I'd like to pose an open question to the forum members that have obtained their MBAs (which I believe are many).  I am strongly considering going down this road to enhance my career and earning potential.  Having already taken a GMAT test prep course and found the sample questions incredibly simple, I would venture to say that I won't have much of a challenge scoring well and ultimately being accepted.  However, what I don't know is the level of difficulty once enrolled.  I have heard from both sides of the spectrum.  My one friend said it was a cakewalk, the other dropped out after one course.  I would consider both to be hard-working, intelligent people.

 

That being said, what do some of this forum MBA-holders think? Is it worth it for all the obvious reasons, or ultimately an unnecessary financial burden that one would not pursue again given the chance?  Obviously there is no one answer, and a ton of variables, but I would like some honest feedback and advice from real-world examples in an attempt to see what I might have in store for me! 

 

Thanks! :-D

You might find some of this discussion helpful:

http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,16043.0.html

can the MBA threads be merged??

I guess it just depends on the opportunities you take or persue with it. My grandpa majored in English literature in undergrad then got an MBA and does business management consulting; needless to say the MBA helped him a lot more than the English literature (well, unless you count the improved English language skills lol). I think reading the Wall Street Journal every day helps him more than anything for what he does. I heard an MBA is great if you have a planning degree but want to get into real estate acquisition and development.

 

Maybe if you gave info on what field you're in and what your undergrad degree was, people on here could give you examples of how an MBA has helped other people they know in a similar situation as yours?

david,  i have an undergraduate degree in marketing.  currently i work in advertising with limited opportunity for career growth.  i've sort of been typecast as only being able to do one specific thing based on my experience.  i'd like to work more in the traditional sense of marketing with an eye towards product development as a marketing manager client-side, and not for an agency.

I think it depends the route you take.  I earned my MBA part time while working fulltime.  Because of that - it sucked!  The last thing I wanted to do after a full day of work was go to class for 3-4 hours, and group meetings on weekends.

 

HOWEVER - it only took my two complete years (no summers off) to earn my MBA.  Hindsight, it wasn't TOO bad, but there were times during that I considered for a very brief moment to stop. 

 

I would imagine you would have a completely different experience should you do your MBA fulltime.  I think having a MBA is important these days.  Having an undergraduate degree does not set you apart as much as it did 15 years ago.  It is almost expected in some fields that a post-graduate degree will either be earned or pursued. 

If I am not being too forward, could I ask about the financial ramifications (both good and bad) achieving your MBA has had? 

It depends on where you are in life.  If I would have stayed in Cleveland and worked for a company there, I'm sure I might have seen a difference.  But because I moved I can't say with 100% certainty that the change in pay was soley due to getting my MBA's.

Did you find the workload far exceeded that of your undergraduate studies?  I am not a rocket scientist, but I'm not stupid either, my concern is that I won't be able to do this while working full time.

Did you find the workload far exceeded that of your undergraduate studies?  I am not a rocket scientist, but I'm not stupid either, my concern is that I won't be able to do this while working full time.

We'll I had "time on my hands" I went full time when I got laid off from SOHIO and again when I got laid off from Warner Music.

 

The first time was adjusting back to "studying" and not socializing, the ex wasn't happy with that.  If you have a significant other, they need to be 100% on board and supportive.

 

The second time I was much easier, since I had the authority to do it on my own terms and still do my job.

I've been thinking about doing the same thing down here in Cincinnati.  Luckily, my employer will pay for the bulk of it.  It was never something I was interested in, but through a combination of luck and skill, I went from my crappy foot-in-the-door job to the top of my department in a little less than 3 years.  So now if I want to advance further, I either need to change companies or move into management.  I'm hoping that obtaining an MBA will help me in either of those scenarios, since I don't know which I will choose a few years down the line.  As I'm not in a rush, I plan on taking one course at a time and wrapping up in 3 or 4 years, instead of killing myself to get out in 2 years while working 40-50 hours a week.

 

So I'm not really worried about the money or the workload.  What concerns me is the possibility of group projects and the like.  With my job, I often have to work weird hours and weekends, so if there are a ton of group projects, this will be a much bigger problem for me than if it is mainly solo work.  So, I have a question for those of you with your MBA:  Does it consist mainly of solo or group projects, or does it depend on the school you attend?

I'd say mine was 70/30 group and individual, respectively. I went to Marshall.

I'd say 70/30 about right.

Hmmm, 70/30 group to individual sounds like a serious PITA.  I've been thinking about doing the executive MBA program at Xavier in a few years.  Then again, its probably a bit early to be considering another degree given that I'll be graduating from a JD program this Saturday.  But with the job I am going into after the bar and all that, well an MBA would be a big help... But 70/30?  I hate group work!

its the "apprentice".  Just be the project manager on all projects and delegate.  lol

Delegating I can do, but there's no "you're fired" when you don't live up to my standards ;)

Hmmm, 70/30 group to individual sounds like a serious PITA.  I've been thinking about doing the executive MBA program at Xavier in a few years.  Then again, its probably a bit early to be considering another degree given that I'll be graduating from a JD program this Saturday.  But with the job I am going into after the bar and all that, well an MBA would be a big help... But 70/30?  I hate group work!

 

I hear ya.  70/30?  Yuck...

Delegating I can do, but there's no "you're fired" when you don't live up to my standards ;)

 

and on the plus side, no "squirrels nest comb over" hair do!

Hmmm, 70/30 group to individual sounds like a serious PITA.  I've been thinking about doing the executive MBA program at Xavier in a few years.  Then again, its probably a bit early to be considering another degree given that I'll be graduating from a JD program this Saturday.  But with the job I am going into after the bar and all that, well an MBA would be a big help... But 70/30?  I hate group work!

 

Why would someone with a Law degree need an MBA? I"m curious because I'd like to go to Law school some day and I know they have joint JD/MBA programs. Does it increase your likelihood of being a partner? Or do you not plan on working at a Law firm?

I will be taking a job as general counsel at a software startup.  In house legal jobs are usually more "business" oriented, so its aspects of understanding the business and the legal strategies to minimize risk while maximizing profits.  Its not likely to have any relation to likelihood to make partner at all (thats all sweat of the brow success/who you know).  It could be helpful to understanding and working with your business clients, but its not of direct benefit to the eclusive practice of law (like at a firm).

Ah, I gotcha. Thanks for the info.

I will be taking a job as general counsel at a software startup.  In house legal jobs are usually more "business" oriented, so its aspects of understanding the business and the legal strategies to minimize risk while maximizing profits.  Its not likely to have any relation to likelihood to make partner at all (thats all sweat of the brow success/who you know).  It could be helpful to understanding and working with your business clients, but its not of direct benefit to the eclusive practice of law (like at a firm).

 

Most General Counsel are "on deck" "Chief Operating Officer" or "EVP of Operations" so getting an MBA could work to your advantage, since every contract will need the GCs approval. 

MBA Isn't a Guarantee

Many top executives succeed without advance degrees, recruiters say

By Eve Tahmincioglu, MSNBC.com careers contributor

 

Melanie Holmes is an executive for a Fortune 500 employment services firm and two years ago, at age 55, she decided to go back to school and get her MBA.

 

Why? It's not what you think.

 

More below

 

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/custom/msn/careeradvice/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1395&SiteId=cbmsnbc41395&sc_extcmp=JS_1395_msnbc&GT1=23000&cbRecursionCnt=1&cbsid=d730fc5dec8e4624a15407f7737df809-264203953-JA-5