Apple Software Engineer considering MBA
I’ve been in SWE@Apple in Cupertino for 5.5 years and now considering doing an MBA to move into a business role (product management in tech). As much as I am passionate about product(previously founded a failed startup), I’m realizing I lack the skills to really be a strong business leader. What are good part-time/online programs that I should consider if I want to keep my fulltime job whole doing my MBA? Dropping out to pursue a 2 year full-time MBA is not an option. I also don’t think I could afford a top Ivy League school tutition right now. What are general thoughts on top 50 MBA’s from CSU, UC Davis and the likes? Ideally this MBA leads me to a Product role at FAANG. tc: $260k #mba #software #engineer #bayarea #berekely #stanford #product #productmanagement
I second the Berkeley recommendation. I did my MBA Part-time on the east coast at a top urban school while working full-time. Haas will surround you with similar engineer types and it’s a well respected MBA nationally. And you’ll make easy friends for study groups in other disciplines because you work at Apple.
Firstly, it's great that you recognize your development opportunities. While I also think an MBA would be helpful, I would highly recommend finding a leadership role (even part time project) at Apple. And finally, coming to MBA, I would highly recommend a full time MBA considering the stronger network you would build. So strategy: Year 1+2: leadership role + MBA prep + save for MBA Year 3+4: MBA at ideally a Top10 school full time Year 5 onwards: Profit
This may work for some but when you have a top MBA program in your backyard like Berkeley, the calculus isn’t so straightforward. The MBA Sign On Bonus isn’t going to make up for the lost equity vesting at Apple. And once you’re a few years removed from bschool, your alumni network is the same so graduates from Berkeley part-time program are the same as the full-time. Going from engineering to product or even marketing isn’t the same career jump that engineering to investment banking or consulting would be. Those latter career changes make way more sense to break free from your current job and immerse oneself in learning new concepts AND networking. There may be an even cheaper way to solve the OP’s objectives and that is taking courses at Product School.
Thank you McSwaggins for the advice! Can you give me examples of what you mean by leadership roles? Do you mean Project management roles as a next step for a software engineer? I attempted to make the jump into product management from engineering within Apple (since I had startup founder experience) but I quickly learned that teams are not willing to make a bet on someone that doesn’t have formal Product experience. I do like this path of pursing a leadership role, saving and then going full time MBA, but what types of roles would I be able to pursue post-MBA that allow me to profit and catchup for the loss in Apple salary and equity? Let’s assume I’m open to other roles than Product Management.
If you are in the Bay area, Berkeley has a good part time MBA. You will find a lot of bay area engineers doing their MBA from Berkeley. If you are willing to travel, the other good program is Chicago Booth.
Berkeley, is the way to go . If you have a family / other commitments , traveling to Booth for the MBA will just drain you and might not be worth it . For product management if you can take ownership of products/ programs , you can grow into those roles internally . You don’t absolutely need a MBa for those roles .
I really like the idea of going to Berkeley. Sounds like a great option tbh. Thank you!