Is Getting an MBA a Waste of Time? | 5 Alternatives to an MBA | Real-World Business Education

[MarcusGarvey]

Make sure you get it from a reputable school. Weigh the pros/cons of financing it with debt. Instead of getting of an MBA, maybe do a professional designation (CPA, CFA) it'll be cheaper but requires self study. In the end, it's a grind no matter what you do. From the schooling I did, it taught me how to think and tackle a problem more than anything, I don't remember the tax shield of cap-ex formula but it taught me to consider the tax benefits of things. To each their own

More than anything start a side hustle, that extra $500, $1,000 goes a long way, maybe you get to the point where it's bringing in 5-10k

 

[jniam]

It really depends on your career goals. If you are looking to get into an already established firm in Finance, Tech, Consulting, Consumer Goods (Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Credit Suisse, The Citadel, Google, Coca Cola etc) then MBAs will help push your name to the top of the pile for that comfy, 6 figure office job. However, if you intend on starting your own firm/become a leader in an industry/run a global corporation, there are other ways of getting there. MBAs still will help with the management aspect of it. There are some good cases to be learned.

However, like someone said. Not all MBAs are the same. Honestly, anything out of the top 20 so (Harvard Business to Emory Business (Goizueta)) idk if its as worth it. Also a big part of the MBA is about Networking and Brand name recognition. Harvard for example has so many alums all over the world in top positions and gives its students access to that information. It's pretty powerful.

 

[Peace_79]

More than anything start a side hustle, that extra $500, $1,000 goes a long way, maybe you get to the point where it's bringing in 5-10k

GOATed.

Recently, I have been very interested in adding another income stream for the very reasons you mentioned.

Do any of you have some common avenues or tips for adding some additional discretionary income to your cash flow.

 

[MarcusGarvey]

More than anything start a side hustle, that extra $500, $1,000 goes a long way, maybe you get to the point where it's bringing in 5-10k

GOATed.

Recently, I have been very interested in adding another income stream for the very reasons you mentioned.

Do any of you have some common avenues or tips for adding some additional discretionary income to your cash flow.

Notary Public, pretty easy to do, maybe you'll need a lawyer to co-sign your app.

 

[T. Sanford]

my kinda thread. Everybody dropping knowledge in here

 

[killap]

As someone with a Master's, I'd advise anyone against getting a MBA fresh out of school, intern/work your way up, see how business works then after a couple years see if a MBA is right for you... There's no job out there seeking someone with a MBA and 0 years experience.

 

[Koltrain]

I've been thinking about getting a Master's.. but I don't want to take on anymore student loan debt, especially at 6-7% interest. In the 5 years I've worked in the Corporate world, I've worked with so many people with MBA's who lose out on promotions to someone who plays a better political game. I'm seeing this more and more as I work my way up.

I think the only way I'll do it is if my company pays for it. Other than that, I don't know if it's worth it for me. I'm working towards having a side hustle/business and taking very specific courses for real life skills I want to acquire or improve on. I don't knock anybody for pursuing it though..

 

[EmM HoLLa.]

I've been thinking about getting a Master's.. but I don't want to take on anymore student loan debt, especially at 6-7% interest. In the 5 years I've worked in the Corporate world, I've worked with so many people with MBA's who lose out on promotions to someone who plays a better political game. I'm seeing this more and more as I work my way up.

I think the only way I'll do it is if my company pays for it. Other than that, I don't know if it's worth it for me. I'm working towards having a side hustle/business and taking very specific courses for real life skills I want to acquire or improve on. I don't knock anybody for pursuing it though..

Just to play Devils Advocate.. One shouldn't expect to climb the corporate ladder in one company especially with all the politics... You have to stay at a company for 2-3 years then bounce to a higher position in another company... You'll move up faster and get more money by doing it that way.. You can move up in one company but for me I've found that bouncing around worked better...

 

[Koltrain]

I've been thinking about getting a Master's.. but I don't want to take on anymore student loan debt, especially at 6-7% interest. In the 5 years I've worked in the Corporate world, I've worked with so many people with MBA's who lose out on promotions to someone who plays a better political game. I'm seeing this more and more as I work my way up.

I think the only way I'll do it is if my company pays for it. Other than that, I don't know if it's worth it for me. I'm working towards having a side hustle/business and taking very specific courses for real life skills I want to acquire or improve on. I don't knock anybody for pursuing it though..

Just to play Devils Advocate.. One shouldn't expect to climb the corporate ladder in one company especially with all the politics... You have to stay at a company for 2-3 years then bounce to a higher position in another company... You'll move up faster and get more money by doing it that way.. You can move up in one company but for me I've found that bouncing around worked better...

That's a good point. Something else to think about.

 

[Manc]

I got my MBA at 23 through an athletic scholarship. So I fell under the category of those with an MBA and no work experience. Being a full time graduate student was a cake walk and I couldn't imagine working while doing it looking back now I play probably wouldn't have gotten it later on in life either. It just fell under the nice to have category but didn't hold any real weight.

If I had to pay for my MBA I would've been 40k in debt and would be landing the same entry level positions as people with their bachelors. My lack of post secondary debt allowed me to intern with a start up and gain the experience that way. What the other posters are stating is correct if a company feels you need a certain education/training they will pay for you to get it. In all the interviews I had that was one of the things Id inquire about. I made sure I would ask if they had a tuition reimbursement or something along those lines.

A couple years later I ended up going back to college for a specialization in supply chain management. The MBA essentially reduced the tuition cost to about 1500 thanks to my advanced standings in the courses. That 8 month program had me receiving plenty of offers while I was completing it. I ultimately ended up landing a new position in a large pharmaceutical company managing their supply chain. I would recommend a program like that before doing a MBA especially for the people that have under 5 years experience. I believe specializations carry far more weight.

My plan right now is to get my experience up at this company and as they continue to grow hopefully leverage the fact I'm a minority with a MBA into a managerial position a couple years down the line which is where I find it becomes applicable and carries that weight on the resume.

 

[NothingButTheTruth]

I got my MBA at 23 through an athletic scholarship. So I fell under the category of those with an MBA and no work experience. Being a full time graduate student was a cake walk and I couldn't imagine working while doing it looking back now I play probably wouldn't have gotten it later on in life either. It just fell under the nice to have category but didn't hold any real weight.

If I had to pay for my MBA I would've been 40k in debt and would be landing the same entry level positions as people with their bachelors. My lack of post secondary debt allowed me to intern with a start up and gain the experience that way. What the other posters are stating is correct if a company feels you need a certain education/training they will pay for you to get it. In all the interviews I had that was one of the things Id inquire about. I made sure I would ask if they had a tuition reimbursement or something along those lines.

A couple years later I ended up going back to college for a specialization in supply chain management. The MBA essentially reduced the tuition cost to about 1500 thanks to my advanced standings in the courses. That 8 month program had me receiving plenty of offers while I was completing it. I ultimately ended up landing a new position in a large pharmaceutical company managing their supply chain. I would recommend a program like that before doing a MBA especially for the people that have under 5 years experience. I believe specializations carry far more weight.

My plan right now is to get my experience up at this company and as they continue to grow hopefully leverage the fact I'm a minority with a MBA into a managerial position a couple years down the line which is where I find it becomes applicable and carries that weight on the resume.

1. Don't bank on it lol. If anything, the opposite will happen. You will get passed by someone far less qualified due to their racism. Like the other poster said, once you feel your experience is where it should be, bounce to another company and come in as a manager, more money that way. But, I'm just talking in general, maybe you have a hold on all of the corporate politics and what not, so it may work out for you.

2. We're the majority on this planet, just the minority in the US.

 

[Manc]

I got my MBA at 23 through an athletic scholarship. So I fell under the category of those with an MBA and no work experience. Being a full time graduate student was a cake walk and I couldn't imagine working while doing it looking back now I play probably wouldn't have gotten it later on in life either. It just fell under the nice to have category but didn't hold any real weight.

If I had to pay for my MBA I would've been 40k in debt and would be landing the same entry level positions as people with their bachelors. My lack of post secondary debt allowed me to intern with a start up and gain the experience that way. What the other posters are stating is correct if a company feels you need a certain education/training they will pay for you to get it. In all the interviews I had that was one of the things Id inquire about. I made sure I would ask if they had a tuition reimbursement or something along those lines.

A couple years later I ended up going back to college for a specialization in supply chain management. The MBA essentially reduced the tuition cost to about 1500 thanks to my advanced standings in the courses. That 8 month program had me receiving plenty of offers while I was completing it. I ultimately ended up landing a new position in a large pharmaceutical company managing their supply chain. I would recommend a program like that before doing a MBA especially for the people that have under 5 years experience. I believe specializations carry far more weight.

My plan right now is to get my experience up at this company and as they continue to grow hopefully leverage the fact I'm a minority with a MBA into a managerial position a couple years down the line which is where I find it becomes applicable and carries that weight on the resume.

1. Don't bank on it lol. If anything, the opposite will happen. You will get passed by someone far less qualified due to their racism. Like the other poster said, once you feel your experience is where it should be, bounce to another company and come in as a manager, more money that way. But, I'm just talking in general, maybe you have a hold on all of the corporate politics and what not, so it may work out for you.

2. We're the majority on this planet, just the minority in the US.

I live in Toronto which is a diverse place and I'm not banking on anything I've paid my dues and yes I've had those experiences while I was working in Atlanta where my supervisor was under qualified and such. So I'd agree with your point about bouncing if stuff doesn't work out but I've learned those office politics first hand.

 

[Cleveland7venty6]

i know a dude 29 who shares the same birth parents as i, got a mba, and works with his hands doing lightweight labor. and he has all the sense in the world, single, no kids, paid off car, crib, so, I dont know. he refuses to work with me for more pay and a better more pleasant work enviorment, meaning, beautiful black women everywhere in an office setting.

to each its one teach one.

 

[thegreatunknown]

Depends where you get it from and what the concentration will be.