A friend/colleague of mine recently decided to leave the University and pursue a MBA degree. Once again I am intrigued by the thought process that goes into making the decision. I've been mulling over a MBA degree for the past few years. I'm usually a very impulsive person. I wish for once my impulses would simply push me over the edge. It is not that I can't commit or dedicate time (training for Triathlon takes a lot of effort) to any endeavor. I just have this mental block.
I am meeting with my friend tomorrow to see how she decided to make the jump. Both of us shared similar career paths and we are both managers. Why is she leaving now? Realistically, two years of full time B-School seems to be a solid investment. I can see it giving her more upward mobility in any organization. I also have come to the realization that a Bachelor's degree ain't going to cut it...anywhere.
So, THANK YOU, my U2 BUDDY...I've signed up with a co-worker to an information session on August 9th for the UCLA Anderson MBA Program. Let's get the application process JUMPSTARTED!!!
I estimate $90 - $100K for the entire "MBA" experience. Please make checks out to "Mike Lee".
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4 comments:
i share the same thought. read my blog! Masterlee, lets push ourselves over the edge! both in Tri-training and MBA. you can continue to be a Bruin, and I will shoot to be your foil once again as a Trojan. Lets get started on the rat race, I need the push!
I'm getting a little tired of the training. GMATs! Yuck!
It is definitely harder to get back to school once you are in the work force. Is the investment worth it? You are the best judge for it. My advice is to strive for a top 25 business school to get your money's (not your dog) worth. In southern cal, I'd only go for UCLA or USC (if you can't get into ucla). Also, mba is worth its value only if you decide to go on the management track. It's practically useless if you go on the technical route. good luck, buddy.
The WSJ has some interesting articles and tools that might help you decide whether or not to go, whether to go full time or part time, and of course where to go.
http://www.collegejournal.com/mbacenter/
Let me know if you don't have a subscription already. As a more general book for thinking about your career, check out What Color is My Parachute. A bit dated and hokey at times, but some useful exercises.
I got my MBA quite a long time ago now. It's was a good experience. In some ways it's the education that my undergrad experience never gave me. Not to put down my alma mater, it was probably a combination of the smaller class environment, and my own maturity.
I'd say that the long term value of an MBA is not so much the mechanical aspects that you learn as it is the network of people that you meet, and the "charm school" aspect of it. In that sense, I think the PDP seems to do a good job of giving you some of that. In terms of its contribution to your salary, that's negligible in the long run. It will give you a boost when you first come out, and for many people allow them to switch career tracks, but after that, it's all about what you've done for the company lately. And rightly so.
Don't view it as a cure all, it's easy to list a number of successful people that lack degrees and certifications. Heck, you probably even know a few personal cases as well, I certainly do.
Bottom line, if it makes *YOU* happy, do it. If it doesn't, life is too short, move on.
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