Is it worth it to go for my MBA? Did anyone do it and find out they didn't really need it?

2015-05-21T12:55:28-04:00

So I'm almost done with my B.S. In Business Management. I'm trying to decide if I should start looking a job now, or if I should be planning to go for my MBA when I'm finished. I have enough of my GI Bill left that it should cover it, but is it worth it to wait another couple of years to start looking for employment. What does everyone think? I'm very interested in your opinion.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made May 21 at 2015 12:58 PM

2015-05-21T12:58:25-04:00

I think it really depends on the field you are going into SPC Chad Kolod.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 21 at 2015 1:01 PM

2015-05-21T13:01:35-04:00

SPC Chad Kolod You can use advanced search tools here on RP to target this question directly to people who have MBAs if you like.

I'm planning to pursue mine personally.

I do have a friend who is a financial analyst (he was at BlackRock for a while) and told me he wished he had simply studied and tested for his Chartered Financial Analyst certification instead of taking the time and energy to complete an MBA, but if you are more interested in a generalized Business education it sure seems like a good path to me (obviously).

Response by PO2 Brad Colonna made May 21 at 2015 1:03 PM

2015-05-21T13:03:23-04:00

SPC Chad Kolod,

I would go for the MBA. I have mine and it has opened up many doors that otherwise would not be open. I also recommend going to a traditional school (i.e., one that requires the GMAT).

Response by SPC Chad Kolod made May 21 at 2015 1:03 PM

2015-05-21T13:03:47-04:00

Thanks for the response!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 1:15 PM

2015-05-21T13:15:38-04:00

I'm just getting started on a Master of Science in Management with a focus on Acquisition Management... it's online with the University of Management and Technology. The point is, it's possible to start work and still continue your education.

Response by CPT Bob Moore made May 21 at 2015 1:18 PM

2015-05-21T13:18:44-04:00

I have my MBA and it was definitely worth it for me. However, I worked and went to grad school full time for a year and a half. I was also well into my career when I got my MBA.

This is my advice:

1. Know why you want to get your MBA and tailor your electives to that purpose. For example, I am in the IT field, so I made sure that my electives fit in the IT world. If you want to go into Financial Management, make sure your electives make you more attractive to those types of employers.

2. Understand that a combination of experience and education is what most employers look for beyond entry level jobs. It may be more effective to get a job and go to school part time for your career advancement. But if you have GI Bill Money left and it makes more financial sense, go ahead and get the MBA now. You may not find the motivation to go back to school once you start getting a full time paycheck.

3. Find the right school for you and one that matches your career goals. If the school you are attending for your BS is working for you, no need to look elsewhere.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 1:26 PM

2015-05-21T13:26:31-04:00

I'd say consider talking with those within that field, reading what experts in the field say, reading comparison charts weighing positions to level of degree, and looking into certifications. I've been told many times by IT experts that a Bachelors is enough if supplemented with appropriate certifications.

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made May 21 at 2015 1:28 PM

2015-05-21T13:28:07-04:00

If you intend to get a job, go for MBA. Bachelors degrees are a dime a dozen these days. If you want to start your own business, then it depends on how much you know about what you want to do.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made May 21 at 2015 1:31 PM

2015-05-21T13:31:39-04:00

In my business experience, the BS won't get the same traction the MBA gets. MBA is a pretty common degree so what would set you apart from the others out there? Consider a graduate concentration in finance as you indicated that may interest you.

All that said, don't put too much stock in my advice as I've been much more oriented to the technical, science, etc. degree side which has much more specialization. I chose not to get an MBA in favor of doing a MS in Systems Management. That was oriented towards industrial processes and technology development. Nowadays the systems term got hijacked for IT stuff. USC ditched that short version an now calls it MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 1:31 PM

2015-05-21T13:31:48-04:00

I'm just about to finish up my MBA in about 4 weeks from UNC and it's one of the best decisions I've ever made. But two caveats: 1. your school matters if you want the best opportunities. An MBA won't give you an edge of you go to a For profit or unknown school. 2. The best schools require professional experience. I suggest work for 3-5 years and then get your MBA. And trust me, you need the experience to keep up.

Response by SPC David S. made May 21 at 2015 1:45 PM

2015-05-21T13:45:08-04:00

I think it is important to understand your personal and professional goals - is an MBA required to get you where you want to be. For me yes both personal and professional reasons lead me to getting an MBA - I got a 10% raise just for my degree. I also run with what I consider a highbrow crowd - Phd's, MD's, JD's, MBA's and other smarty pants type individuals. Not saying I don't do lowbrow its just something I noticed. It might be more applicable in your case to get your feet wet and to get a job and explore opportunities as well get some experience under your belt. I think this will help you in outlining a career path and how an MBA might be part of that plan. However if you know what you want to do and it requires and MBA suck it up and get it done now. Just make sure you're focused and committed.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 2:13 PM

2015-05-21T14:13:36-04:00

How long will your MBA take beyond your B.S.? Most schools that grant a 4-year business degree will allow you to continue for one more year to complete an MBA. If this is the case, go for it. It is much easier to keep going now than to try later when you may have a job or other circumstances you cannot easily disengage from. I would highly suggest knocking it all out at once. You may not need it to get a job, but it may become a discriminating factor for future promotion. There was an article on Yahoo today about a significant increase in hiring of recent graduates with MBAs. Might be something to look at.

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made May 21 at 2015 2:28 PM

2015-05-21T14:28:31-04:00

It depends on what you need by "need." I think it helped me get my current civilian position. Do I "use" it on a daily basis? Nope. Has it made me generally see the bigger picture? I think so.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 2:51 PM

2015-05-21T14:51:31-04:00

I believe it is important, but can't stress enough the importance of choosing a credible university that has recognition. I know several MAA graduates who have degrees are not getting the 'return on investment' that they were expecting. Personally, I am half way through my MBA from Texas A&M-Commerce and the classes are extremely challenging, but I appreciate the knowledge. I recommend that you carefully choose your field of study or concentration and time your degree completion with your entry into the civilian market. As a NCO, I've chosen a field (supervisory and development) to align my military experience with my degree and try to find jobs in the Army that correlate and/or translate easily to that field. Best of luck.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 2:59 PM

2015-05-21T14:59:14-04:00

I had a troop that had completed his MBA before joining the military. He joined almost a year after completing his degree because he was unable to find a job with it. I cannot say that an MBA is completely useless, though definitely a tough job market to get into. Getting some experience would probably be your best option, even if you do while working on the degree. An MBA and no experience is going to be very difficult.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2015 4:19 PM

2015-05-21T16:19:08-04:00

I completed my MBA while earning a commission through ROTC. I was fortunate to earn a 2 year scholarship that paid 100% tuition. If you can find scholarships or grants that will offset the high cost of grad school definitely go for it. Otherwise, get some experience in the private sector and go part-time. Many fortune 500 companies have tuition reimbursement programs, so that may be a viable option. Your military background will provide a unique prospective in class discussions. Good luck

Response by SSG Henry Chan made May 21 at 2015 4:28 PM

2015-05-21T16:28:43-04:00

I will agree with a lot of the advice you have received. Most private sector jobs will care about where you earned your MBA. Also look at location when you do decide to go. If the program is near the industries you want, you can gain valuable experience through internships and coops through the school's relationships with the companies.

Gaining some industry experience can help you get into a better program, but it can also give you an idea if that's what you really want to do. Getting an MBA with a focus in accounting, but realizing you hate accounting afterwards isn't a good investment.

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made May 21 at 2015 5:41 PM

2015-05-21T17:41:45-04:00

Don't really use my MBA in my job, but it usually adds value to my resume. a couple of things:
1) provide a competitive advantage (Maybe) what I mean is you can compete for a positions that require graduate education and in other positions, the higher education may give up the edge. So why I said maybe-the hiring manager may only have a bachelors and see you as a threat to their job.
2) its a good negotiating point and argument that you're worth more than the next person
3) Whether its with worth it is based on what you want to do with it. For me, the personal development I got out of the program was worth it. If you plan on starting a business, it may be worth it.
4) if you thinking of doing it for higher salary potential, warning! it may not worth out that way. Have another reason in mind or you may be disappointed

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 21 at 2015 6:31 PM

2015-05-21T18:31:24-04:00

Consider doing both: work and complete the advanced degree. Working in a field you like and hopefully develop a passion for will help you decide the type of advanced degree to get. Depending on the path you want to take a Masters in marketing, IT, project management, or human resource management may serve you better than an MBA.

Additionally your employer may be willing to pay all or part of the cost of the degree.

Response by SSG Brian Kresge made May 22 at 2015 6:27 AM

2015-05-22T06:27:48-04:00

I finished an MBA program in 2006. Its relevance to your career is a big giant "it depends." Strength of the program, the field you work in, etc. etc.

I'm an IT Manager in charge of very aggressive software dev at a startup in the insurance industry. Up until this point, I rued not pursuing an MIS instead. The generalist nature of an MBA has really been meaningful, as I've transitioned from writing software for discreet manufacturers and some of the healthcare exchanges to almost a pure focus on actuarial sciences. More specific management programs can pigeonhole your career. The MBA really positioned me to help bring value, especially in the realms of non-specific process improvement. At least I think it did...the company I worked for at the time also paid for Six Sigma Green and Black Belts. But then I've always been a theory of constraints sort of guy, anyway. I digress.

I've noticed others urging delay - I don't. Tuition rates are sure to increase. With your military background and an MBA (from a decent program), you're not in the same boat as the hordes of kids with no practical application background from a hiring perspective. There is little reason to cost yourself more by waiting a few years. Another possibility is an online program (Capella's is good) or an accelerated executive MBA program. If you feel like you're going to hear "overqualified," there's absolutely no harm in omitting it from your resume to get in the door.

Response by SGT Mark Sullivan made May 22 at 2015 11:51 AM

2015-05-22T11:51:12-04:00

I've always looked at education from a perspective of stepping stones, each grade, each degree, opening other opportunities that might not have been open previously. Not to mention, some professions, it's usually best to have an MBA. It certainly would not hurt to have this.

Response by MSG Morgan Fiszel, CPCM, CFCM made May 27 at 2015 12:21 PM

2015-05-27T12:21:34-04:00

It is a requirement for many upper level positions. What degrees do you have versus your competitors?

Response by Sgt Cody Dumont made May 27 at 2015 12:19 PM

2015-05-27T12:19:10-04:00

An MS is a good check in the box, but it must be balanced with experience.

Response by SPC Maurice Dawson, D.Sc. made May 27 at 2015 12:53 PM

2015-05-27T12:53:08-04:00

I'm a professor with the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL) and former Fulbright Scholar:Specialist to South Ural State University in Chelyabinsk, Russia. I have a MBA, MS, and Doctor of Computer Science (DCS). I would highly recommend getting a MBA to differentiate yourself from a person with a bachelors. Now in all honesty I would get a Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA) if you wish to be an execute. Try to get a masters in a specialized field such a Business Intelligence (BI) or cybersecurity. MBA was created a generalist degree for those without undergraduates in business. Take a look at http://www.usnews.com/education/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/articles/2012/02/17/amidst-mba-inflation-executives-recommend-business-doctorates which discusses MBA inflation among executives.

Dr. Maurice Dawson

Response by SPC Chad Kolod made May 27 at 2015 1:55 PM

2015-05-27T13:55:46-04:00

I really appreciate all of the feedback! Thanks to all who have contributed!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2015 12:09 PM

2015-06-01T12:09:00-04:00

Hi Doug,

It really depends on what you're planning to do long term. Keep in mind, entering the workforce and later returning to education it a huge undertaking by most people. This is not to include unforeseen events that might occur through this period of time. Maybe you buy a house? Maybe wedding bells ring? Unexpected children? My point is that life happens. If you have the intestinal fortitude, I would say follow through with a master's degree. ESPECIALLY if it's cover by rest of your educational costs or close to. The dividends will certainly pay you big.

My two cents

SGT Foster
(I also work for veteran and military at Northeastern University)

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 9:44 PM

2015-06-02T21:44:23-04:00

I had my BS when I left active duty. I got my MBA after on the GI Bill, which paid for it all. I immediately got a better job after graduation, boosting my income by $9,000 annually. In the interview, I was asked several questions I wouldn't have known how to answer but for the MBA. The job I have now Required a Masters at a minimum, and boosted my pay another $10k a year. So yes, it landed me better jobs. Note that I work in Non-profit, and we traditionally earn $20k less than our for-profit counterparts. So there is more potential, depending on industry. Also, I agree with others-find a concentration. For my electives, I took non-profit management courses. You can direct your MBA toward the industry you want to land in that way.

Response by SPC Chad Kolod made Jun 5 at 2015 1:06 PM

2015-06-05T13:06:38-04:00

I am now thinking I will go with a minor in Human Resources on my way to finishing my B.S. In Business management

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 10 at 2015 1:58 PM

2015-06-10T13:58:52-04:00

Look now don't delay