MBA or Career?

[Guaps]

Definitely get the MBA - but go get some work experience first.  I worked for 5 years before I went back.  I had a totally different take on what an education was by that time - I actually enjoyed going to class.  There's no way to really appreciate what's being taught without the experience of having worked and having personally had many of the problems they're trying to teach you to avoid.  Also, a lot of what I got from my MBA was from other students sharing experiences from their work histories. 

Definitely go work for a while, then go back...

[jclin]

If you don't do the MBA, definitely do the boobies.

[Buckethead]

Well, according to your poll results right now, people think you should probably get your MBA while you're still at it. They also think you should Boobies. I agree with both.

Personally, I'd say stick with the schooling while you're still at it. Educational inertia is a strong force. Educational static inertia, that is the tendency of an object not in the education system to remain outside the education system, can be devastating.

I got my accounting degree in '04. I didn't get into either of the MACC programs I applied for and decided I didn't really want an MBA at the time. I worked here and there doing everything from data entry to selling stocks and bonds. Now I'm in the Navy and since they're paying for it, I'm going back for the engineering degree I left half finished because accounting was easier.

All things being equal, would 2-5 years of full-time work experience make you more attractive to other MBA programs? Yes.
Would that time make your MBA studies more relevant? Probably.
Are you likely to end up going back to school once you stop? Probably not.

Would I go to work or get my MBA if I had it to do again? MBA, hands down.

[akmnstr]

Just had another comment.  I went back to graduate school when I was 40.  Even though it was in science, I was amazed how much
my real world experience helped me.  I was enrolled with very smart students and it was my life experience that allowed a dumb ass like
me to compete.  Having said that I had to give up just about everything in my life to do it.  I quite my secure government job including income, hardly ever saw my daughter, locked up everything I owned into a storage unit that I couldn't fit into an Isuzu pickup and drove off to school.  Given the choice I would rather have gone to grad school right after my BS.  I wouldn't have had those life experience to draw on and it would have been harder, but I could have been drawing on what I learned in school as I learned about the world outside of school.  I also wouldn't have had to make the huge sacrifices it took to get my MS.  So, I stand by my earlier advice to get your MBA now.   

[ducati_tim]

Get your MBA, but also look for internship opportunities that will give you better experience than the bike shop. I worked on several university projects during grad school that led to a better "real" job than my peers got right out of school. A lot of them pay really well, too. I was making $25/hour and living the good life!  :wine

[eltristo]

Have you considered dropping out and becoming a bacon farmer? 


Wrong thread?
 

[Buckethead]

Mmmm.... Bacon....



Maybe you should go for a Masters in Bacon Analysis?

You probably wouldn't live to see 40, but man would you live like a king until then.

[eltristo]

my apologies for getting the thread off topic, but look at what good came from it.  That is BACON!

[Mad Duc]

If you don't get a MBA from a top 50 B school then it is not very worthwhile. A top 25 B school degree will get you lots. If you are going to get and MBA do it now. Don't wait. Life can get in the way.

If UM isn't a top 50 school either go somewhere else for it or else read a ton of business books. Strategic management, Marketing, Finance/accounting. Don't like reading tons, stick to school. An MBA is a good "kick start" for business. It nets you about 10 years of experience. The advantage that the MBA is versus work experience is that you get a broad knowledge of nearly everything in business.

I don't mean to piss on the other business schools but if you are a smart person you'll learn a lot faster with books than at school. Don't be afraid to DYI your education. I did both routes and I am glad I did. Those letters after your name are worth a lot. A smart brain is worth more.

[Le Pirate]

stay in school


bike shops are fun!

[jagstang]

Mmmm.... Bacon....



Maybe you should go for a Masters in Bacon Analysis?

You probably wouldn't live to see 40, but man would you live like a king until then.

OMG that is some serious bacon.

[jclin]

I'm getting fat just looking at that bacon! 

[powerhammer]

Probably a totally different thing but the basic principle may apply...

I was asking myself and others if i should get an MFA in blacksmithing or just open a shop of my own and use the money spent on school for tools/equipment.  It all came down to the experience and the people you could meet outweighing the 3 years of sweatin bills and the next job and what town to start a shop in.  Oh well so i put all that off for 3 years and go make whatever i want but who knows what door may open.  Lucked out and got in this year (didn't last year)  to the only school in the U.S. that offers an MFA in blacksmithing/metals.

Go to school and enjoy it.