Is MBA worth it?
HW folks, I currently have 5-6 years experience in Program Management/Quality in Semiconductor industry and thinking of doing an MBA to get into operations leadership roles and also to switch industry probably. Not sure how HW industry will shape up in next 10 years and what kind of jobs would be available - maybe consumer electronics is the only and next big thing for hardware: Facebook Oculus, Apple, Tesla, Fitbit, Amazon Lab126. I've been trying to get into consumer electronics industry but until now no luck! Do not want to leave current job so part-time MBA at Haas is only option, I guess? Other options? Please share your thoughts how an MBA might help in getting into operations leadership role outside semiconductor industry. Thanks.
MBAs might not have a good reputation among engineers, but I've seen lots of people who have gotten hired by the companies that you've mentioned, especially Amazon.
make sure you go to a company that has an MBA career path. some companies will hire you but you'll never really have anywhere to go. but honestly. after seeing what the SW guys make, why slum it with the MBAs. their salaries make me weep.
It all depends on what you make of the mba. It's not a free meal ticket. I've see engineers turned mba become very successful and others that end up in the same spot pre-mba (back to engineering).
I think generalizing MBA's has gone too far here in the valley. There are good PM's and team leads that come from Business school backgrounds. In general, not a lot of relevant insight but I've worked with some stellar technical Product/Product managers in my career.
And a part time Haas option isn't so bad. I actually know a handful of people that have done it, or are a part of it now. It's weird in the sense that you miss out in the stronger networking opportunities an MBA provides, but it does open some doors career-wise. Personally if I were to do an MBA, I'll jump in both feet.
The main reason I started this post was because 1. I've been job hunting since new year and trying to move from Lam Research to consumer electronics (I see this as the future of hardware) but no luck until now. The reason being they want really really specific background in same field. 2. I was thinking MBA kinda gives you key to generalize your choice of companies and career opportunities not restricting you to few HW companies, in my case only AMAT and Lam. Thoughts?
I have recently gotten my MBA n honestly, you will still need someone to initially give you a shot at management for u to gain the benefits of your MBA.
Not sure what you mean? How was your MBA experience - which school and how was the peer group?
I work in strategy/market development where 80% of new hires have Mbas from top 15 b schools. Honestly I have to say after few years, everyone wants to move to a particular business line cuz that's when you starts to "run" a product, until then, you are just an internal consultant. Not sure if that's the case for other companies.
duMBAss... Sounds like a good idea. Just do it!
No need for mba unless from HBS or Wharton (strong brand
Engineers hate MBAs. You might as well wear a badge saying "I hate hands on, I'm too good for this shit. So long suckers!"