Anybody got an MBA?

[Loco Vette]

I am pondering one of these "Executive MBA" programs, and it's a huge time commitment (Would mean no racing for 16 months, for example.) Anyone with an MBA, would you say it was worth it?

I do not see changing jobs at all so this is not for resume-building, but for real gathering of knowledge.

Thanks in advance!

[ft laud mike]

I did my MPA (Nova Southeast Univ)in 2003, hasn't helped me in the slightest.
I take pride in it as a personal accomplishment, but given the choice, I would not do it again. But,
It does looks nice when I open my gunsafe and take it out of the cardboard mailer they sent it to me in
:cert:

[GRN ENVY]

I plan on getting mine starting in spring 2014

[CertInsaneC5]

I did my MPA (Nova Southeast Univ)in 2003, hasn't helped me in the slightest.
I take pride in it as a personal accomplishment, but given the choice, I would not do it again. But,
It does looks nice when I open my gunsafe and take it out of the cardboard mailer they sent it to me in
:cert:

I think that about somes it up.

[VITE1]

With your education, Native intelligence and current job is it worth it? I doubt it.

[Vette40th]

Depends, some professions have made it their business for you to have it to be competitive.

[VatorMan]

The wife got her MBA through her work. Her sheepskin is actually from Wurzbrug Germany. After they paid for her MBA, a month later they laid her off and forgave the debt.

She got a new position 2 paygrades higher than her old and it was due to the MBA. I'd say go for it.

[vetteman9368]

I am pondering one of these "Executive MBA" programs, and it's a huge time commitment (Would mean no racing for 16 months, for example.) Anyone with an MBA, would you say it was worth it?

I do not see changing jobs at all so this is not for resume-building, but for real gathering of knowledge.

Thanks in advance!

I'm not sure it would do you any good, but missing the racing would suck!

[C5SilverBullet]

She got a new position 2 paygrades higher than her old and it was due to the MBA. I'd say go for it.
BUT, it isn't like they are going to fire him. I believe he is just wanting to know if people with MBA's have learned something insightful the rest of us wouldn't know.

[Flatbush Harry]

I've got a couple of academic master's degrees (econ., applied math) rather than an MBA and I can say that they were worth getting. On the other hand, I got them at the beginning of my career, they were paid for by fellowships and the USAF, and they gave me the tools to pursue the career I subsequently stumbled into.

MBAs can be very useful; one of my friends got one from one of the best B-schools in the country, made a couple of $billion, gave $300 million to the business school he graduated from so they named it after him. His specialty was investments and he made his dough in that game. I have another friend who started a company with only a bachelor's degree. So far he's only worth about $12-15Billion...I'm not sure the MBA would help him.

The tools one acquires in an MBA program are valuable for themselves. The expense of the MBA is high; if you can estimate the increase in cash flow that the degree will bring you, you can easily compute the net present value of the investment in the degree. If positive, it will be worth it, subject to the uncertainty of the cash flow enhancement.

I have always regarded B-school as a trade school...much like medical or law school. You go for the skill sets to be acquired and their economic and psychic value to you. The economic value is easy to compute, the psychic rewards are much harder.

Best regards,

Harry

[Rapid Roger]

I think the point in your career in which you get the MBA is important,the younger the better.I got mine in my late forties and by then my path was pretty well cast in stone.

I did get a nice bump when I got it but I don't think I climbed up the ladder any faster or got any higher because of it......Your results may vary.......:)

[VatorMan]

I think the best thing the wife got out of her MBA was a larger network of fellow accountants.

[FasterTraffic]

I have my MBA and I got it through an executive program taking classes at night. To me, it was definitely worth the time and effort. My employer at the time picked up the tab and it was a hiring requirement for my current job. Admittedly, I would have gone after an MBA sooner or later just for my own sense of accomplishment had I not been given the opportunity to get it for free early on.

You're really the only person truly qualified to answer your question, though.

[Joecooool]

Its your company, hire someone with an MBA.

[sanchez]

I just completed the exec MBA at university of Miami. The contacts and knowledge base of the fellow exec students made it worth it. Pic a GOOD program that attracts solid people. I personally would avoid online programs as having the face to face time with your fellow students and professors made the tuition sting less.

Hope this helps.

[Datawiz]

I am pondering one of these "Executive MBA" programs, and it's a huge time commitment (Would mean no racing for 16 months, for example.) Anyone with an MBA, would you say it was worth it?

I do not see changing jobs at all so this is not for resume-building, but for real gathering of knowledge.

Thanks in advance!

I lost you at "Would mean no racing for 16 months" :slap:

Val, you are already an extremely intelligent individual. Your father raised you well. You have a bright future in your current career. Do you think you would better yourself financially from this?

Yes, expanding your mind is nice, but you can do that in different ways. :yesnod:

[ZipZap]

The full MBA curriculum may not be useful to you. If you are looking for specific knowledge, and the actual degree is not a requirement, look at the many opportunities for executive education that are available. There are programs that may be more suited to a specific need you have than the general nature of an MBA.

[Loco Vette]

Its your company, hire someone with an MBA.

Then I have to trust someone and we all know that ain't gonna happen. :-) Figure if the knowledge base is important I can get it for the cost of one MBA salary for one year.

[GS Ragtop]

I looked into one of those immersion-type MBA programs about 10-12 years ago. It was a top-notch program (Weatherhead in Cleveland), but it definitely would have required EVERY bit of available time, and then some.

One important note: They stated pretty emphatically that I would probably not pass the program without joining a study group. The group's interaction and mix of skills would be crucial to the entire team's success. If you are looking at a program, consider whether study groups are available and recommended.

In the end, I passed on the MBA opportunity and just focused the time on my company's success in the various leadership position I took with them. If I needed a skill, I attended a specialized class. For me, that was a wise choice in terms of career success and financial results. YMMV.

[snide]

The guy I'm reporting to at my current project recently started an Executive MBA program down in Atlanta. For him, it's a lot of work to complete the classwork. For myself and the people I work with, it's great because he's taking days off to complete his coursework. :leaving:

Also, this guy is dot Indian, so I doubt he'll get anything out of it.:leaving:

[snide]

Val,

If you have iTunes, then you have access to iTunes U. Do a search on "MBA" and you'll get a shit-tonne of hits. Most, if not all, of the courses on iTunes U are FREE.

:cheers:

[VITE1]

BTW I have both an MBA and PHD
MBA = Mostly Bullshit and Attitude
PHD= Pile it High and Deep.

But you guys knew that already.

[vetteman9368]

BTW I have both an MBA and PHD
MBA = Mostly Bullshit and Attitude
PHD= Pile it High and Deep.

But you guys knew that already.

Val already has that

[Loco Vette]

BTW I have both an MBA and PHD
MBA = Mostly Bullshit and Attitude
PHD= Pile it High and Deep.

But you guys knew that already.

:rofl::rofl:

[VITE1]

Val already has that

I know We trade methods and trade secrets. :D

[Broken Wind]

I am pondering one of these "Executive MBA" programs, and it's a huge time commitment (Would mean no racing for 16 months, for example.) Anyone with an MBA, would you say it was worth it?

I do not see changing jobs at all so this is not for resume-building, but for real gathering of knowledge.

Thanks in advance!

I got one a little over 20 years ago and it was one of the best academic experiences I've ever had.

The down side is I gave up virtually all of my free time for 2 years, but it was worth it from a personal growth standpoint.

The key was that I went after it because I wanted to learn, and it was quite a learning experience for me.

Twenty two years later, everything I learned has been replaced by new theories, processes, and buzz words, but that diploma from a well known university still looks good on both my wall and my resume. No regrets, and if I was a little younger, I might go after another one.

[sanchez]

Val,

If you have iTunes, then you have access to iTunes U. Do a search on "MBA" and you'll get a shit-tonne of hits. Most, if not all, of the courses on iTunes U are FREE.

:cheers:

I would also reccomend a subscription to the harvard business review. A lot of the material we covered was from this magazine and it is excellent.

If you have any other questions you can shoot me a with you phone number and we can chat.

Again, I really had a great time networking and was able to meet a few students that acted as mentors for me. I was one of the youngest exec students. A lot of the other folks we already senior level executive in my program. Just having contact with those folks is invaluable.

[repo]

Depends where you are at and what you want.

Some people just need to be continually challenged, other are happy with status quo.

I think it would depend on your business and your business plan.

It would NEVER be a waste though as can you really ever learn too much?

My BIL got his MBA from Carnegie Mellon and it has opened numerous doors for him. It doesn't sound like you need that though.

I would try it and see if you like it and find it rewarding in any way. If not, just drop out.

I think I would go back if I wanted to specialize in one area with my MBA like finance, or econ. I think that would make it worthwhile.

Good luck!

[cmb396]

I really cannot see the point in it Val. I don't think it will better your standing in your current career, and I understand the part about broadening your business knowledge, but what better results can you find outside of "on the job experience"?
I say take that money, and put it towards suite seats at Neyland so I can come down for each home game...just my .02!!:cheers: