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Dec 31 at 2020 4:23 PM

2020-12-31T16:23:50-05:00

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member I did one at University of San Diego while on shore duty before going back to sea. Ours was almost specifically made up of service members (only 2 civilians), so the professors were pretty keyed in to the military life/obligations.

Because there was over 5 years before I got out, the connections, and frankly the curriculum was dated by the time I was looking for civilian work in the defense industry. With only 2 years, you may be better situated.

My 2 cents with the whole thing was that it was frankly a waste of time. The degree, depending upon what you get, is light on the stuff that companies want and heavy on the stuff that is easier to accomplish while active. For example, our EMBA had a lot less of the financial/accounting type classes, but a lot more of the international government/business types.

If I could do it over again, I think the fact the gov't paid for it, and I could fit it in, and it checked a clock for promotion, sold me on something that wasn't what would have been the best. I would have probably been better off trying to get either a full degree or a degree in something else. Look at most businesses and they will say that MBA's are a dime a dozen unless they are from Wharton.

Things probably have changed since I got mine (crap its 18 years ago now...). My advice is to really look at whether the EMBA will actually help you or is there a better degree to get. Plus, the school makes a lot of difference. Some of the online schools now are much better alternatives with great reputations, and they weren't around for me.

I know this is a little disjointed, but feel free to contact me if needed.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Dec 31 at 2020 4:29 PM

2020-12-31T16:29:32-05:00

One additional caveat to keep in mind: finding a good quality school for executive MBA.

Dubious for-profit schools love to recruit military veterans and retirees for graduate degrees along with undergraduate. Do research and make sure that your program is reputable for the TA or GI Bill benefits that you will spend.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/31/opinion/for-profit-college-veterans.html

Opinion | Protect Veterans From Fraud

Congress could do much more to protect Americans who have served their country from predatory for-profit colleges.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2020 5:07 PM

2020-12-31T17:07:18-05:00

https://www.economist.com/whichmba/nothing-special-mbas-are-no-longer-prized-employers

Nothing special: MBAs are no longer prized by employers

The Economist offers authoritative insight and opinion on international news, politics, business, finance, science, technology and the connections between them.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 31 at 2020 6:01 PM

2020-12-31T18:01:48-05:00

Schools sometimes jealously guard entrance into the Executive MBA. When I went to grad school, I was denied entrance to the executive MBA but admitted to the standard MBA program. Reason being, they rigidly applied "Executive" to that.

That being said, most MBA programs assume you are working full time, hence why you can afford to go. Unless you have a deep business background, I'd strongly advise an MBA program now and finish while in transition. This will help you build a network.