is an MBA for a PM-T worth it or really needed for FAANG/upward mobility. current TC: 145K 5 YOE NYC currently at small company upward mobility seemingly available, but have always wanted to work for FAANG or more traditional tech company which often has an MBA as a preferred qualification. bombed a google interview a few months back and wasnt chosen after 4 interviews with Elastic - have since been rejected prior to interview at FB, AMZ, Mongo, and Cockroach. at current TC and presumed ability to grow TC, is an MBA a sunken cost?
I think it differs based on company. Here’s my understanding of what companies prefer to see in product managers. Google = prefer CS, former engineers with 5+ yoe in PM Amazon & FB = prefer MBAs Microsoft (Pgm) & Apple (epm) = prefer CS/engineering background. A ton of companies, if not most, just want to see relevant experience. Today that’s building, launching and iterating on consumer or enterprise products with quantifiable results. Sounds like you might not be selling yourself appropriately on your resume? Recruiters spend very little time reviewing resumes. Skip the ATS and get a referral. Try the following framework. Improved X metric from Y to Z by doing W.
I think you really need to focus on crushing the interviews. Even if you get the MBA you are still going to need to pass the interview process.
Not worth it
Yes if top tier MBA, no if not
NYU would be target - would need to start in APC program due to low undergrad GPA
Hate to say it, but personally think NYU is questionable. Know several people with NYU MBAs...the jobs they get are really varied. Could be worth it, but would say it’s a toss up