Comments on: Why Achieving an MBA is No Longer My Goal

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:23:19 +0000

Many people say the network you gain while getting your MBA can be jsut as valuable (or more valuable) than the MBA itself.

Learning principles is good, but I prefer the hands on experience.

By: Financial Samurai

Financial Samurai — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:11:20 +0000

You guys can also read “10 Day MBA” if you want to get all the download skinny in a couple days. I read the book and it’s pretty good.

I have to admit though… i do enjoy looking at my diploma hanging in my hallway every time I come upstairs at home, and thinking back on all the good times, hardships, and friendships created during that time period.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:53:43 +0000

Not all employers will foot the bill for a $30,000 education, but if yours will do it and you have the time and inclination to pursue an advanced degree, then it can certainly be worth it!

My current employer offers tuition reimbursement (enough to cover a decent, but not top tier MBA program). However, I don’t have the time or energy to pursue it at the moment. Nor do I feel like it will help me as much as I would want it to.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:51:33 +0000

Thanks for the comment, CarolinaHRGuy. The guy in the article is me, and for my situation, an MBA is no longer my goal. I desire to learn more and go through the personal challenge, but my life has changed in the last few years, and I know that an MBA is not necessary for me to achieve my goals.

And you’re right, the person you are referring to knew exactly what he needed to do to achieve his goals and he was motivated to do it. He is the kind of person every employer is looking for.

By: Financial Samurai

Financial Samurai — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 00:29:36 +0000

There’s really only one practical way to go, and that’s getting your MBA part-time and letting your employer pay for everything.

I was making about $250,000/yr at the time, and there was NO WAY I could give up that income. Instead, I went part-time to a good school and the employer paid the $30,000/yr tuition. In the meantime, I was promoted as well.

Don’t go full-time unless you’re absolutely sick of your job, have no job, or are super rich already!

My article is simply entitled “To MBA or Not To MBA”

By: CarolinaHRGuy

CarolinaHRGuy — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:07:25 +0000

Great points, but the truth is that we don’t have enough knowledge to make the call on if an MBA is right for this person. There are so many factors to consider, it comes down to personal choice and looking at what you want that degree to do for you. Maybe it’s strickly ROI through the paycheck, maybe it’s the passion for learning, advancement opportunities, heck, maybe it’s to be able to sustain life after college on loans until you can figure out what you want to do.

I’m a Regional HR Manager, and I will tell you that it’s not uncommon for hiring managers to seek out those with a Masters-level degree…that being said, I’ve rarely…actually never… seen anyone say, “we must have an MBA”. What I have seen in that Masters-level degree be what seperates candidate A from B. In many situations I believe it speaks to employers that you are serious about your field, and you have taken some sort of ownership in your own personal development.

Do you want to know what the most incredible response I’ve ever heard when I asked someone about why they pursued a MS degree?

It was a 32 year old Production Supervisor…he said something to the effect of…I’d like to be the best at what I do and I focused on my Masters degree at XXX university because I researched costs, accredidation and the program and found that it was the most cost effective way for me to gain that knowledge. I paid 13K start to finish, and now feel comfortable sitting in meetings with individuals 3-4 steps above me and holding my own.

Doesn’t that sound smart to you?

By: Bulldog Gin Co.

Bulldog Gin Co. — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:40:33 +0000

An online MBA will DEVALUE your creditials #1.

#2, always get your MBA part time so your employer pays for it.

By: Sandy

Sandy — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:50:09 +0000

Hi! If I had to do it over again I would never have gone to graduate school. Fully half of my debt is from the MBA and it has mail absolutely no impact on my pay. Of course the company that I work for is happy that I have one and used it in the hiring process, but like the first poster said, it hasn’t shown up in my paycheck. This is now 4 years out. So this means that I am now in deeper debt and there has been a negative return on investment if you count the interest that I’m paying on the loans.