Comments on MBAs Still Make Sense Today (If Done for the Right Reasons and in the Right Way)TypePad2007-11-20T16:15:00ZNAhttps://www.freemoneyfinance.com/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://www.freemoneyfinance.com/2007/11/mbas-still-make/comments/atom.xml/homoeconomicus.ca commented on 'MBAs Still Make Sense Today (If Done for the Right Reasons and in the Right Way)'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e200e54f94462a88332007-12-03T05:19:21Z2008-08-29T12:14:44Zhomoeconomicus.cahttp://www.homoeconomicus.caIn my experience the MBA may get you the opportunities but ultimately performance keeps the pay high and keeps you...<p>In my experience the MBA may get you the opportunities but ultimately performance keeps the pay high and keeps you employed. I've seen MBAs that just want 9 to 5 employment and don't put in much "extra" and they stagnate while type A's concentrate their efforts on delivering more value for their employers by learning more after hours and staying to get the job done. Consequently, those who deliver more value move up the ladder. This is true everywhere. You can learn how to learn, you may even be super smart, but many people haven't learned how to work or haven't found jobs that motivate them.</p>
<p>Also, I've seen a number of people with essentially no experience take an MBA program only to go virtually nowhere with it afterwards. Experience is very important. I've seen a number of low experience MBAs have a hard time adapting to the world of work. MBA programs should really be for people with experience.</p>
<p>My MBA is from a mid-ranked Australian university and I've had no troubles translating that into higher pay. The amount spent on the degree was recuperated in the first full year of work.</p>
<p>One other thought... Interpersonal skills and teamwork... although some MBA programs encourage teamwork, some don't. What I've seen post-MBA is that it's not the smartest person or the person with the most letters after their name that can get the job done but someone with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work within a team to get something done. It's almost a cliche stereotype now... but it has a fair bit of validity.</p>Brip Blap commented on 'MBAs Still Make Sense Today (If Done for the Right Reasons and in the Right Way)'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e200e54fa21ae988342007-11-27T03:42:24Z2007-11-27T03:42:24ZBrip Blaphttp://www.bripblap.comI agree with Penelope 99% of the time, but the comment on top-tier versus other schools has been completely wrong...<p>I agree with Penelope 99% of the time, but the comment on top-tier versus other schools has been completely wrong in my own experience. I see people flailing in their careers with Ivy MBAs and succeeding with state university MBAs. Getting an Ivy degree only guarantees one thing: big time student debt. Other than that, it's the individual who makes it. Honestly, the fact that I achieved an MBA is all most employers have ever cared about, not which school it came from. I've done just fine with an MBA from a state university. It's just that MBAs are getting watered down in general because now it's the rule rather than the exception to get one.</p>Terrence commented on 'MBAs Still Make Sense Today (If Done for the Right Reasons and in the Right Way)'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e200e54fa0c5db88342007-11-25T07:45:39Z2007-11-25T07:45:39ZTerrencehttp://www.doublejourney.comI had contemplated going to a top-tier MBA program. I have the background for it and did well on the...<p>I had contemplated going to a top-tier MBA program. I have the background for it and did well on the GMATs, but in the end decided it wasn't for me. I actually make more money than a lot of my friends with MBAs, but more importantly I like my job and couldn't see myself taking two years off and actually being further ahead in the end.</p>
<p>But in the end, getting an MBA is a very personal decision. For some it's right, for others it isn't. I already had the pedigree of going to an Ivy League school and working at big name companies, but for others who need to gain an edge or really do need the education, it can be a fantastic choice. </p>Mike commented on 'MBAs Still Make Sense Today (If Done for the Right Reasons and in the Right Way)'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e200e54f8a23e888332007-11-20T21:58:52Z2007-11-20T21:58:52ZMike http://www.myfinanceandaccountingblog.comI think to get the full benefit from a "top" MBA school you need at least three years of experience...<p>I think to get the full benefit from a "top" MBA school you need at least three years of experience in the real-world before applying for your MBA. There are some things that higher education simply cannot teach you, and there is some academic knowledge that you simply cannot get from the real-world! I 100% agree with your statement, "I recommend that instead of picking a school and hoping to get a job at graduation, you instead think of what you want to do and where you want to work -- and do this BEFORE you decide on an MBA school" - this is very important. Each MBA school provides a different value to your future career, and you should know what you think you want to "be" upon graduation. But if you don't know, that is ok too. Great blog and great post.</p>plonkee commented on 'MBAs Still Make Sense Today (If Done for the Right Reasons and in the Right Way)'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e200e54f89e54588332007-11-20T19:36:28Z2008-08-29T12:11:08Zplonkeehttp://www.plonkee.comFrom what I've seen of people at work with MBAs, it certainly seems to be something that you need the...<p>From what I've seen of people at work with MBAs, it certainly seems to be something that you need the polish of a few years work experience to truly benefit from. On the other hand, it's fair to say that there are other ways than actual paid employment that you can gain that polish.</p>
<p>Actually, I think that going to night school instead might be good advice, if you can hack the pace. Two years outside the workforce without a salary and racking up debt is a downer on your finances. If you can start applying the stuff you are learning in your day job, you could do really, really well out of the experience.</p>Free From Broke commented on 'MBAs Still Make Sense Today (If Done for the Right Reasons and in the Right Way)'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e200e54f89b7f788332007-11-20T17:27:23Z2008-08-29T06:35:25ZFree From Brokehttp://www.freefrombroke.com/I'm currently attending college for my undergraduate degree with an eye towards an MBA. I plan to go to my...<p>I'm currently attending college for my undergraduate degree with an eye towards an MBA. I plan to go to my local city school so I don't rack up debt. Though I want a good job after I think the great value will be in exercising my mind. This will be what keeps a good job and make it better! Thanks for the article!</p>Curtis commented on 'MBAs Still Make Sense Today (If Done for the Right Reasons and in the Right Way)'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d83451bcbd69e200e54f9d6b6a88342007-11-20T17:02:33Z2008-08-27T12:07:01ZCurtishttp://realworldfinances.blogspot.comI agree with you. I had some people in my MBA program that really makes an MBA seem worthless. But,...<p>I agree with you. I had some people in my MBA program that really makes an MBA seem worthless. But, you don't have to go to a "top school" to get a benefit. I didn't want to work at a big investment bank in NYC or Consulting firm in Chicago. I used my MBA to hone my own business skills and make me more marketable right here. It's definitely been a benefit. </p>
<p>As a matter of fact, my pay has essentially doubled in the 2 years since I finished my degree. Granted, that wasn't entirely due to having an MBA, but it sure helps get you in for that face to face interview.</p>