To MBA or not to MBA? Switching from SWE
Hi, I'm L4 @ Google (PhD from MIT + 1 Yoe). Interested in either (1) starting my own company, (2) jumping into management track (and moving away from sit-behind-the-pc-to-code-everyday). I'm considering getting an MBA in a couple of years (from top 3 schools). Is it worth it in long-term? Does it significantly boost my accumulated TC (e.g., over ten years)? TC = 250K
Just start the company! You will be managing something you love and care about more than anything.
Both are great. 2 if you want stability, otherwise nothing as exciting as 1.
It can. Depends on how risk adverse you are since businesses fail often. I recommend reading the 10 Day MBA. It’ll give you a good idea of what you’ll learn in business school. Take a look at Mba jobs and leadership dev programs and see if those gigs are what you want to do. If it’s not, start your company and learn all you can about running a startup, doing marketing, etc. you can always get a cofounder with an MBA. I launched a company, it failed, I went and got my MBA. If I ever want to leave Tech, it is helpful. Your alumni network/brand is what will definitely add value if you go to a top 3.
On a second thought, you can directly apply for management consulting at MBB.
How can we do that? I am in FB working as DS. Really interested to know about this option
Skip MBA, start a company and you will learn business along the way. If you really want MBA experience then go as specialist to MBB, sweat out 2 years and then start you company.
If end goal is to start a company; start a company. If the end goal is management at larger company, then maybe the MBA can accelerate that happening (but you likely don't _need_ one)
Will be hard to get into a top MBA. Why MBA after PhD? MBA programs care a lot about such motivation. Starting a company isn’t a good answer.
Skip MBA, don't be a degree collector.
you don't need that many degrees...
Don’t. If you want to start a company, start a company.