The MBA Thread

[Bill Smith]

Kinda depends what you want to do with it. The fields requiring MBA's are shedding jobs at the moment.

I work in public relations and I have a BA in Political Science and History from University of Toronto and I am finishing up my night studes at Ryerson University across town in Public Relations to get the credential. If anything any more education will be for fun.

If you want to do finance and have the BBA/B.Comm or whatever they call the business undergrad degree in the USA, go for the CFA, it's a world wide recognized credential and not easy to get from what I am told.

 

[dshin]

Originally Posted by dshin

Congrats. I have been pondering about getting a MBA. I decided to apply to UofM Ross's evening/weekend program. This was in Aug. App deadline was 9/15. I took the 1st week off work to study for the GMAT and took it on 9/8. Wrote my essays, got my recomendations, transcripts, etc...and submitted my app on the last day. Had in interview in Oct. Decisions go out on 11/15 at exactly 12:01 AM.

And seriously your profile sounds just like mine. I had a terrible GPA...but it was in chemical engineering from UofM. Did decent on theGMAT (690) and 7+ yrs experience, last 4 in a management role.

Logged in to check on the decision! I'm in! Super excited right now!

 

[athletics]

Originally Posted by dshin

Logged in to check on the decision! I'm in! Super excited right now!

Awesome! Congratulations on getting in to Ross. The knowledge you will gain over the next few years will be an asset to your career.

 

[mkarim]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

I searched all open forums for the single title phrase "MBA" and there were none, surprisingly. So I thought I'd start. Many people here, especially on Mens Clothing seem to work in business, and I presume some of them went to business school.

Opinions on MBAs? Worth it? Waste of money? You liked the coke parties? Did you get your current job through MBA connections? Is it just to get higher-paying jobs or did it somehow land you your dream job?

Did you go to a top ranked school? Do you consider yourself money-centric (Andy Fastow FTW)? Did you go to a lower-ranked school, if so what was your experience?
I have my GMAT in the bag already, I am on the verge of starting about 5-6 applications.

An MBA is really what you make of it.

 

[Aaron]

I work around the 2010 Olympics and have been contemplating my "next step" after the Games are over. One of the holes in my skill set is experience in finance. I'm thinking about addressing this with an MBA, preferably in a program in the US, Europe or Asia.

Dumb question - are there any bursaries or scholarships aimed at MBA students? Does anyone have any experience using the financial aid packages at their MBA schools?

Thanks.

A

 

[the.chikor]

Went to law school after MBA. IMO, if you go to a top 10, yes, definately worth it. If not, only go if you know your field requires it for promotion.

 

[warmpi]

how do you make it through law school and not learn how to spell "definitely"

Aaron:
doing an MBA to learn finance? that's a bit overkill, especially when tuition is so expensive. generally, there are no scholarships/bursaries. but it might still be worth it depending on what your goals are.
the 2010 work experience might peak some interest in the admissions people. what exactly do you do?

 

[trajan]

Originally Posted by warmpi

how do you make it through law school and not learn how to spell "definitely"

It's simple (from Ahead of the Curve):
- number of MBA graduates in 1960: 5k
- number of MBA graduates in 2000: 100k

The bar is much lower now.

--trajan

 

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by warmpi

Aaron: doing an MBA to learn finance? that's a bit overkill, especially when tuition is so expensive. generally, there are no scholarships/bursaries. but it might still be worth it depending on what your goals are. the 2010 work experience might peak some interest in the admissions people. what exactly do you do?
I work for a non-profit that creates social and economic legacies around the Olympics. It's never been done before and I've brought into being an athlete sponsorship program that connects businesses with up-and-coming high performance athletes. Learning finance is part of my consideration for getting an MBA. My undergrad was in the history of business and sociology. I used to run a large student organization while at school and have picked up little pieces of accounting here or there, so I feel more training in finance and accounting is needed. I eventually want to run a large organization so building a network, learning finance and being exposed to international learning and work opportunities are top priorities for me.

 

[jurrigggg]

I have a question. I'm planning to get a few professional degrees such as the CFA, CAIA and probably FRM/PRM (at least I'll try & take the exams.. I'm not expecting a 100% passing rate of course). I have a BBA degree in finance. If let's say I managed to actually get those degrees, would an MBA still be worth it, or is it redundant? I've been arguing about this matter with my parent for some months now. Being an entrepeneur living in a country where degrees seem to be the only thing that matters, he wants me to take an MBA. Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by speedfreak

I have my bachelors degree in econ and will be graduating in April with my masters degree in econ. Plus, I'm starting with the Chartered Financial Analysts (CFA) program in december and will hopefully start working in Investment Banking then next summer. I don't think I would learn any new "business" related stuff since the MBA was, at least as far as I know, designed for people with degrees in physics, engineering and similar backgrounds. So, in essence two master degrees in economics and business doesn't really make much sense to me. I'd rather do a PhD after getting some work experience...
I'm taking the December exam as well. 3 weeks left and stressed out

 

[athletics]

Originally Posted by jurrigggg

I have a question. I'm planning to get a few professional degrees such as the CFA, CAIA and probably FRM/PRM (at least I'll try & take the exams.. I'm not expecting a 100% passing rate of course).

I have a BBA degree in finance. If let's say I managed to actually get those degrees, would an MBA still be worth it, or is it redundant?

I've been arguing about this matter with my parent for some months now. Being an entrepeneur living in a country where degrees seem to be the only thing that matters, he wants me to take an MBA. Any thoughts?



I'm taking the December exam as well. 3 weeks left and stressed out

I think the answer to your question depends on your current industry and your career path. I know some guys who got their CFA and it was all they needed because they stayed in their line of work, however one guy would like to do something else, but realizes he is only marketable in his current industry. An MBA can open doors for people on certain career paths.

Entrepreneurs need vision to succeed, but I think more business training can certainly accelerate ones future.

I do, however, believe that not all MBA's are created equal. You can get an MBA practically anywhere and my fears are the MBA is going to get watered down. The top 30 MBA schools still offer a tremendous and worthwhile education and will create more career opportunities for you.

 

[suited]

I was under the impression that it takes the average person 4 years to get their CFA... http://www.cfainstitute.org/cfaprog/...m/howlong.html

I would say a CPA or MBA would be more valuable than a CFA-at least more versatile. I'm debating on whether or not to start grad school this coming year, or just get my CPA instead, or both...

 

[Aaron]

Originally Posted by suited

I was under the impression that it takes the average person 4 years to get their CFA... http://www.cfainstitute.org/cfaprog/...m/howlong.html

I would say a CPA or MBA would be more valuable than a CFA-at least more versatile. I'm debating on whether or not to start grad school this coming year, or just get my CPA instead, or both...
A CFA is an extremely tough designation to attain. It's a mix of some pretty intense examinations (a friend of mine is taking his Level 2 exam and has an 8 page double sided formula sheet that he needs to memorize) with a few years of work experience (I think it's 3 or 4). Plus, they only pass a certain percentage of people at every exam.

I've talked to a few people who got them in the 80's and 90's and they've all said that they probably wouldn't have one if they had to take the exams today.

However, I've been told if you are looking to get into the upper echelons of porfolio managment, structuring complex securities, etc. it's a very valuable tool.

Hope that helps.

 

[suited]

Originally Posted by Aaron

A CFA is an extremely tough designation to attain. It's a mix of some pretty intense examinations (a friend of mine is taking his Level 2 exam and has an 8 page double sided formula sheet that he needs to memorize) with a few years of work experience (I think it's 3 or 4). Plus, they only pass a certain percentage of people at every exam.

I've talked to a few people who got them in the 80's and 90's and they've all said that they probably wouldn't have one if they had to take the exams today.

However, I've been told if you are looking to get into the upper echelons of porfolio managment, structuring complex securities, etc. it's a very valuable tool.

Hope that helps.

This is why I decided against it, because I'm only using finance to get my foot in the door at the company I really want to work for, and eventually end up in a position that has nothing to do with finance at all.

 

[LesterSnodgrass]

Originally Posted by warmpi

how do you make it through law school and not learn how to spell "definitely"

Aaron:
doing an MBA to learn finance? that's a bit overkill, especially when tuition is so expensive. generally, there are no scholarships/bursaries. but it might still be worth it depending on what your goals are.
the 2010 work experience might peak some interest in the admissions people. what exactly do you do?

How can you bash another poster for spelling and not know that it is "pique" some interest?

See http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/peaked.html