Do you think having a MBA helps or hurts in todays market?

SGT Larry Prentice — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 08:19:09 -0400

Please explain your position on this.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Oct 22 at 2015 8:21 AM

SCPO David Lockwood — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 08:21:17 -0400

It's competitive! Every little bit helps!

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Oct 22 at 2015 8:22 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 08:22:57 -0400

I think MBAs are the latest in "buzz degrees". Not to say that they aren't worth the effort it takes to obtain this degree but it seems lately that everyone and their mother has a MBA. So in saying that, it could hurt your chances simply based on the number of others with a MBA.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Oct 22 at 2015 8:28 AM

PO1 John Miller — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 08:28:54 -0400

I think it's a bit of overkill myself. I don't see what an MBA offers that one can't get out of a Bachelor's or even an Associate's in Business.
Also, I'm sure there are plenty of successful business owners who do not have an MBA. Hell, Bill Gates of Microsoft fame doesn't even have a Bachelor's Degree having dropped out of Harvard during his Sophomore year.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 8:29 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 08:29:01 -0400

I think the University you obtain it from says more about the MBA than the actual MBA itself imo. If you attend a top tier "B" school - the alumni network and job placement resources are huge. If you just go get a MBA from a lower tier "B" school - their networks may not be as established or connected and like SGT Ben Keen said, you'll just be a number with the other applicants with a MBA.

That's my take on MBAs - in short, I absolutely believe they are worth it if you attended the right school.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 8:44 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 08:44:23 -0400

I am in engineering field ... so MBA worth nothing if only you want to be in management field. For engineering? a PE licensing is far more important than a MBA or even a master degree in engineering.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 8:47 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 08:47:51 -0400

I earned my MBA back in 2011, and although I would say it doesn't necessarily help, it doesn't hurt either. I disagree with some on here when we speak of the differences between a bachelor and masters degree as being null. The differences are monumental, and benefits exponential. What I will say is that much of what you learn can typically be derived from a similar 600 series course through a graduate certificate. Much of this is in fact the core of that same masters program anyway.

A masters degree benefit? Many higher listed GS positions and civilian managerial positions won't even look your way if not for a graduate level degree.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 22 at 2015 9:00 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 09:00:45 -0400

I'd generally lean towards "It can't hurt" because you don't have to tell anyone your educational background. I used to work with a gun dealer who had a physics degree. It didn't hurt him. That didn't mean it helped him either. Not in any real (financial) sense.

But more education/knowledge is almost always better. It helps you understand what is going on, or more specifically why things are being done.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 9:34 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 09:34:48 -0400

Hi, Sergeant Prentice.

When I finished my undergrad, I was in the market for a new job. But while my ability to put 5.56mm NATO ball ammo on a human-sized target is impressive, it didn’t translate very well to a resume. So I started my MBA.

At one time, a Master’s program was more for professionals that had been in the industry for a while. Hence, students learned as much from their peers as they did from the class. Now, in a market replete with Bachelor’s degrees, people are beginning their Masters sooner as a way to stand out. It becomes the Bachelor’s degree you needed a Bachelor’s degree to get.

That’s pretty critical of me. My MBA had a specialization in Project Management. While the core PM classes were very interesting and worthwhile, the periphery prerequisite courses were no harder or in-depth than anything I did as an undergrad. It comes down to what you do with it after you get it.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 22 at 2015 9:40 AM

SPC David S. — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 09:40:17 -0400

Assuming the degree fits with the position, when applying for a competitive job yes.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 22 at 2015 9:47 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 09:47:04 -0400

An MBA is a must for some jobs in today's markets..because of so much competition or so many applying for so few good paying jobs in the Tech Industry in Silicon Valley East and West....

Response by SGT Dillon Townsel made Oct 22 at 2015 10:21 AM

SGT Dillon Townsel — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 10:21:58 -0400

I considered an MBA and looked around at the various options in Chicago (there's no shortage of excellent business schools here). Ultimately, I decided to pursue a Master's in Integrated Marketing Communications at Northwestern University (Medill) since I felt it would be more relevant to my career goals. While I couldn't personally justify an MBA over a more specialized graduate degree, I definitely think either would give you an advantage over other candidates. And...if the G.I. Bill is paying for it, why wouldn't you go for it?!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2015 1:06 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Oct 2015 13:06:03 -0400

It seems to be an unspoken requirement for a lot of higher level management positions, but is treated like a natural part of career progression, rather than the requirement to get a job. It may set you apart from other candidates (all other factors being equal of course) and is great for personal development and networking. That being said, depending on your field, career track, and experience it may be worth only the paper you print it on and the frame you put it in if you go to a lower-tier business school. Higher tier schools tend to be much better about internships, job placement, and networking; and those are a large chunk of the value of MBA attainment.

I finished an MBA years ago, but work in IT security as a contractor because that's where the money is, and there was no clear MBA -> exempt level career path I could find post-graduation.

Response by SR Dj Dodson made Oct 30 at 2015 12:37 AM

SR Dj Dodson — Fri, 30 Oct 2015 00:37:11 -0400

I earned an MBA from a top 10 program. I learned things there (especially math concepts that spring from calculus and optimization programming solving thousands of simultaneous derivatives) - things I never considered before as the problems these tools solve are complex constructs that take a team of specialists (the Core Professors) working together to convey.
Another advantage of advanced degrees in business - I met a lot of fascinating people - both as peers and industry leaders.
Now, can an advanced degree hurt? Yes, if it intimidates those who must supervise you in your field of choice - or if your employer of choice feels you are over-educated and that you might not stick around long enough to be a good investment for them. (e.g. guild apprenticeships, CPA, etc.)
Also, if you are trying to only get more money - VERY FEW MBA's ever make more money than that money they give up in time and the cost of the degree. It is the first problem my Finance professor gave each member of the class: Is the net present value of your MBA positive?
Going into debt, quitting a job, delaying career advancement for a couple of years - these things represent a huge mortgage on the asset of your life - especially if wife and kids are in the equation
You really have to be in it for improving yourself and gaining knowledge and meeting people.
If you cannot put real personal value on these concepts - you will likely resent the investment.
The "ideas" you can pick up in online courses - free from Stanford and Harvard.
The networks and experiences in team-work you gain in the classroom are more difficult to duplicate - but the costs can be huge.

Response by SPC John Canning made Dec 1 at 2015 10:18 AM

SPC John Canning — Tue, 01 Dec 2015 10:18:03 -0500

First and foremost the MBA gives you a deeper understanding in what is happening in the world. The overall strength of the degree will come from your ability to articulate your value to an employer. It also strengthens your ability to open your own business too. As in anything in life there are no guarantees.

Response by Andrew Keady made Jun 26 at 2017 2:43 AM

Andrew Keady — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 02:43:47 -0400

As with any degree it depends on what your end goal. School can matter but not necessarily. There has been a trend to pick the most qualified individual regardless of school. Also if you are not looking for a job but rather want to move up the corporate ladder than it is unnecessary to pick the top tier expensive school. A good school coupled with a good gpa should show your employer that you mean business. There has been a lot of people in Academia stating that there is an over saturation of MBA holders. However, more education should not hurt your chances at getting a job on the contrary. But again we arrive at the question: what is your end game? That will decide if an MBA is right for you.