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Going back to school

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I don't have any first hand experience with it but I've thought about going back and getting an MBA at some point so I always like to heard the experience of friends and friends of friends that went on to get an MBA.

What I've learned its really about the specific industry you are in and/or you want to get into. If you want to get a new job in the same industry, it might set you apart but it can hurt you in other industries or companies. You really need to talk to people who have done it in the job you want to do.

The finance guys that have done it, most ended up regretting doing it. They could have kept grinding and working their way up in those two year for an equally or better pay off. Most of the finance guys I know who did it went to top 10-15 MBA programs too.

I also know a couple people who went to do it as a change of career and it helped them out with getting a new job. Top 25 or even Top 50 schools are about making connections and using them to leverage a new job. I've always been told that a top 25 school is usual what you should aim for and you need to do your research on what companies partner with top 50 school. Like Case Western reserve was a top 50 school but they don't get alot of big companies to partner with them.

I also had a friend who went and did his MBA in accounting so he could get his CPA. I think getting the CPA helped him get a good job with his previous experience. He went to some regional school for his MBA and I don't think it seem to help him actually get the job but it didn't hurt. He didn't make any good connection thru the school.

I also had a friend get an MBA from an online school and he was in pharma sales. At the end of the day I think it actually hurt him. He did it for the pay raise because he was a regional sale manager and the company gave raises for degrees. I think the pay level made it hard for him to get other jobs because other pharma companies had similar pay strutures and it would set him apart in a bad way.

Interesting. I dont really have a career. I would more be looking for it help springboard me into a career. I was in sales, lost my job, dont really want another sales job. I guess I’ll have to do some research on the focus areas and see exactly what sort of job I would like to get into, but at this point I’ll be honest, I just need something.
 
Interesting. I dont really have a career. I would more be looking for it help springboard me into a career. I was in sales, lost my job, dont really want another sales job. I guess I’ll have to do some research on the focus areas and see exactly what sort of job I would like to get into, but at this point I’ll be honest, I just need something.

It might be good for you if you can figure out what career path you want to go down. Im not sure if you majored in business but if you did, I've heard it's pretty easy unlike alot of other higher degrees.

I had a friend who went to top 15 school and had no business experience. She worked in a lawyer's office before getting her MBA. She ending up easily getting a job after getting her MBA.
 
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People should try trade schools. No student loans, you get apprenticeships and make money while you learn. Union.
 
People should try trade schools. No student loans, you get apprenticeships and make money while you learn. Union.

I agree but I think trade schools are a hard route for alot of people because they don't have the exposure to trades. Trade school are so specific in the trade you will go into. You can't just come in and decide on the route you will take as you go. Like you need to go to complete different schools for HVAC, Welding, automotive mechanic, aircraft mechanic, plumbing, etc. I think high schools should offer a class or two that intros you to different trades.
 
I don't have any first hand experience with it but I've thought about going back and getting an MBA at some point so I always like to heard the experience of friends and friends of friends that went on to get an MBA.

What I've learned its really about the specific industry you are in and/or you want to get into. If you want to get a new job in the same industry, it might set you apart but it can hurt you in other industries or companies. You really need to talk to people who have done it in the job you want to do.

The finance guys that have done it, most ended up regretting doing it. They could have kept grinding and working their way up in those two year for an equally or better pay off. Most of the finance guys I know who did it went to top 10-15 MBA programs too.

I also know a couple people who went to do it as a change of career and it helped them out with getting a new job. Top 25 or even Top 50 schools are about making connections and using them to leverage a new job. I've always been told that a top 25 school is usual what you should aim for and you need to do your research on what companies partner with top 50 school. Like Case Western reserve was a top 50 school but they don't get alot of big companies to partner with them.

I also had a friend who went and did his MBA in accounting so he could get his CPA. I think getting the CPA helped him get a good job with his previous experience. He went to some regional school for his MBA and I don't think it seem to help him actually get the job but it didn't hurt. He didn't make any good connection thru the school.

I also had a friend get an MBA from an online school and he was in pharma sales. At the end of the day I think it actually hurt him. He did it for the pay raise because he was a regional sale manager and the company gave raises for degrees. I think the pay level made it hard for him to get other jobs because other pharma companies had similar pay strutures and it would set him apart in a bad way.

I agree with a lot of what you wrote. However, I think I have to disagree with the part about an MBA hurting you somehow. I have NEVER in my life heard anything close to that.

For example, I have heard intelligent debates about topics such as CPA vs MBA, or etc., but never just outright heard to just avoid an MBA altogether because it will make you un-hireable somehow.

Now if you want to debate if an MBA program is right for certain careers/people, to me that is also a decent argument.
 
Interesting. I dont really have a career. I would more be looking for it help springboard me into a career. I was in sales, lost my job, dont really want another sales job. I guess I’ll have to do some research on the focus areas and see exactly what sort of job I would like to get into, but at this point I’ll be honest, I just need something.

In my opinion, and from my experience, the MBA is good for a few reasons:

- It helps to make a career change/shift.

- It opens the door for management. I know of many places that will NOT consider you for their top management positions if you do not have some sort of Masters degree, regardless how good you are at your skilled position.

- It CAN act like a substitue for some places that have requirements above and beyond a regular undergrad degree.


PS- The hard part is not knowing if you should get a MBA or not. Thats a no-brainer. The hard part is getting decent GMAT scores, getting your application requirements in order, and finally, getting accepted into the best program you can AFFORD!
 
I agree with a lot of what you wrote. However, I think I have to disagree with the part about an MBA hurting you somehow. I have NEVER in my life heard anything close to that.

For example, I have heard intelligent debates about topics such as CPA vs MBA, or etc., but never just outright heard to just avoid an MBA altogether because it will make you un-hireable somehow.

Now if you want to debate if an MBA program is right for certain careers/people, to me that is also a decent argument.

My point was for certain careers and people it helps more than others. I'm not saying it makes you un-hireable, outside the rare pharma case I said, which was a online MBA and I think there were other factors. I would avoid getting a MBA from a non top 50 school if you can.

These are all specific people I've talked to about their experiences with getting a MBA. I wasn't trying to sway him from getting an MBA, like I said I might try to get one at some point. I was saying go talk to people in the industry you want to go in and see if they think it's worth it. Sometimes the loans, money lost, and advancement in the workplace is not made up by having an MBA.
 
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I think with all college undergrad or graduate programs most of them are a check mark, unless it’s in a field where you need to really learn a field of study. I have my MBA and it’s not like your going to get a ton of great job offers for just having the piece of paper, but would make a difference if you fighting for a job and are equal with the other people going for it and you have a MBA and the do not. For me the biggest advantage for me was the networking but also being around the people in the class and learning from them. So much of getting a good career and job, is working hard, being coachable and knowing how to navaigate the corporate political game. For me getting my MBA helped me with this and proved to employeers your drive to be successful.
 
I agree with a lot of what you wrote. However, I think I have to disagree with the part about an MBA hurting you somehow. I have NEVER in my life heard anything close to that.

For example, I have heard intelligent debates about topics such as CPA vs MBA, or etc., but never just outright heard to just avoid an MBA altogether because it will make you un-hireable somehow.

Now if you want to debate if an MBA program is right for certain careers/people, to me that is also a decent argument.
There is nothing wrong with having an MBA, it's just that usually the ROI isn't worth the investment into the degree, especially if you aren't in a top 10 program.

You're probably better off taking a tour, asking questions about the curriculum and trying to find out the books they read/study. Read those books, save $116,000 and don't worry about missing out on potential wages while going back to school.
 
There is nothing wrong with having an MBA, it's just that usually the ROI isn't worth the investment into the degree, especially if you aren't in a top 10 program.

You're probably better off taking a tour, asking questions about the curriculum and trying to find out the books they read/study. Read those books, save $116,000 and don't worry about missing out on potential wages while going back to school.

I also think if you have a job in the industry you want and you want to get an MBA for career advancement. A full time MBA program might not be for you. Going part time or at night with a good program might take longer but it keeps you in the industry and advancing in your job.

For the finance guys I knew who got an MBA from really good programs, some in the top 5. They thought it was going to be a short cut to career advancement but found out that they were getting offer for the same jobs they left or just slightly better. The 2+ years out of the industry wasn't made for by the MBA. Maybe down the road the MBA will help them but their short term gains from it wasn't what they thought it would be.
 
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In my opinion, and from my experience, the MBA is good for a few reasons:

- It helps to make a career change/shift.

- It opens the door for management. I know of many places that will NOT consider you for their top management positions if you do not have some sort of Masters degree, regardless how good you are at your skilled position.

- It CAN act like a substitue for some places that have requirements above and beyond a regular undergrad degree.


PS- The hard part is not knowing if you should get a MBA or not. Thats a no-brainer. The hard part is getting decent GMAT scores, getting your application requirements in order, and finally, getting accepted into the best program you can AFFORD!

That's the other thing...I'm pretty much limited financially and geographically. I just moved to Charlotte, I'm not moving again to go to school, so I'd need to go somewhere here. I won't be going to some top 20 school or anything, so I guess I'm wondering if an MBA is worth it if you don't. From what I gather as long as you don't go to Podunk University or w/e, it is absolutely worth it, but everyone has a different opinion. For someone like me who is struggling to find a decent job at all, I don't see how I need to go to Stanford in order to get what I need from an MBA program, but then again that is why I'm posting.
 
That's the other thing...I'm pretty much limited financially and geographically. I just moved to Charlotte, I'm not moving again to go to school, so I'd need to go somewhere here. I won't be going to some top 20 school or anything, so I guess I'm wondering if an MBA is worth it if you don't. From what I gather as long as you don't go to Podunk University or w/e, it is absolutely worth it, but everyone has a different opinion. For someone like me who is struggling to find a decent job at all, I don't see how I need to go to Stanford in order to get what I need from an MBA program, but then again that is why I'm posting.

Like @cavsfan1985 said the networking and other students were the big advantages. If the MBA program you go to partners will big companies in the Charlotte area and the pool of students is from the business world in Charlotte that could help you a ton. Picking a small school with small class sizes might actually be a disadvantage over the bigger school.
 
Like @cavsfan1985 said the networking and other students were the big advantages. If the MBA program you go to partners will big companies in the Charlotte area and the pool of students is from the business world in Charlotte that could help you a ton. Picking a small school with small class sizes might actually be a disadvantage over the bigger school.

Yeah, that was pretty much a number one priority is making sure the school I go to provides adequate networking for students and job placement after graduation. Charlotte is a pretty big and growing hub, so hopefully I can find that.
 
That's the other thing...I'm pretty much limited financially and geographically. I just moved to Charlotte, I'm not moving again to go to school, so I'd need to go somewhere here. I won't be going to some top 20 school or anything, so I guess I'm wondering if an MBA is worth it if you don't. From what I gather as long as you don't go to Podunk University or w/e, it is absolutely worth it, but everyone has a different opinion. For someone like me who is struggling to find a decent job at all, I don't see how I need to go to Stanford in order to get what I need from an MBA program, but then again that is why I'm posting.

I agree that you absolutely have to be realistic and try and find out whats the best program around where you live and do everything you can to get in.

Personally, I would always recommend the part-time route while working, but I know that that is not always an option. So sometimes a full-time program is the best option.

As far as getting an MBA, yes you should absolutely try to get into one....IF YOU ARE PLANNING ON WORKING IN THE BUSINESS WORLD. You don't have to take my word for it. Go and find a few jobs that you would like to have in the next 5 yrs. Scroll down to their requirements. Most likely you will see some variation of the "MBA" in "Preferred" section.

Remember that companies are receiving hundreds of applications. MOST LIKELY, everyone that does not meet the Preferred qualifications will get passed over.

So in short, if you want the best chance to land a job, you want your resume to be able to check off all the highest boxes possible....if you want a chance.

Ps- I believe that the Response rate on job applications is dog-shit low. Like 4% just to be contacted for an interview. So you want to put your BEST foot forward when you apply. An MBA helps with that at least.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lizrya...ations-get-no-replies-heres-how/#20040c6b1e55
 
Yeah, that was pretty much a number one priority is making sure the school I go to provides adequate networking for students and job placement after graduation. Charlotte is a pretty big and growing hub, so hopefully I can find that.

Also look for schools that have projects with companies as part of the curriculum. You and your classmates go in for a couple weeks and work on something for a big company in the area. This is one of the staples what good MBA programs are doing. They get you some work experience but you also start networking directly with these companies while still in school.
 

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