Should You Do An MBA?
Every couple of months, one of my (usually techie) friends asks me for advice on an MBA. The form of the question itself varies (“Hey, what did you think of your MBA?”, or “Do you think an MBA is a worthwhile use of my time?”), but the underlying themes are the same: reassure me that this is the right, best, easiest, or most sure-fire way to get me more money, status, or success. Rather than handle these requests one-on-one, I figured I might as well post my thoughts here and save everybody some time.
(In the interest of full disclosure, I should mention that I was somewhat bitter with my own MBA program. Perhaps it had something to do with the 321% increase in fees. Or the 20% of my fees that went to pay the tuition of someone who was likely in no worse a financial position than I. Take my advice, as always, with a grain of salt.)
After a year in the workforce, I can’t say that the education provided by my MBA was especially insightful. While the program and its material certainly provide a framework for thinking about business problems (hint: everything can be expressed as a two-by-two matrix), if you’ve got a good head on your shoulders and can think in a critical fashion, then the MBA won’t hold many surprises for you. If your background is science or engineering, or you have a healthy appetite for reading and thinking, the MBA is a breeze.
That said, there are a few key things I learned in the MBA program that I will share with you:
- Nobody can write to save their lives: It’s shocking, but most people simply can’t string together sentences in a clear, concise fashion while presenting a position on a given topic. Everybody has a weapon of choice that they wield mercilessly against the English language: run-on sentences, improper punctuation, improper capitalization, incorrect use of homophones (for example: there, their, they’re), and just plain bad grammar. My advice? Start a blog and write regularly – at least you’ll end up sounding more intelligent, even if you haven’t increased the amount of knowledge in your noggin.
- Nobody can use a computer: Despite the fact that people my age were supposed to be the Computer Generation, I can assure you that this is simply not the case. Most of my classmates were hopeless with a computer. Nobody could use Word or Excel to their maximum potential to execute a task as easily or as quickly as possible. It does make one wonder: how much of the productivity “savings” promised by computing have been eroded by the overhead caused by operator error?
- Most people can’t manage their time: Half the time, people in my class were running around like loons trying to get their homework done at the last minute. A little bit of planning and regular execution can go a long way. You don’t need an MBA program to learn this.
- A significant proportion of the population can’t present to a group: Presenting is an art – it takes time to master, and regular practice. Did you know most people fear presenting more than they fear death? Sign yourself up for Toastmasters or an acting class. Half the battle is gaining self-confidence.
Looking at these weaknesses, I actually have a greater appreciation for my undergraduate engineering degree at SFU. The Engineering Science program at SFU specifically taught us how to present, how to write, how to interview, and numerous other life-skills that I don’t think most students obtain in their undergraduate degree, nevermind an MBA program. Special recognition is deserved by Steve Whitmore and Susan Stevenson for their efforts.
Despite my disappointment in my own MBA program, would I do it again?
As reluctant as I am to say it, I would have admit that even knowing what I know now about the MBA program, I would still do it again. Sure, the program doesn’t live up to its expectations. It’s certainly not the ticket to guaranteed success that it once was. But, frankly, if you’re looking to cross the chasm between one career and another (technology and business in my case), this is probably the best route. I’m not saying it’s the only route – you could always just pull yourself up by your boots and hope you get the right experience to get where you’re going – this one at least comes with a piece of paper that people can easily recognize.
That’s it, I hear you saying, a piece of paper?
Yes, if nothing more the MBA will get you a piece of paper that will allow an employer to more easily classify you when you apply for a job. You see, it’s not about being better than other applicants for a job – employers have little, if any, ability to discern between the resume of a good employee and that of a bad employee. If it comes down to you and another applicant of equal skill, and he has an MBA and you don’t, guess who gets the job? Unfortunate, but true. If you’re lucky, it’ll give you a little extra life experience, some exposure to people from other backgrounds, and some time to think about where you want to go in life once you’ve received your newly-minted MBA. And even if you’re bucking for an entrepreneurial life, an MBA is a nice backup plan to have in case your dreams of being the next Bill Gates turn sour.
On that note, it’s probably best to give some parting advice to those who still wish to pursue an MBA:
- Know what to expect: The fact that you’re here means that you’re doing some research. That’s good. Talk to people from the MBA program you intend to attend. Try to find people from all different backgrounds to get a balanced view.
- Prepare for a lifestyle change: Depending on the length of program, you could be in school for between fifteen and twenty-four months. That’s twenty-four months where you’ll probably put a lot of the rest of your life on hold while you attend school. Think about it. Talk about it with your spouse or significant other.
- Understand the whole cost: People look at the price tag of a typical MBA and balk. But that’s just the beginning. Don’t forget books. And rent. And booze. And student fees. And the opportunity cost (you won’t be working, remember?). Taking the program is a serious undertaking, and you need to be prepared to carry it through. Otherwise, you’re wasting your time.
- Understand why you want to do an MBA: I would recommend you don’t consider an MBA until you’ve got at least three or four years of work experience under your belt. You’ll need that experience to shape what you hope to achieve by taking an MBA. I would also warn against focusing on the short-term. You’re not going to step out of the MBA and be handed the CEO position. You probably won’t even know how to manage people. You’re going to be back to square one, just like when you came out of undergrad. The only way to avoid this disappointment is to have a game plan on where you want to be in five, ten, or fifteen years, and view the MBA as a minor detour on the road to your inevitable future success. If you have to, write a retirement speech to figure out where you want to go in life.
- Do something new: When choosing a specialization in your MBA (if there is such a thing in the program you attend), try doing something with little or nothing to do with your undergraduate degree or work experience. Why pay for what you already know? If you’re a technologist, avoid IT or “e-Business” specializations. Nobody likes paying $20K just to learn HTML. This goes double for those with a commerce or business undergrad degee (in fact, those with such a degree should probably avoid the MBA altogether – nothing new to see here, move along).
And one last thing – all MBA programs are the same, as far as I’m concerned, in all regards except one: the network of alumni they offer. If there were one piece of advice I would give a prospective MBA student, it would be to heavily research the alumni network of the MBA program to which you’re applying. While the MBA programs themselves may not differ, the opportunities afforded by past graduates vary greatly and are probably the one thing that differentiate the programs and their ability to shape your future success. Choose wisely.
I’m not the only one thinking about this: Life Beyond Code – MBA or no MBA??
The question is Product vs. Process.
“Product can always be compared to others. It’s often tangible. It’s immediately identifiable and easy to grasp, from the good conduct medal to the bonus cheque at the end of the year. It’s a victory, even if it only lasts until the next marking period.
Process, on the other hand, keeps going. It can’t be quantified or reproduced. And because it exists only between an individual and experience, the rewards are unique and internal. And last, perhaps, far longer than a trophy.” (Jane Hammerslough: Dematerializing)
Thanks for the insightful article on the usefulness of an MBA. I found it very helpful.
When I was fresh out of my undergrad school with an engineering degree I thought an MBA would be the sure shot ticket to instant sucess.
As the years went by and I got in touch with the guys with MBA I didn’t notice too much of a difference between the techies and them. They lived in the same houses , drove the same cars and seemed to be chasing the same dreams.
Only difference i saw-they dress better, use management terms contantly and try to introduce a humor element at every oppurtunity ( which unquestionably sucks on most occasions).
Thanks Brendon for an initial insight and for providing a link to another good article that looks at the big question for us techies – to MBA or not?
Do mail me some artciles if you come across that dissect the life after MBA – the kind of work, the opportunities for moving up the ladder and kind of pressure[the only kind i know now is project deadlines;-)]
Outstanding thoughts! Keep up the good work.
When I saw this article, I thought it is just like hundreds of articles out there regarding “MBA”. But when I started reading it, I realized that wilson has converted his own experiences and knowledge in a such a nice manner that it is worth reading. The text is immensly effective and motivating.
Reading through the text I got aware of of so many new things and all my dilemma reagarding MBA got diluted. I have now decided not to go for MBA. Rather I have decided to pursue a professional course and making it as a leverage point in my career.
I also got motivated to improve my writing skills.(I especially thank wilson for this).
God Bless you Wilson.
Regards,
ankitdiwan2004@yahoo.co.in
hi friends,
my sincere thanks to the editor and writer
i am a mechanical engg graduate and i was in a fix of whether to do an mba as i am a fresher
i think experience wd surely help me improvise my thoughts and reason my very feeling and urge to enter management
Nice article.
I came across your article coz I plan to take my GMAT in a couple of months now…and was wondering why I want to do an MBA. The real reason – I am into IT, I do IT consulting, haev 3 years of experience after my engineering. I want to move to mainstream consulting, I am good at analysis, reasoning and communicating. I see MBA as the way to move to Consulting, I dont know exactly how. I know that an MBA is not only about it’s courseware, it’s about the networking, stress and time management as well. But, the alumni and teh peripherals cant be my reason to do an MBA. The reason has to be what I learn in the coursewares. I saw a few names – Financial Accounting, Corporate leadership, Operation management ; frankly I dont understand what they mean. So, how can I decide if I want to learn them and hence how do I decide if I want to do an MBA? Pls Advice !
Thats a lot to digest for me…but its really kewl..
nice bloggin man..
Neha: Don’t worry about the names of the courses – most MBA programs start with a number of ‘foundation’ courses that introduce MBA students to basic concepts that an undergraduate business degree provides. This makes sure that everyone is on the same footing (as everyone entering an MBA comes from a different background). After this foundation set of courses, you’ll go onto to choose the other areas where you want to focus your education. It sounds like you’re looking to do consulting, possibly running a consultancy as your own business? If that’s the case, you’ll probably be drawn to the more entrepreneurial-focused courses. Make sure to avoid any IT-centric specialization – you wouldn’t gain anything from that, given your background.
Nevin: I get the impression that you might just be jumping into considering an MBA because it sounds like the ‘right’ thing to do. I’m guessing that you’re just out of school and don’t yet really have a handle on what you want to do with your life. I’d suggest going out and working for a couple years to help you focus your thoughts on what career path you wish to pursue. It may turn out that you’re not interested in management at all! Take the time to try a couple jobs, see what you like and you don’t like, and then revisit considering the MBA in a couple years. You’ve got plenty of time, there’s no rush.
Hi Brendon,
Your blog is very insightful and informative.
However, what do you think about the actual school from which you do your MBA? Does this have any significant weight at all?
The thing that striked me the most in your blog was that you recommend commerce undergrads to not even consider MBA. I fall into such a category and was actually contemplating going for an MBA from Rotman. I have 2 and half years of experience in IT. However, I am not very sure what would be the aim of my MBA… I would want to go into strategy and pure management… but after reading you, I am not sure what MBA would offer.
Would you have any words of advice, as to – would it be a good idea or not?
Doca – I personally don’t think there’s a significant difference between one school and another in terms of the material taught. Of course, I’ve only taken my MBA once, so who am I to talk?
The piece that I believe to be important is the quality of the students, the speakers, and the alumni network – that’s where the major value lies. All the schools are using the same or similar textbooks on the same material, and professors are poor teachers as a general view (though there are a few stellar exceptions). All of the schools are teaching off of case studies from Harvard, or a similar school. There’s not a lot of differentiation there to be had – the main place where they can differentiate is the quality of the peers they can offer and the connection with people in industry.
As for whether to pursue an MBA when you already have a Commerce undergraduate degree: I think you’ll be disappointed by the depth of the material. The initial portion of most of the programs will be a crash course in a lot of stuff you already know from your undergraduate degree. If you choose electives carefully, you might still find value there, but perhaps an MSc would more worthwhile.
Hi,
Nice post. Concise and in simple english. Thanks a lot.
Rajesh
Hi everybody:
I have an Bachelor of Arts degree in Historical and Theoretical Studies in Design. I get only $7.50 jobs and do all sort of odd jobs. I earn $1200 per month and I am broke and poor. Should I do an MBA with specialization in Tech or Health Care or Global Management? I am 47 years of age. If I start in Feb 2007 then I would complete it in Summer 2008. I could move away from Texas because I from Europe and move to the North States which are Oregon or Washington which are close on the Canadian border. I think I would have more luck there because of a more Cosmopolitan area of many nationalities.
After my MBA I could to my Doctor. Please respond to this email. Thank you.
Hi Brendon,
Read your article.Its really insightful and informative.
With a background in Fashion & Textile Design from a reputed institute(NIFT) in India I had been working for 2 years as a Designer in the home furnishing Industry in India.I have always had an inclination towards subjects like commerce, economics, brand management and global business.Don’t understand these terms as much though.
Brendon I just moved to Houston and realize that there are no jobs in my field of work.So thinking of picking up some skills in business and management.Thought that an MBA helps you pick up life skills and a business qualification will help me have access to jobs here.
Just have a few months (4 to be precise) to prepare for GMAT and enter the fall semester.With my background do u think
1.I should do an MBA?
2.Will I get admission in universities here.
3.Can’t shell out much money.Do u think doing MBA from a ‘not so good’ university help me find a good job?(Thinking of doing it from Houston Baptist University or University of St.Thomas)
Need your guidance and advise.
Puja
Hi,
1. I wanted to know how will an MBA boost my career.
2. How is it important from business point of View.
3. Why should i do an MBA.
Just provide me with a list of pointers.
Thanks & Regards
Patrick
GREAT!!!!…… Brendon you solved my confusion of selecting the elective in the MBA program. i completed engineering a year ago with very low percentage. When through number of interviews to get a job. Now will to do some degree like MBA to get a job. Thanks for article.
Hi,
Wow, I am impressed with your insights, and I much identify my situation with that of yours. I am also an engineer, 5 years work experience, from Mexico who wants to move to the business side of technology and I could not agree more that, although other alternatives are available, an MBA represents a shortcut to make this leap.
It is the time of the process in which I have to select a School, so far I have been admitted by Rotman, Schulich and Sauder. They all appeal to me in various ways; however, since I’ll be enrolling as an international student the tuition fees are much higher except for Sauder which offers the same tuition to residents and internationals.
What would your recommendation be? I have a good hunch for Sauder, but I do not know much about its reputation with employers in Canada and the US.
I hope you can reply to this comment.
Thanks,
Antonio
Hi,
Thanks for an insightful article. It really made me think again about why I want to get from an MBA. Maybe you can shed some light here.I’m 31, married with an 11 month old son. Working in Accounts Payable for 9 months now(transfered after my maternity leave-wasn’t my choice though).I graduated from Australia and was told that the 3 year B.of Commcerce is not enough to even do MBA.Is this true? But I’d like to get somewhere in my career.
So please help!
Thank you very much in advance.
Nora
Juergen – It sounds like your motivations here are strictly monetary, so I think you need to pause to reconsider what you would really like to do, and then evaluate the gap between your current skills and those required. Your undergraduate degree sounds quite exotic – a background in design is interesting because, while broad and less vocational in nature, your knowledge of history and analytical process might come in quite handy in areas like industrial design. Are you perhaps dismissing your current skill set too quickly? Maybe a career counselor could advise on other possible applications of your current skills that would also be more lucrative.
Puja – Similar to Juergen, I wonder if you’re dismissing your current skill set too readily. Again, what do you really want to do? Just because there aren’t any jobs in your field in Houston doesn’t mean that you can’t work in that field. It’s a global village after all – your connections in India might actually make you an ideal candidate to help companies in the states navigate the nuances of doing business with India, or allow you to build a business of your own while tapping the production capabilities of your homeland.
Patrick – Please read the article above, as I believe I’ve answered all your questions already.
Antonio – Sauder (and most ‘foreign’ schools) aren’t really known in the US. Within Canada, Sauder/UBC has a pretty good reputation in Canada. Again, worry less about what others think about the school and more about what the students themselves have to say about the school. Personally, I think Sauder does as good a job as any of them – but you should chat to students from your other candidate schools to form your own opinion.
Nora – Hmm, an undergraduate degree is usually all that’s required to get into an MBA program. However, a four-year undergraduate program is typical in North America – I don’t know where you’re applying for an MBA, but they might require a four-year rather than a three-year undergraduate degree for admission. As for “getting somewhere in your career”, where exactly do you want to go? An MBA may not be required to get you there, but without knowing where you want to go, I can’t really offer any useful advice. Sorry!
Hi- Brendon Wilson
I currently work as a Soil Conservationist for the United Stated Department of Agriculture in Arkansas for the last five and a half years. I possess an undergraduate B.S. in Agriculture/Agronomy. In Addition, I am currently working on a M.S. in Human Resource Management at a Maryland University Online. Q1. What do you think of online education(Distance Learning)?
I had a realization last night about my career options and after completing my masters,I decided would a MBA in Human Resource Mangement lend for more opportunities in the business word along with prestige of the MBA name.
Q2. Do you think I am making a wise choice in pursuing a Masters of Science in Human Resource MGMT vs. MBA with a Human Resource Specialization, or should I go the MBA route all together?
I am 30 years old. The reason for the change in career direction is, I like agriculture and all but it is not where my passion lies; don’t get me wrong, I am good at my job but it is not what I dreamed I would be doing. I love people and wearing the power suits and negoitiating, agriculture does not offer that option. I am choosing a change in career paths because I am finally discovering what I want to do with the rest of my life and helping and informing others of change and choice is my personality outlet.
Hey there Brendon,
I have been reading through this information, and would like to thank you and everyone for their input. I am also relieved to read that I am not alone! However, like a few of the people who’ve submitted posts, I am in a “non-employabe boat”. I have a BA in Poli Sci, and have applied all over Canada for work, and have been consistently rejected. I have a solid resume, and strong references, and varied experience, but I seem to be relegated to the minimum wage pile. I am wanting to pursue PR/Advertising or really this kind of work on a global management scale, but now am second guessing it. I think for humanities and social science grads, the jobs are just not there. So my reason for pursuing an MBA is mainly that I cannot even get my foot into the door of a decent job. Seeing as you are an enginering grad, you may not be able to answer this kind of question, but do you feel that a grad of my type might benefit even more from an MBA than someone with a science or engineering degree? You have to understand that I have tried very hard to find work, and nothing has happened. And as you can imagine, have 30K n student loans, and making nothing just is not good for me at all; it means zero progression. I do not expect millions from an MBA, but think it seems like oe possible answer to my situation.
I was also wondering if you knew anyone that went to INSEAD in France? I’m leaning towards this program.
Thanks a mill,
Aa
Hi Brendon,
I was just surfing through the net and came across this article of yours. The article is perfect to induce some thoughts in the minds of those who want to pursue MBA degree course. It certainly did in my case. I am preparing for the B-schools(India) entrance exams. I hope to crack the exams and get into a good reputed B-schools.
I hope you will have something to say on this.
Thanks Brendon
I am about 3/4 of the way through an MBA. I think it really depends what you put into it. I have seen some people really get a lot of value out of the networking available in an MBA program, but you really have to put a lot of effort in for it to be useful.
Good Afternoon Mr. Wilson,
Thank you for the interesting article; I enjoyed reading of some of your educational frustrations. I am en ex-High School English teacher, so I understand those kinds of issues well. I have a couple questions if I could beg a few minutes of your time.
My background is in English (BA) and Curriculum/Instruction (MA), how difficult would a transition into an MBA program be? I have all those basic skills of which you wrote, so I’m speaking more of the holes I would have in coming from a Liberal Arts background.
Also, what sorts of career options are available once an MBA is finished? You mentioned starting at the bottom again, then working your way up. What exactly does that mean? Could you give a few examples?
I’m considering an MBA partly because a few of my friends think I could excel in the field. Being a teacher, I’m good at working with people, presenting, I can shift between the big picture and the small, and I’m sick of the mess that education has become as well as the ridiculously low pay. All that being said, what could I do with this kind of degree? What sort of day-to-day experiences might I have?
That’s a question enormous in scope, so I understand if you can’t really answer it, but I appreciate an insight or opinions you might have to offer.
Thank you,
Beth
Justin – I’m not a big fan of online education for an MBA, primarily because one of the main values of an MBA is the interaction you’ll get with a large number of people from completely different backgrounds, careers, and industries. Unless there’s a significant component where you’ll be on campus (some programs bring students in once a quarter), I’d steer clear of these programs. I’m also not sure how these online programs facilitate group projects, a critical component of an MBA. As for doing an MS vs. an MBA, the MS programs are typically more rigorous and involve a thesis of some kind. They are a bit more “serious” than an MBA – in all honesty, I’m not sure what, if any, advantage or disadvantage an MS would hold over an MBA. Sorry!
Aaron – sorry to hear you consider yourself in the ‘unemployable’ boat. Take heart in knowing that a Political Science degree can take you places – the VP of Products in the computer software company I work for has the same degree. Anything is possible. I would caution you against just jumping to the MBA, especially as you’re uncertain that PR is really where you want to be. Could you perhaps find a position in an appropriate company and work your way up/prove yourself? This would have the advantage that it would allow you to determine if this is really the field for you, without the expense and risk of pursuing the MBA blind. If you’re looking for more advice in that field, or advice on INSEAD, why not join LinkedIn and see if you can build your network to find people you can tap for opportunities or advice?
Nikesh – Good luck on your exams!
Beth – The main challenge would be dusting off the parts of your brain that you may not have been using for a fair amount of time. For many people with an arts background, numerical problem-solving and mathematics were the areas with which they struggled the most. The GMAT exam tests some of those skills, so your preparation for that exam will hopefully give you a refresher on some of those skills. The jobs you may pursue are varied, depending on your skills, your background, and the specialization you pursue as part of your MBA. With your skills, you might consider pursuing marketing – your skills would be well-suited to determining how your employer might communicate the value of its products to its target customer base. But really, the possibilities are endless – what do you really want to do?
Hi Brendon,
Really nice blog. It’s not my habit to leave comments on the articles or blogs on net, but this one deserves it. Not just for the lucid thoughts but also for the commitment towards resolving other people’s queries.
Keep up the good work.
Mrudul
I am very impressed with this article .right now i am working in IT, but i have a very little idea about my specailzations in doing my MBA. I want to more articles given by you .thank you
Really nice blog – thanks
Hi Brendon,
More than the article what I found really interesting were the issues bought up by bloggers and your insightful comments. Though of course the issues were generated because of the articles.
My key strengths have been people skills, practical approach to things and above average communication skills. I hold a PG degree in Eng Literature from best in the league college in India.
The dilemma is that I think an MBA degree will also equip me with the above mentioned skills with a good dollop of quantitative analytical skills thrown in. Is this a good enough reason to pursue an MBA Degree, because I am not doing too bad in Human Resources field for last three yrs now. Yet I feel the need to be convinced, given the opportunity cost of 2 years, before, I take-up the full time classes
hi,
Quite true but not all I don’t know wether the managers are born or they are made by so called B-Schools…but what B-Schools do they just provide you with some tools that are not known by the ordinary people or even if they know they don’t know how to get best out of it..So what’s harm, guys in paying 4-5 lacs to start a journey for a GREAT TREASSURE HUNT……..!!
BUT one thing for sure at the end of the day it’s going to be all one’s passion that’s gonna pay him back.
In addition to Brendon’s great article here, if anyone wants to really know what goes on in an MBA program, I suggest to pick up a copy of Henry Mintzberg’s ‘Managers Not MBAs: A Hard Look at the Soft Practice of Managing and Management Development’
http://books.google.com/books?id=zsYAeVgwHDQC&printsec=frontcover&vq=mintzberg
First part of the book itself is worth its price, the second half is all about his trendsetting program: IMPM – where a new type of leadership training is being practiced (at least that is what is stated in the book)… whatever, this book is a great one for those who have no idea what an MBA really is.
One more thing is, MBA can be a great option to study after some work experience as a manager even in a small company. Remember an MBA does not make you a manager or a leader, it is merely an educational course in business!
hi Brendon,
i read all yours articles and answers,and i must say they are really very useful and upto the point.
Now it is generally said that u do a MBA if you want
1] more career success in terms of promotions and pay package
2]change your career domain(eg] IT to banking/finance)
3]start your own business ( developing Enterpreneur skills).
I am somewhat confused regarding 2 point .
I am working in an IT MNC for last 1.5 years as a developer.Basically my educatioanl background in Engineering in electronics and communications and my job has to do nothing with that. 🙁
I have got a lot of interest in shares/capital markets, and so i dream to be a INVESTMENT BANKER :), this may sound silly to many but dreams are dreams.
So basically i want to change my domain from Engineering to finance 🙂
Now my question is as per point 2] if i do a MBA finance , how helpful will it prove to be to achive my Dream.But considering the fact that i dont have any commerce/accounts background what would you suggest me to do of the following
1] Directly do MBA finance
2] Work in a finance/broking company , tkae some experience and then do MBA
waiting eagerly for your guidance.
Hi Brendon,
Great Blog… I was looking for information regarding why I should do an MBA and got the information. I am 28 years old, have MS in Computer Science with 4 years of work experience for a big Pharma company in Chicago area and I have my own consulting business(with 5 employees),I am thinking of doing MBA from Kellogs(or top 20 schools) as they just started parttime MBA, which we can finish in 2.5 years. But my big dilemma is instead of doing an MBA should I concentrate on my consulting company and grow it? which I don’t know if I will succed in because of the competition. Any suggestion/help will be greatly appreciated.
Ravi,
Given that you’re already running a business (successfully enough for the moment, it sounds like), what would you hope to get out of an MBA that you haven’t already gotten out of real, hands-on experience? I’m not saying it wouldn’t be a useful exercise, I’m just wondering about your goals – what skills do you believe the MBA will provide that you are currently lacking?
Hi Brendon,
It was a very good piece of your experience that you have shared. But can you tell me,how to find what one really likes or likes to become in life? I know its strange,but I guess I am still at the bottom line and need help from people who have more experience than me.
Hi
with a lot of confusion in my mind regarding opting for an MBA, I started an online search to get answers to my queries…. when i came across this website and the views posted i felt a little relaxed as i thought this might be the place where my battle of confusion would come to an end….
i am a post graduate in Food science and nutrition and frankly speaking this degree seems quite fascinating to all but has little scope in terms of earning great bucks…at least in India…. after a lot of struggle in getting a job hospitals and gyms and even for that matter teaching as a career i realized that i wont be able to earn huge money and reach a higher professional post if i stick to these options…. an MBA seemed to give a kick start even at the cost of sacrificing what i learnt in the last few years…i am thoroughly confused whether will an MBA really help me reach a higher professional position or not? all i want is to be successful and hold a good position in a good company….
Hi Mr. Brendon
Thanks for the insightful article. I m an Engineer in electronics and pursuing MBA in finance. I don’t have any work experience. How should i justify this diversification in job interviews. I would be really thankful if u could answer this query of mine.
Thanks
Ankit
I am considering to persue corporate PGDBA and I have an experience of 5 years in a BPO currently working as a team lead. I am not sure if it is the right thing to do. Need your help.
Thank you very much for this article. I am in the corporate world, thinking how to boost my career. I have been thinking about doing an MBA abroad (I am Colombian), and I know this demands a huge financial effort. I agree that an MBA can be the boost but is simply a title and a guide of reading material. MBA sounds imperative in the corporate world, is what people expect you to do at a given moment, but I am not sure that is what I want. I am actually considering to change my career to something I really like (involving International Affairs, Political Science).
I read this blog and the following comments with great interest. I have been accepted into a MBA program overseas, at a university based in the Netherlands. I spent a great deal of time determining whether or not I want to pursue a MBA. I too graduated from SFU in British Columbia, Canada, with a Bachelors degree in Business Administration.
After talking to many professors, students, and professionals inside and outside my faculty, I realized that the MBA was right for me. Only 1 person told me that a MBA might not be a huge asset, but admitted that she might be higher up the corporate ladder if she had that piece of paper.
As I am young, only 25, I will have the means and the ability to repay my debt (undergraduate and graduate debt) in a quick amount of time. Further, I am female, and we are in demand both in the MBA program and in upper-level management due to the inequalities that currently exist in enrolment and participation.
Education can never hurt, and it is a great way to understand the importance of international business, international networking, and cross-cultural awareness. Even if you never plan to step outside your respective state, province or country, this degree will give you insights and understanding into “globalization,” which affect all of us everyday. Many MBA programs offer exchange programs to other B-schools around the world, further internationalizing your experience.
Further, prospective North American MBA students should be aware of the benefits of doing your MBA overseas. Full-time MBA programs in Europe are often offered as 13 month programs; they have been accelerated, condensed from the traditional 2 year programs in North America. European B-schools often offer lodging options, have more international students and faculty, and more international employment options post-degree. This can cut back on the high costs of the MBA program, internationalize your degree, and enrich your experience.
Undergraduate business students, please do not discount the importance of the MBA program solely because one person feels it is not valuable. I have talked to many MBA alumni from all around the world who came from a business background, both academic and professional, and most of them told me how much they valued their respective MBA programs. Undergraduate business programs from North American universities are largely theoretical, with little time spent on practical applications. As well, undergraduate programs in North America require a large portion of course credits to come from outside the business faculty, further diluting the practical business experience you receive. The MBA bridges this drawback (and complements your existing skill set) by largely focusing on the practical, allowing one to test and fine-tune their skills in a protected and knowledge-based environment. It is designed to make you more marketable and relevant in today’s working world.
Often, the process of acquiring knowledge is a slow, almost organic process. Changes in our thinking process are almost unidentifiable, and often do not happen in the way we think. I am going to estimate that some individuals do not even realize the benefits they have gleamed from their educational and professional experiences, including undergraduate and MBA programs, resulting in negative feelings towards their educational pursuits.
As an aside, the individual who was questioning the MBA and had an interest in PR, there is a really strong PR-focused program offered by Humber in Toronto, Ontario, Canada (http://postgraduate.humber.ca/04561.htm.) It is a 1 year program and you will be given a graduate certificate, required to finish a relevant internship, and taught by leaders in the field. My best friend attended the program and really loved it (she holds a Bachelors degree in Communications from SFU.) There are often many other, more targeted, programs available outside the MBA program.
At the end of the day, the choice is yours. Look at the issue critically, weighing the financial, professional, and personals costs and gains impartially. The MBA program is not a ticket to print money, but it can be an important asset to kick start your professional development, broaden your knowledge, and grow your professional (and personal!) network.
Go to the schools, sit in on the classes, talk to the students, contact alumni, and really, really critically assess your goals and desires. You do not need a MBA to get where you want to be, but it certainly can be a leg up!
Good luck!
hi
ur blog inf is truely realistic & practical, i read many doubts & thr reply. i m BE Computer with 3 yrs of exp. in software testing & quality… i m planning for MBA, but having some confusion
1. how is it benificial [related to my field]?
2. which course should be choosen?
there are some certification courses also available[like CST,CSQA,ETC..]SO WHICH ARE MORE BENIFICIAL?
plz advise me.
One thing I have noticed amongst people from Canada is that they are much more open minded and comparatively a lot more respectful to different cultures. I also find Canadians to be more effective in communicators and very articulate as compared to the American students. That’s just my opnion anyways. I live in US by the way.
I actually hold a Bacehlors in Economics, and am certainly looking forward to do my Masters in Accounting (MBA/MS).
I intend to be in public accounting for a few years and the perhaps work from there on, which is why I want to have my CPA after my masters.
Anyways would like your opinion on this. Thanks.
Brendon loved the way you laid bare the foundations in a MBA program!.I also think you are the one guy who could help me with my problem.I have 5 years of experience in telecom (GSM), have electronics engineering degree, and work in RF optimization technology which is in good demand these days in the world.I am also in consulting and can earn 6000$-8000$/month easily from contract to contract.The problem is that me and (most of my colleagues) are tired from this ongoing circle of consulting and living on contracts to contracts, also the job is not really a white collar job and sometimes you have to go drive test in the field and sit long hours in the office (13-14) compared to this the guys in MBA especially finance in middle east (one being my close relative) are earning about 9k$ in risk management(in just three years time or so), dont have gruelling time lines and also can enjoy their lives as a executives with a upward ladder to think of.What do u advise that if i switch my field at the age of 29 switch to finance and do certification like
CFA …can i be on the right track..what can i do then?..is mba the answer..or MS finance…some people advise about doing project managment certifications like PMP or quality assurance cert like six sigma and go into a smoother and more enjoyable line of project management.What do u suggest?..ill be waiting for your answer!!
There’s been a lot of comments on this post over the past couple of months, and I’ve been waiting to answer them in a batch. So, here goes:
@Yeshwanth: My suggestion would be to experiment. If you’re young, you have a lot of time to figure out your passion. Try a lot of jobs early in your career – it’s an acceptable time to do it. If money/stability is a concern, try to find a bigger company that offers the ability to move around within the company. This will allow you to try out different departments, job roles, without impacting your earnings.
@Meenakshi: I’d go identify the type of work you want to perform, and then figure out what qualifications you need to get there, not the other way around.
@Ankit: I’d suggest you go out and get a little more work experience before you pursue an MBA – otherwise, the experience will probably be less useful to you. As for how to explain “diversifying” your experience by taking an MBA, I think “diversification” is a pretty good answer! Employers are always looking for people who can bridge the gap between disciplines, and there’s no more powerful combination than a degree in a technical discipline and an MBA. The world always needs people to translate technical knowledge into an accessible business terms, and vice-versa.
@Kate: I can’t really help you without more information. Why are you looking at an MBA or PGDBA? What are your goals?
@Caroline: Sounds like you have a practical point of view of the MBA. However, it is a very useful way to switch careers, as you don’t necessarily need to abandon your prior experience and start over – you can instead make a smoother transition.
@Stephanie: While I agree that international exposure is a something everyone should puruse, I disagree that the MBA is something that someone with an undergraduate Business Administration degree should pursue – there will be very little additional value, from my perspective. The MBA is a degree best used to augment an existing specialization with business knowledge the student doesn’t already possess – if you did a BA degree, you already have that knowledge, but not an external specialization. Go find something else to specialize in.
@Monica: If you’re in QA/Software Testing, an MBA might be useful if you’re trying to make a transition into another area in the software industry that leverages your technical knowledge. For example, you might consider product marketing, product management, marketing, or sales. All of these areas can benefit from a technical background, but require knowledge of how to frame and analyze business processes and problems. As for which qualifications are more beneficial – to what purpose? To make more money? Be more readily employable? To provide education of practical value?
@Usman: Not really sure what you want my opinion on…
@Arslan: First of all, what do you really want out of your career? Stability? More money? More satisfaction? I think if your concern is about reducing your travel time, you can do other things in telecoms that would achieve that without an MBA (for example, you could move into product development). As an engineer myself, I have to tell you I found finance boring as hell in the MBA, as well as somewhat confusing (the numbers in finance are way different than the numbers engineers are used to – they’re malleable). What you might consider instead is what you want to achieve – I think more job satisfaction is your goal. Ask yourself: is there something related to my current job that I could do that would benefit from an MBA? I wouldn’t go looking to switch careers simply for the money. There’s a lot of miserable lawyers and doctors out there….
brendon thanks for the teply.one other query…what is your opinion on MBA in ‘technical management’, is it feasible for going into technical sales and project management…which universities do you prefer in the U.K or U.S for these type of courses?
thanx
I’m not a fan of the “technology”-centric MBAs, and I advise people who already have an IT/technology background to avoid them. Even if you don’t have a technical background, I’m not sure how much you’ll get out of them.
For most disciplines in a technology industry, you really need a technology-centric undergrad degree to benefit from an MBA – tacking on a “technology” MBA won’t really give you the depth those jobs require (in my opinion) in most cases. Topics in technology are far harder to learn than business topics – for all of you planning your career out there – do an undergrad in a technical discipline first, then get an MBA (only if it fits your plan) later to augment your skills after a few years of work experience.
Hi Brendon,
I am a software engineer with a 3 years work experience and have been working with a product company as a release engineer.I was thinking of doing an MBA to move up the ladder as well as earn more and shift from the profile of a release engineer to something like Product management, Product Marketing or sales. I think i have gathered a good understanding of how a product company works. What do you suggest? Which fields do you suggest i can go for?
It would be great if you could help me out with the same.
@Anil: You might consider looking into switching jobs within the company you’re already in. If you’ve demonstrated your abilities in the company, a role change may be easier than going and doing an MBA and then trying to find a job in a new role. I’d recommend trying to change your role now, get a year or two under your belt in the new role, and then go do the MBA.
That way, it shows steady growth: “I was in release engineering, but I wanted more of a challenge/to diversify my skill set, so I moved to Product Management. After two years, I wanted to expand my skills to I went and did an MBA, and now I’m looking for XYZ…”