Anyone with an MBA?

[Pekka]

So anyway, I have some questions. It turns out I might have an opportunity to get the real deal MBA, not some upper fixer make belief one. Of course not yet, I have to have X amount of work experience, but as far as I understood it, it's settled, the finances should be there when I'm eligible.

So, what kind of an experience it was for you, how long it took to actually get it and so forth? Any recommendations, using hindsight 20/20?

THis is still far ahead but it might be option so... if it becomes one, I'll definitely take it. And no, I don't have wishes to jump from possibly being CSO to other management, however, I have a big thing for knowledge and doing things the right way. That, plus it comes useful to me as I'm not going to be a CSO unless I have to. I think it could help me, if I'd set up my own shop. I have very little business skills, so ... I really need knowledge and skills, and yes, they don't give you skills and experience, however, ... you know what I mean. I NEED business side of things so I can actually integrate my stuff into certain goals and budget things properly as well as just have that kind of stuff in my head.

[LordShiva]

LOTM has one.

I'm planning to get one within the next few years.

[Kontiki]

I have one. Took two years. Tons of work, but had a great time. Would do it all over again in a second.

[Pekka]

Please, elaborate, both of you guys.

I'm not sure how much I need it. I only know that I need to KNOW business and management. I mean really know that stuff, not just read about it a little.

I'm not after the letters, it hardly helps me since I'm not shooting for being some kind of general management person.

[LordShiva]

I don't think an MBA is necessary to "know" business and management. I see it as a signaling and networking device more than a knowledge acquisition thing.

[Az]

planning to start one in two-three years.

[Kontiki]

Originally posted by LordShiva
I don't think an MBA is necessary to "know" business and management. I see it as a signaling and networking device more than a knowledge acquisition thing.

This is pretty much accurate. You can learn some incredibly valuable stuff depending on what you focus on, but the rather nebulous notion of "business and management" isn't something that you really learn from a textbook anyway.

[DAVOUT]

Originally posted by Kontiki

the rather nebulous notion of "business and management" isn't something that you really learn from a textbook anyway.

QFT

[MarkG]

as in all cases, getting a university degree when you're looking for knowledge is just a way to have a guide, a system (selected books, assignements, evaluation, etc) to use in order to get the knowledge you want. or you can do it yourself by well, reading books and stuff

[Pekka]

Yeah, but it's a helluva lot more difficulit to go to library, first of all the experts know what should be covered and so forth. Hey, you can learn anything, even space engineering from books. But it's recommended to have people with experience and knowledge about hte issue to guide you a bit.

[Lefty Scaevola]

Rather than an MBA, I recomend a law degree over an undergraduate business degree for a business career.

[Japher]

I'm starting mine up in January.

The first reason I opted to go is because I want to get into coporate management, not sure what area, field, or industry though. However, if I can stay in the pharma/biotech realm that would be nice. However, since I want to get into management I really need the three little letters. Yeah, I know a lot of people will say that you don't need one, but I find that to be, in more than 90% of the cases, false. So, while I might get very, very lucky and get an opportunity without one, my opportunities increase if I do have one. It shows commitment I guess.

The second reason I wanted one is because it teaches a lot of what I didn't learn in engineering school. Maybe I have learnt some of it since school and am already proficient. Still, I think knowing you have it and how to leverage are also important things to figure out. Additionally, I am sure there is a lot business side things I know nothing about that will help me to advance my career.

Finally, I want to network. Since I am thinking of switching industries this is something that is needed. Could I get it for cheaper at some club or something? Probably, but will those people be slated or aiming for the top in their careers? Who knows. At least in an MBA course I will know they are.

I will be taking classes for 4 hours twice a week, after work. It will take 20 months.

[Pekka]

Japher, exactly, you bring up a good point. People say letters don't matter. They're right but also wrong, they can help a bit. It's exactly what I thinka s well, it shows commitment. If someone has a PhD for example, it doesn't mean they're smart or even good at what they do. Maybe they aren't complete tools but it's just letters, but it does show that at least once in your life you did commit to something that wasn't necessarily a quick job or something very easy.

Just like if someone has a black belt in some martial art, you know, I don't think anything about it in terms of this person being able to smash others, but I do respect the person for the commitment, it takes a lot of it and that you can hold on to things and carry them out. This is not a trivial matter nor is it something that is common trait.

And YES I also want to network of course! And I want the letters too, they're the least important in it, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I wouldn't mind it at all, I'd prefer it actually. Put in the work I would.

But I won't be eligible to start for the next 3 years, might be 4, most likely 3 though. But I like to plan things ahead and get permission or rather support going for it, so when the time comes, I'm just starting it, not trying to apply and figure out where to get the money for it. I'm preparing everything so I can just go there and continue, maybe take the week off in between or something, be cause people need to relax once in every few years.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by Lefty Scaevola
Rather than an MBA, I recomend a law degree over an undergraduate business degree for a business career.

On the other hand, folks who have both an MBA and a JD are worth their weight in platinum.

[Saras]

I've seen good entrepreneurial guys turned into concept-spouting do-nothing robots after getting their MBA's...