Any MBAs here?

[TheIronStar]

What are your thoughts on them? Are they good in and of themselves?

I was considering going to school for business (I do programming in the financial services industry; not sure if I want to be in this at all anymore, but I do like the kind of money I'm earning), but I'm also reading that too much of the benefits of an MBA can be ascribed to alumni connections and selection effects and not to the professional education offered. How do I find out what the truth is?

[cdn2wheeler]

Depends on a lot of different factors. MBA programs, at least in Canada, are horrifically expensive. It also depends on the school. An MBA from, say, Harvard in the US or Western in Ontario is generally more sought-after than an MBA from Podunk U.

Best bet at this point is to simply talk to people where you work that have MBAs and get their input. One thing's for sure though: connections are almost everything.

[Sam988]

As cdn said, it depends on what you want to do with the MBA you get. Depends on your aspirations and goals.

[CStrunk]

Also, if you're in a good industry and a strong economy, the school should pay for itself. When I was working at an investment bank one summer, my manager had just graduated from a top tier school. Top MBAs get large sign on bonuses which can top $40-50k. Play your cards right, get into a good school, do well, and it may pay for itself.

[DarkSociologist]

I just started my second year in California (although I'm on exchange here in Austria right now).

From my experience, an MBA:

- provides you with a solid business foundation
- provides you with many opportunities (I got my internship with IBM through my school). My school often has industry leaders come and speak, there are several clubs to suit your interests, and there are also numerous competitions and individual businesses looking for you to apply your knowledge.
- provides you with connections. you make good friends.
- is a lot of fun. we get free beer every Thursday outside of class and go out as a group at least 2x a week.

The drawbacks are:

- You're paying money, instead of making money
- It takes a lot of time, which may detract from your short term goals
- If you're an experiential learner (where you like doing first and adjusting later), then you may get really anxious waiting to apply what you're learning.

Hope this helps some.

[jdub]

I'm undergrad business, and am still having the debate on whether or not to go for mba. What I have decided is I will not go for it unless I absolutely have to, if it is a requirement for a new job or something like that. Or if I will make a significant amount more money. And if I do get it, I plan on my job paying for it.
I don't see any reason to get one just to be able to say you have it. Unless you need it for a job, don't get it. It's a waste of money, unless your work pays for it instead of you