To MBA or Not to MBA
By teamrose
@teamrose (1492)
United States
June 1, 2012 7:27am CST
Recently I have been tossing around ideas of getting another degree (have MS Geology, BS Geology, BA Communications). I like going to school so its 90% for career progression 10% for fun, and my company will pick up ~6000$ of tuition. For a while I was thinking about something in computer technology i.e. programming, networking, security.... but after really thinking about it those would probably get me pretty pigeon holed as a "worker" for the rest of my career, although they would be more fun. I see myself as moving up a corporate ladder at some point, but since I have been only working for 6 years I'm kind of worried that an MBA will make me "overqualified" to do the technical jobs that I need to make me knowledgeable enough to be in upper management positions. Anyone have any advice about this?
2 responses
@JER616 (545)
• Philippines
1 Jun 12
If you're only dillema is being overqualified once you get a masteral degree, I suggest that you go with the post-graduate course of your liking. Just don't mention taking it in your resume when you apply for a job. Include it in your resume once you need it sometime in your career.
@teamrose (1492)
• United States
1 Jun 12
Like anything else I expect to get out of it what I put into it. Pretty sure an MBA in finance is a little more daunting than an MBA say in marketing if you are not mathematically orientated. Likewise if you stammer and stutter in front of a large crowd and do not "think on your feet", marketing might not be best for you. Also a degree mill for profit or small private school may not hold a higher standard for simple financial reasons.
I found in school that my most beneficial classes were often something I was mediocre or pathetic at before the class. The easy A classes in my area of expertise contributed less in rounding me out.
Spouse has an MBA acquired on the job piece by piece. He never got the title to go with it, but got the responsibility and a good share of the salary. Pretty certain men are still promoted more rapidly and paid more than women at least in companies around here.
@bounce58 (17380)
• Canada
14 Jun 12
You should go and take that MBA!
I too like going to school. I've been working for more than 15 years, and when I took some Management courses a few years back, I found that I enjoyed it. I found that the learning came to me easily, without stressing too much about studying.
Unfortunately, I had to stop because I've had other family obligations, and I couldn't really find the time.
But if you do have the time, and if your company is picking up some of the tab, then I suggest that you go ahead.
