Women in TechJul 29, 2019
IntelcWIU36

Is a MBA from a mid tier school worth it?

TL;DR at the bottom. Is an MBA from an average school worth it? How much could it increase my salary, and will it make a difference if I graduate from a top tier school? Here is my dilemma: Im a product manager at a large tech company, with a non-traditional background. I have the chance to go to a mid tier university near home to do a part time MBA. I have already been accepted into the program, and am set to begin in a couple of months, I just dont know if I want to go through with it. Here's why:  1. I don't know what I want to do with the rest of my life. I enjoy program management, product management. I could see myself managing people too, as I already have some experience. I definitely want to stay in tech. However, I don't know that i'm interested in moving into a director or C Suite position. 2. The school is not teaching anything super special that makes me want to go there. Work is paying for it, I live nearby, I knew I'd be accepted - those are my reasons for choosing it. 3. I'm ready to move back closer to my family. Right now I'm many states away. Ideally, I could move back where they are. 4. If I wait, I can spend some time thinking about what I want to do, and make a more informed decision in terms of school. What would you do? Go to the mid tier school that is down the street, application already done? Or make your way back to family, spend more time exploring what I want to do and apply for a higher ranked school? TL;DR: I have a chance to go to a mid tier school now, near my home, that work will pay for. How much will an MBA increase my salary, and will it make a bigger difference if I go to a top tier school vs mid tier? Also is there any point to getting an MBA if I'm not yet sure whether or not I want to be a Director or in the C suite?

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Cisco HR-Angel1 Jul 29, 2019

TLDR - if you’re in the bay it might hurt you more than help.. anywhere else - go for it

Oath Atinlay2 Jul 29, 2019

Found one!

Oath puSc85 Jul 29, 2019

Any mba is worth only peanuts

Uber whutta Jul 29, 2019

Apply for higher ranked school

JLL UOmv08 Jul 29, 2019

Do a top 10. It’ll open WAY more doors. I held out for a top ten and it created a ton of opportunities for me. I was a non traditional student, also

Amazon CeoExtra Jul 29, 2019

Can you give some examples of the doors opened? What’s your current TC (total annual compensation) like?

Backcountry.com quanthole Aug 5, 2019

I respectfully disagree. I've trained and worked with many MBAs, and regardless of where they obtained theirs from, all were mediocre employees at best. It was rare that I witnessed one that had a grasp on how business actually functioned and many had very little common sense.

Amazon ofbsyckeba Jul 29, 2019

Which school?

New
SHWP00 Jul 30, 2019

I know too many MBAs to have any respect for the degree. Every poor manager I’ve ever had held an MBA, and the best managers/upper management I’ve met discount anyone who has one with no other advanced degree.

Backcountry.com quanthole Aug 5, 2019

100% my experience with them as well

Intel .tc Aug 10, 2019

What rank is it (10-15, 15-20, 20+ ?) Top 15 is solid, top 20 depends, otherwise not really worth it

Renovate America vEqP32 Aug 12, 2019

In my experience it’s only valuable for getting a job when you have less experience. If you have experience I’m not sure it’s worth it to get an MBA. Either way if you’re not excited by the program i wouldn’t do it now. What’s the rush? I’d wait for a program that is exciting and feels good before moving forward.

Backcountry.com xmxry13 Sep 12, 2019

Taking on debt for any institutionalized "education" is a scam. If you can't afford an elite school don't do it.