How many people have their MBA's?

tplyons · #1 01-24-2009, 09:29 PM

It's something I want to do one day, is to get my MBA, however, I'm tossing the idea around of doing it sooner rather than later, especially if this job market doesn't pick up. I'll graduate in May with a B.A. in Business Management. I'm worried about employment, as every lead I've had has pretty much ended in "we're still laying off people and we don't know when hiring will pick back up, but we'll keep your resumé on file."

How were the GMAT's? What Business School did you go to? Did you do the traditional two year program, accelerated, or part time? Do you feel it bettered your career? Would you recommend it?

Any advice?

Lesfunk · #2 01-24-2009, 10:37 PM

I got an MBA as long as "MBA" stands for Many Basses Around the house

**peabody** · #3 01-24-2009, 11:03 PM

I got mine back in the early 90's from the University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis/St. Paul. I'm an HR guy and I knew that a Master's was going to be necessary for me at some point to make me more marketable. I decided on an MBA (with an HR concentration) over an HR-type Master's (Industrial Relations, etc.) because I knew the business stuff would help me at some point in my career...and it has, tremendously.

The program I went through was specifically designed for working adults, so all of the classes were in the evenings or on Saturdays...this was before the on-line programs became the rage. I averaged two classes per semester and one in the summer and I was able to get through in about 2 1/2 years.

I had two major advantages at that time...I did this before kids (I'm not sure if it would have been possible post-kids) and second, the company I was working for at the time paid for it....that definitely was an incentive to get it done.

Did it better my career?...absolutely. St. Thomas did a great job putting these programs together and they definitely hit a niche at the time. They now offer a part-time law program, and I will admit, if they would have offered the law program at the time I went through my MBA, I probably would have picked the law degree over the MBA, but that's just because of my field.

I'm not sure what advice to offer, other than it may be helpful to speak to people who have gone throught the exact program you are looking at. Again, I finished mine almost 15 years ago, so things have changed a little. Imagine a world where if you wanted to find out something about a subject, instead of turning to Google, you went to the library. And if you were driving and suddenly had to make a phone call, you pulled over and found a pay phone. As my 13 year old would say, I also used to ride a dinosaur to work back then too.

Anyway, I wish you luck!

MakiSupaStar · #4 01-24-2009, 11:29 PM

I don't have an MBA, but I do have a M.A. in Education. I think your idea of taking care of that while the job market is dead is not a bad idea. Unless, you want to write your thesis on the launch of that business model in your back pocket.

Joe Gress · #5 01-24-2009, 11:33 PM

That's it. Quitting looking for a job, I'm going to school. I'll suck up the loans.

Pilgrim · #6 01-24-2009, 11:58 PM

No MBA, but Ph.D. here. I work in distance education at a university and when the economy goes sour like it is now, our student numbers increase dramatically. Lots of people decide to get more competitive by earning degrees and certificates via distance ed while they stay on the job and work. It never hurts you to add more qualifications, especially when the situation gets more competitive.

**NOLA Bass** · #7 01-25-2009, 09:33 AM

Got mine in 2002 from University of New Orleans. Two year program as I had a Liberal Arts undergrad. I had actually been out of school for a number of years and working retail managment (Musicians Friend and then Guitar Center) when I went back. Figured it was now or never before I had a family to take care of and too many bills. Anyway, I changed careers b/c of mine, yet I didn't have an the business undergrad so my experience may well be different from someone with one. I've been in Marketing for almost 7 years now.

tycobb73 · #8 01-25-2009, 10:14 AM

Got mine 7-8 years ago. Like you I said the job market was too rough and just kept going. The GMAT is a breeze. I thought I was taking the ACT again. The only thing you may be aware of is a lot of people may thing you are over qualified but a few will understand what you did and take a chance on you.

kasanovakarl · #9 01-25-2009, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tplyons

It's something I want to do one day, is to get my MBA, however, I'm tossing the idea around of doing it sooner rather than later, especially if this job market doesn't pick up. I'll graduate in May with a B.A. in Business Management. I'm worried about employment, as every lead I've had has pretty much ended in "we're still laying off people and we don't know when hiring will pick back up, but we'll keep your resumé on file."

How were the GMAT's? What Business School did you go to? Did you do the traditional two year program, accelerated, or part time? Do you feel it bettered your career? Would you recommend it?

Any advice?

I'll be graduating with my MBA in August.

I am going to highly suggest you get some real work experience first. You will get a lot more out of it after working for a while versus just going straight into it out of undergrad.

Just because you have an MBA does not guarantee you better job opportunities with no work experience, or better pay. Most companies don't like MBA students with no work experience because a lot of them have an entitlement or elitist attitude that they don't want to deal with, coupled with the fact that they expect such higher pay rates, were most companies will find that the quality of their work does not meet their pay expectations.

There is currently a rush on graduate degrees because of the job market, and a lot of kids (I'm using that term loosely...I'm only 29) who can't find the job they feel they "deserve"

so they are going to get their MBA. Don't be afraid to take a job, especially in this market, that may be below what you've considered in the past. A lot of MBA programs require you to work for a few years before you can get into the program.

I would suggest this, take your GMAT sometime in the near future since the academia world is still fresh in your mind. It is significantly more difficult if you spend a few years away and try and take the GMAT cold turkey.

Visirale · #10 01-25-2009, 10:37 AM

Just from the research that I've done:

If you just want an MBA and you don't really care about the national recognition of the diploma, then just go to whatever school you can get into now.

If you want a diploma from a school that will get you into the door at more places in different locations, most upper end MBA programs prefer for you to work for a few years in a "real world" job.

In most cases the former one works out fine, but in a more saturated job market, you never know.

tplyons · #11 01-25-2009, 03:00 PM

I'm already expecting to get paid about $10,000 less than I feel I'm worth based on the previous job market. Therefore, I'm also expecting to move back home and live with my parents for a couple years. They're happy about it, and so am I.

I'm definitely considering taking my GMAT after college, so the option is open. I know someone in admissions at Fairleigh Dickinson University here in town that offers a part time MBA in Marketing.