MBA?

[BMAN]

I didn’t see a thread so I’m starting this one. Does anyone have an MBA and was it worth it? I’m 32 working for a certain utility company in the area that reimburses $5,250 per year and I’m a supply chain analyst. I’ve pretty much been set on it and talked to my now retired manager earlier this year and she thought it would be a good idea if I wanted to climb the ranks past a manager.

Is there much of a difference going to say, Ohio State and a Bowling Green or Kent? OSU is significantly more money, but they have the name brand and alumni. Should I just stick with getting more experience? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Deezus]

I don't have an MBA but I did get a network engineering Masters straight out of undergrad. It has been immensely helpful to me in getting promotions and jobs over similarly qualified candidates. I have several friends with MBA's and none of them have regretted it... all are doing quite well career-wise. As for OSU vs MAC schools, I just know that OSU has a nationally recognized pedigree and is known as an extremely good program... but I can't necessarily say whether the additional cost is worth it (I'd tend to guess that it is, if you can afford it without stretching things too much).

Good luck!

 

[BMAN]

I don't have an MBA but I did get a network engineering Masters straight out of undergrad. It has been immensely helpful to me in getting promotions and jobs over similarly qualified candidates. I have several friends with MBA's and none of them have regretted it... all are doing quite well career-wise. As for OSU vs MAC schools, I just know that OSU has a nationally recognized pedigree and is known as an extremely good program... but I can't necessarily say whether the additional cost is worth it (I'd tend to guess that it is, if you can afford it without stretching things too much).

Good luck!

Appreciate it! I’ve got a late start to my career I feel like. I was in the union with my company for the first 7 years and moved into my current role about a year and a half ago. I’m also just earning my undergraduate and graduate after this semester. I’m not sure if that matters though.

 

[FiveThous]

There was a study done a couple years back stating unless you went to a top 10 program or had it completely paid for by your company, it was not worth it from an ROI standpoint.

I’m in recruitment and the only thing it helps with when talking to hiring managers is cutting down years of experience, generally speaking.

If you do want one just do it with one of those cheap online programs and save yourself thousands.

 

[Out of the Rafters at the Q]

I don't think the name on the degree matters whatsoever.

However, the better programs do offer you better connections--and that's what matters.

If I were in your position, I'd roll the dice on Ohio State

 

[jjvors]

Ten years into my IT career, I went back to college and got an MBA from Bradley University. My company Caterpillar paid for it. I think it helped my career. I got two promotions after I got it.

It definitely helps my retirement. I'm running my own self-publishing author business.

 

[Deezus]

Ten years into my IT career, I went back to college and got an MBA from Bradley University. My company Caterpillar paid for it. I think it helped my career. I got two promotions after I got it.

It definitely helps my retirement. I'm running my own self-publishing author business.

I used to have Caterpillar as a customer when I was with Zscaler! I wonder if our paths ever crossed...

 

[jmuxl]

I have one, definitely opened doors for me. Although I feel like it's not as common in the Tech world, as it was when I was working in Manufacturing. I feel like I was given management responsibilities much earlier than my peers without one. Agreed with @FiveThous, if you're not paying for it I think it's worth it (it was for me).

I went through JCU, but would have been fine going to Case, Kent, or CSU. I preferred case, but the start date of the program vs. when I was eligible for tuition reimbursement would have required me to wait an additional year to start. JCU was just fine, and had a pretty strong alumni network allowing me to get into the tech field I'm in today.

 

[BMAN]

I appreciate everyone’s feedback, I’ve got some thinking to do.

 

[SalvadoranCavsfan]

I was finishing my MBA when I found a higher paying job managing logistics for a big medical company.

So while I didn't have it I definitely think me being nearly completed was helpful in getting me the interview. I went from making 60k as a supervisor for logistics to 6 figures as a manager.

I also got my MBA from Bowling Green since you can focus a bit more on supply chain. The knowledge is also valuable too.

 

[Chris]

Yes. I used mine to pivot from customer service to data analytics. It was 100000% worth it in that regard.

Your circumstance is different though. I did tons of research before I took the plunge and almost universally found that where you get your mba from really isnt super important. Unless you’re trying to climb up to the C suite or something. I’m sure someone will disagree though.

 

[inliner311]

So I know a couple people who went to top tier full time MBA programs but they were all in finance and they basically said it wasn't worth it. The time away just didn't translate to a better job, their peer moved up in their companies and they were just offered the same job they had before. Apparently tech startups though were the ones that were interested in top tier MBA grads but that meant less pay for the big gamble of the stock option if they succeeded. Some went that route.

Also if you have done a business degree in undergrad, MBA programs are suppose to be real easy.

 

[CleveRocks]

I never saw value in MBA per se. But get a masters in a more specific field and it definitely helps.. something like accounting, ao finance

 

[jjvors]

I used to have Caterpillar as a customer when I was with Zscaler! I wonder if our paths ever crossed...

I worked there from 1988 to 2015. I was in purchasing from 2010-2012. What sort of vendor was Zscaler? Caterpillar was notorious for very aggressive negotiations with its vendors.

 

[Expensive Jet]

I didn’t see a thread so I’m starting this one. Does anyone have an MBA and was it worth it? I’m 32 working for a certain utility company in the area that reimburses $5,250 per year and I’m a supply chain analyst. I’ve pretty much been set on it and talked to my now retired manager earlier this year and she thought it would be a good idea if I wanted to climb the ranks past a manager.

Is there much of a difference going to say, Ohio State and a Bowling Green or Kent? OSU is significantly more money, but they have the name brand and alumni. Should I just stick with getting more experience? Any advice would be appreciated.

I also work for a certain local utility company and am currently working on finishing my bachelors in business management through Bowling Green so I will be following this!

I’ve spoken with several managers/directors who all seemed to agree that, at least with this company (which I plan on being with for the foreseeable future, not sure if you are as well), the name of the school is much less important than completing the actual program.

Good luck!!