Are MBA degrees worth it?

[D Town Redd]

Do you think it's a good idea to "ride out the recession" by going to MBA school/getting in an MBA program? It's one thing to prepare for MBA school with skills enhancement--it's another thing entirely to have FAT PAYING jobs waiting for you when you get out.

What yall think?

 

[enterthedragon]

Well, it all depends.

First, figure out what type of job/industry you want to be in and decide if an MBA is critical for that field.

If currently employed, find out if an MBA will guarantee a promotion and upward mobility. Many companies have created their own internal education system to promote and keep their “star” performers. But, it is critical to learn if an MBA will lead to a promotion, especially since this degree can cost from $45,000 - $150,000 depending on the school.

If you enroll in an MBA, you will be challenged with tons of assignments and quantitative analysis (statistics, accounting, finances). However, remember that as you move up the corporate ladder that it is about your ability to “manage and motivate” people and less on your skills. As a fact, the higher up on the ladder the less you apply your own technical skills. To illustrate, a CEO is about setting vision, mission and dealing with investors and board members.

So, as you embark on your MBA career, keep people in the forefront. Use team work and team projects as a way for you to practice managing and influencing people and less on “getting your point” across. Ultimately, the power of influence along with an MBA could lead to great success.

Gods speed.

 

[D Town Redd]

Good post,dragon.

Here's some points that come to mind based on your reply

1) Good point but almost all fields (unless its the military or some other organization)welcome advanced management graduate degrees--whether to move up or to get in to another company

2) Good point re current employment. As for the funds for MBA, there are many scholarships/grants and working programs (ie., your company pays for some or all of your mba studies)

3) Excellent point. To step up to these, brush up on the skills for MBA school mentioned in the article as well as take as many management training courses offered by your company or do some volunteer work.

Great feedback all around, bruh.

 

[D Town Redd]

Explore your career and educational options. It's 2009 and the beginning of a new era. Get a good new start.

 

[phillyphilly]

Well, it all depends.

First, figure out what type of job/industry you want to be in and decide if an MBA is critical for that field.

If currently employed, find out if an MBA will guarantee a promotion and upward mobility. Many companies have created their own internal education system to promote and keep their “star” performers. But, it is critical to learn if an MBA will lead to a promotion, especially since this degree can cost from $45,000 - $150,000 depending on the school.

If you enroll in an MBA, you will be challenged with tons of assignments and quantitative analysis (statistics, accounting, finances). However, remember that as you move up the corporate ladder that it is about your ability to “manage and motivate” people and less on your skills. As a fact, the higher up on the ladder the less you apply your own technical skills. To illustrate, a CEO is about setting vision, mission and dealing with investors and board members.

So, as you embark on your MBA career, keep people in the forefront. Use team work and team projects as a way for you to practice managing and influencing people and less on “getting your point” across. Ultimately, the power of influence along with an MBA could lead to great success.

Gods speed.

Enterthedragon-

You are right on point.

I am an educator, and my stance is to always pursue your education. So, Are MBA degrees worth it? ...

Yes. It is never a waste of time.

2 cents

 

[MadAfrikan]

yeah bro. a master's degree is almost always worth the effort. you typically make more money after getting the degree. an MA/MBA/MS/ETC will typically pay for itself within 5 years (assuming you make avg salary in your profession).

go for it unless you have other long term options that will pay you more.

MA

 

[Joe Money]

What's more valuable, an MBA or a J.D.?

 

[Tchalla]

It is also important where you get your MBA from. Realistically, a Stanford, Berkeley or Harvard MBA will blow a University of Phoenix MBA out of the water.

 

[coolnmellow]

An MBA in this day and era of competition is very much worth the effort. It will set you apart from most of the field and can pay you extreme dividend over the course of your life.

 

[D Town Redd]

Enterthedragon-

You are right on point.

I am an educator, and my stance is to always pursue your education. So, Are MBA degrees worth it? ...

Yes. It is never a waste of time.

2 cents

I agree with ya, Philly. One can never get too much education. There's no such thing as too much education.

 

[SickMyDuck]

Damn...I was just kicking around the idea of going back to school to get my MBA. Y'all make some intersting points...I'm about 70% there.

 

[revenge]

Enterthedragon-

You are right on point.

I am an educator, and my stance is to always pursue your education. So, Are MBA degrees worth it? ...

Yes. It is never a waste of time.

2 cents

What are your thoughts on a Law Degree?

 

[penetrator]

I am looking to get into an MBA program because my job requires it for in order to move up the next two level of my career; plus I don't have to pay for it.

Personally, I can't stand school or the school system currently in application.

The most basic things I find usefull to increase work productitity are things that I did not have to attend college to learn.

 

[Cruise]

Let's see, is an MBA a worthwhile degree?

The only President with an MBA ran the country's economy into the ground.

The MBAs at the banks ran their companies out of business.

The MBAs at the Big 3 ran their companies into the hands of the government.

The MBAs in New York created some of the greatest fraud civilization has ever known.

The rise of the MBA occurred around the same time as the rise of the military-industrial complex, the inflationary dollar, and the debt society.

If the MBA is not the best sign of incompetence of American business management, nothing is.

 

[d_the_inc]

Checkmate...although I would say if the goal is move into a Sr. Leadership Role, and pursue entrepreneurship then a MBA is the path one may consider taking. Outside of that, someone hit on this point earlier..your ability to influence and motivate( Leadership) will take you places beyond the degree.

Let's see, is an MBA a worthwhile degree?

The only President with an MBA ran the country's economy into the ground.

The MBAs at the banks ran their companies out of business.

The MBAs at the Big 3 ran their companies into the hands of the government.

The MBAs in New York created some of the greatest fraud civilization has ever known.

The rise of the MBA occurred around the same time as the rise of the military-industrial complex, the inflationary dollar, and the debt society.

If the MBA is not the best sign of incompetence of American business management, nothing is.

 

[THREAD_CRITIC]

yes

 

[D Town Redd]

yes

The key is always moving up. Looking to reinvest in ourselves.

 

[histick]

I agree with both the positive and negative points already posted. There are many routes to better and higher paying jobs like a JD, CPA (and other accounting certs), high end IT certs, etc.

Think about what you may learn and experience in a program, and if that is something you need (the skills are definitely helpful but the degree itself might not amount to anything). Bottom line is anything you can stack your resume with helps.

 

[innercityatl]

I'm optimistic about the value of furthering your education but I'm realistic about its return on investment after obtaining the Masters degree. Inevitably it should pay off in assisting you in getting a better paying position or a promotion. Unfortunately there is no guarantee of when this will happen.

Project Management is one of the hottest fields in around. I decided to go back and get my Masters Degree In Project Management from Keller Graduate School (Devry). They got me a gig at AT&T in QA but I haven't been able to find anything in PM. Everyone wants real world experience. Eventually I think that something will come along that's more commensurate with my degree but until then SallieMae wants her money. She gets paid when I get paid if you feel me. By the way I'm in the ATL...might have to relocate. This goes back to the point that I was making there was value of furthering my education but how much ROI have I gotten and there aren't many schools that offer a Masters In Project Management. Next, I'm gonna get my PMP. Hopefully that will help.

Peace!!!

 

[fourth_retired]

I think the common misconception about attaining an MBA is that people think they will get a better job off the bat jumping into an MBA from undergrad with out experience. I see so many people just doing an MBA to do it to have a title but in all reality it isn't adding value to you. I think with experience first somebody can appreciate what an MBA program will offer alot more then somebody with little to no experience.

 

[phillyphilly]

What are your thoughts on a Law Degree?

If that is what you desire to pursue. I would go for it. What type of law do you want to focus on?

 

[jagu]

Law degrees are fine. Just be prepared for the loan. In addition, the way to think about it is as an entrepreneur. The poor lawyers are the ones who just think they are here to help people. You have to combine it.

Go to any school you want but be prepared to practice on your own if you don't go to a top tier law school , and that is fine too.

 

[doggish_098]

Enterthedragon-

You are right on point.

I am an educator, and my stance is to always pursue your education. So, Are MBA degrees worth it? ...

Yes. It is never a waste of time.

2 cents

it depends on how you look at it. If you get the mba then find a job in that field making good money from that degree than fine. If you get the mba then work a job where the job requirements are no where near your skill set than no it is now worth it.

 

[phillyphilly]

Law degrees are fine. Just be prepared for the loan. In addition, the way to think about it is as an entrepreneur. The poor lawyers are the ones who just think they are here to help people. You have to combine it.

Go to any school you want but be prepared to practice on your own if you don't go to a top tier law school , and that is fine too.

Jagu is correct. I would not pay an arm and leg just the go to a certain school. Just make sure you know your stuff-backwards and forwards!

 

[doggish_098]

Jagu is correct. I would not pay an arm and leg just the go to a certain school. Just make sure you know your stuff-backwards and forwards!

i never understood why people would pay big bucks to go to big name colleges and pusue degrees in crazy stuff like liberal arts.

 

[jagu]

Jagu is correct. I would not pay an arm and leg just the go to a certain school. Just make sure you know your stuff-backwards and forwards!

I went to Texas Southern U., Thurgood Marshall Law and I am doing quite well. You just have to be business savvy and know your stuff.

 

[Pworld297]

My boy got one from Northwestern University and that nigga is making six figures a year...He travels a lot but he also works from home a lot, what's funny to me is that he is usually the only black and white people he works around with have no idea about his nigga side, they only see his professional side. That being said an MBA is a great thing to have.

 

[D Town Redd]

I think the common misconception about attaining an MBA is that people think they will get a better job off the bat jumping into an MBA from undergrad with out experience. I see so many people just doing an MBA to do it to have a title but in all reality it isn't adding value to you. I think with experience first somebody can appreciate what an MBA program will offer alot more then somebody with little to no experience.

I see your point but an MBA definitely improves a person's marketability in the job market. Of course, more business experience plus an MBA makes a candidate more attractive to employers. However, in some contexts, an MBA degree by itself also makes a candidate stand out.

 

[Capt. Cutty]

i'm in the process of pursuing my JD/MBA (joint degree program, another four years of school).

i'd say a JD would be more valuable because an MBA can be replaced with experience. . . . like, if you have worked for a few years and get that experience, it's almost the same as having that additional degree.

a JD, however, is more flexible. you can't really work to get that experience, and it's always good to have a working knowledge of the law if you plan to pursue a career in business.

thoughts?

 

[Mackavellian Nupe]

In my observation, if you have a JD and a CPA certificate, you are unstoppable.

 

[jagu]

In my observation, if you have a JD and a CPA certificate, you are unstoppable.

 

[newliberty123]

depends on your major, for teachers its a must

 

[Legacyns]

Let's see, is an MBA a worthwhile degree?

The only President with an MBA ran the country's economy into the ground.

The MBAs at the banks ran their companies out of business.

The MBAs at the Big 3 ran their companies into the hands of the government.

The MBAs in New York created some of the greatest fraud civilization has ever known.

The rise of the MBA occurred around the same time as the rise of the military-industrial complex, the inflationary dollar, and the debt society.

If the MBA is not the best sign of incompetence of American business management, nothing is.

This is the most ignorant, anti-intellectual, anti-education shyt ever. What about the all the MBAs of successful companies? You just gonna ignore that huh? BTW, president's alone can run the economy into the ground. The congress allocates the money for the national budget & in general the economy is more a function of business activity rather than fiscal policy. Not to mention obtaining an MBA doesn't ensure that you're gonna make every correct business decision no more than having a masters in education means you'll always use an effective method when teaching a subject or that a M.D. will always have the correct diagnosis or never make a mistake during a surgery.

However, having the knowledge is sure as hell a lot better than not having the knowledge.

 

[Cruise]

This is the most ignorant, anti-intellectual, anti-education shyt ever. What about the all the MBAs of successful companies? You just gonna ignore that huh? BTW, president's alone can run the economy into the ground. The congress allocates the money for the national budget & in general the economy is more a function of business activity rather than fiscal policy. Not to mention obtaining an MBA doesn't ensure that you're gonna make every correct business decision no more than having a masters in education means you'll always use an effective method when teaching a subject or that a M.D. will always have the correct diagnosis or never make a mistake during a surgery.

I know you feel strongly about this, but you don't learn business in a school.

If that isn't the most ass-backwards approach to learning, what is?

Think about it. I am going to a SCHOOL to learn how to do BUSINESS. That statement makes no sense.

The MBA is the most useless, pointless, waste of time. I despise MBAs and their sense of entitlement.

You go back to school to learn a skill (engineer, doctor/dentist, technology).

If you have too many doctors/engineers/technology wizards, you have a wealthy economy.

If you have too many MBAs, you have a wrecked economy.

I am anti-education and all the BS that goes with it. They don't tell you jacksquat useful in a school/college/university except to be a cog in the machine.

I am pro-information. But, information is a threat to the "education" industry.

The goal of the "education" industry is to make you a slave to the loan masters, a parrot of the government propaganda, a supporter of the status quo, and an advocate of the white-male orthodoxy.

However, having the knowledge is sure as hell a lot better than not having the knowledge.

Sometimes, it's better not to follow their script for what you should know.

 

[D Town Redd]

In my observation, if you have a JD and a CPA certificate, you are unstoppable.

That's a lethal combination so is a JD/MBA