Is MBA and advanced degree worth it?

[mixxalot]

I am thinking of either doing a combined MBA and JD program or a combined MBA and MS in Computer Science to advance my career.

Now with off shore in full force to China and India and massive H-1B Visa invasions, I am wondering if these advanced degrees are helpful to eventually move into upper management or consulting?

[katyt]

Advanced degrees are like attoneys, you don't need one until you need one. The difference is that you can hire an attoney in about 2 weeks when the need arises, but it takes at least two years to get an advanced degree.

[The Original Dinosaur]

Depends on your age.

I got 2/3 through an MBA program before I realized that at age 40, the diploma would be worth zip.  I think the breakeven point is around 32 or so.

But you can always use the knowledge to make yourself more valuable, if you can sell "more valuable".  Many employers won't be impressed - they commoditize everything.

[codger]

Quote:Many employers won't be impressed - they commoditize everything.

I wouldn't say "many". I'd say "most".

[The Original Dinosaur]

Quote:    Quote:Many employers won't be impressed - they commoditize everything.

I wouldn't say "many". I'd say "most".

I guess I'm feeling a bit soft today.  Must correct for that.

[TRexx]

Quote:Many employers won't be impressed - they commoditize everything.

Except those degrees/certs that the big cheese has.   Accounting companies value CPAs, pharmas & HMOs
value MDs, engineering companies value PEs, CEOs with MBAs value other MBAs

My father worked for an aerospace company for about 30 years. They paid for his BS in mangement and offered him the opportunity to get his MBA. He bailed out about 1/3 through when a decree came down from on high that a BS in engineering was the minimum requirement for all management positions, and a MS was required for anything above 2nd line.



 

[codger]

Quote:He bailed out about 1/3 through when a decree came down from on high that a BS in engineering was the minimum requirement for all management positions, and a MS was required for anything above 2nd line.

I'd be interested to learn how many C-level and board members satisfied those academic requirements. Probably only a small % of them.

[TRexx]

Quote:I'd be interested to learn how many C-level and board members satisfied those academic requirements. Probably only a small % of them.

The new president had a PhD in EE and the Sr VPs of Engineering, and R&D certainly did.  Probably the guy who ran manufacturing. But none of the others (Finance, Sales, Marketing, HR) did.  Within a year they were all replaced by engineers.  

Want some fun? Try explaining state and federal labor laws to the Mech. E who is now heading up HR.  

The company was a subsidiary of a conglomerate that had little to with aerospace.  Mostly they made consumer products so I doubt that there were many engineers on the board.

[codger]

Quote:But none of the others (Finance, Sales, Marketing, HR) did. Within a year they were all replaced by engineers.

Typical dick-headed "leadership". No wonder so many companies operate as if they're held together with band-aids. They can barely manage today. Tomorrow is beyond their ability to grasp.

[pm4hire]

first level management slot.

[pm4hire]

Contary to conventual wisdom, companies usually pass on
the best and the brightest.

Why?

They are too high maintenance.

[John Masterson]

Quote:Contary to conventual wisdom, companies usually pass on
the best and the brightest.

Why?

They are too high maintenance.

I am also beginning to see that most of what an IT department builds does not require the skills of the best and brightest...and breathtaking design and code would not be noticed anyway...in fact, it might even be "dismissed as wrong" by some insecure techie protecting his turf!!

[mixxalot]

For global technology work with massive data warehouse projects in next 5-10 years. I see tons of folks with MS/MBAs. Almost a dime a dozen.

Does it really matter? Current place does not pay for any tuition reimbursement and travel is 100% so no time for grad program for a while.

How does one become a VP in Product Management or Global Strategy? These are gravy jobs that pay very large salaries.

I see a lot of people with MBA/MS from joker fly by night schools and especially no-name schools in India and China. I do see a lot of top Chinese and Indians get grad school in the USA thought.

[reb241]

"My goal is either top consultant or SVP global strategy"

I'm curious, whats your motivation for wanting the executive slot; money, perks, title, other?  From my experiences those in top mgt slots have to sign their life away to the company.  Yea you might make 1/2 a million a year but no time to enjoy it.

And from my experiences, the MBA won't help getting a  SVP slot.  Those positions goes to those who network and politic heavily within the organization.

I say go for the MBA if you want the top consultant.  It will give you some street creed to correlate your experience.  

[pm4hire]