Is MBA and advanced degree worth it?

[John Masterson]

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

I think it's all about personality and social and survivor skills within a business context.  It's not about technical skills, or even schooling...other than the prerequisite business diplomas.

It's not a position that you "train for" and get because you have the training. It's much more like running for political office and getting "elected" by the powers that be, the "high council".

[codger]

It has everything to do with networking, and very little to do with formal education. To obtain a VP or higher level position, you must be "invited in" by those already in power. You generally can't break in by force of will or personality either.

[AccuracyIT]

Quote:Is MBA and advanced degree worth it?

Yes - if you are Indian on an H-1B, wanting to work at Microsoft and willing to accept 50% of the going rate.

[mixxalot]

Good points-

Well in that case my goal is to make more money so that I can retire when I am 50 and start a business in Latin America. I may do law school part time instead of this has better fast track ticket to financial success. Especially in intellectual property where attorneys can start at 120k plus after passing the bar and law school. I know a few friends who are IP lawyers and make 200k+ with few years experience.

So yes I do want to make a lot of money. Dont we all? We work to make money doing things we enjoy. The whole off shore cheap labor sucks and hurts Americans. I do not see corporations off shore attorneys but I do see a lot of help desk/call centers, development, system engineers and accountanting work sent to India and China.

So for choice between MBA and JD- the JD is better if you can get into a top law school and pass the bar. I like the joint program at USD in San Diego which offers chance to earn both degrees. That is power but network is more critical.

I am working slowly to develop professional network. I admit.. it takes more work than school. And luck. Heck if someone loaned me a million bucks then I would do import/export of natural vitamins and herbs from rain forest of Brazil but I don't see Bill Gates doing that anytime soon so I have to take the hard and long road. Live frugal save and invest.

I did meet a gent recently who used to be a VP and CIO. Now he is a consultant!!!!!!

When I asked him why he gave up the exec position he mentioned that he liked the freedom of a consultant better and pay can be just as good if you know how to network and build client base.

Cheers
-mixx

[pm4hire]