Comments on: Big Long Post Inspired By An MBA Reception

By: Should I max out my 401K?

Should I max out my 401K? — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 05:02:44 +0000

[...] will be very thankful that I maxed out 401K if I go back to graduate school in a few years. An MBA comes with big loans, not tax-deferred retirement [...]

By: Graduate School (When) Should I Go?

Graduate School (When) Should I Go? — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 07:24:12 +0000

[...] school, but I’m glad I followed my gut instinct and pursued more work experience instead. A business school education has been a professional and personal goal of mine since graduating college, but right now is not [...]

By: Getting a New Job

Getting a New Job — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 06:52:08 +0000

[...] different opportunities for growth, but right now I think it would be an excellent foundation for business school in 3 years. I am so happy and thankful that I found a great position amid almost 13% unemployment [...]

By: Pat

Pat — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 04:50:05 +0000

Hi WH,

Nice blog. I'm an "older" executive with an MBA from MIT Sloan. What many people fail to understand about the MBA is that it is most marketable when combined with a very marketable bachelors and good work experience. It's the whole package that firms are willing to pay for. In cases where someone has, say, a liberal arts B.A. and unmeaningful work experience, they really won't command much after getting the MBA. In effect, they're really no better prepared to hit the ground running than someone with a solid undergrad in business. You mentioned you might go to China to get some work experience. I think that would be incredibly valuable. Good luck to you.

By: WellHeeled

WellHeeled — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:39:36 +0000

Congrats on going to school & working at the same time! Best of luck to you as well, and I'd love to see a post on doing a part-time MBA on your blog if you're so inclined.

By: WellHeeled

WellHeeled — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:37:24 +0000

One year in London & one in Hong Kong? That sounds cool – you'll have a chance to spend time in two of the world's foremost business centers. By the way, Duke has a program called a Cross-Continent MBA that you might find of interest.

By: WellHeeled

WellHeeled — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:06:24 +0000

I'd like to apply in a few years – ultimately decided I'd like to get more experience before I go back to school. I am well aware of the potential salaries of top bschool graduates. That's not the only reason I want to go back to school, of course, but being able to service the six-figure loans I'll be taking out is very important. Right now I am doing a little consulting work with a Chinese organization – if the job search here doesn't pan out, I'm going to redirect my focus to China and probably move there for a few years, then come back to the States for bschool. By that time, I hope this recession will be over and the next one have yet to start.

By: Financial Samurai

Financial Samurai — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:23:24 +0000

Are you still applying to B-school WH? You will most likely have a high marketplace salaried career if you go to a top 10-20 business school. It really is that easy to make $100,000 if you want to. The average income for Top 10 business school grads aged 28 is around $120,000 if you check out US News &WR.

The thing is $120,000 is just the START. Many of these students 5 years out are making $200-300,000, and if you're in finance, perhaps $400-600,,000.

The question is timing.

Cheers, Sam

By: KC

KC — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:11:17 +0000

As someone currently in an MBA program, I agree with Investing Newbie. The MBA experience – like most things – is all about what you make of it. I'm going for my MBA at night while still working a full-time job and I have been able to use the concepts and techniques that I learn in class right away. In my case I have been amazed at how much value it has already provided to me. I'll be really interested to find out what my prospects are once I graduate. Good luck!

http://www.climbingfromdebt.com

By: Investing Newbie

Investing Newbie — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:24:31 +0000

In response to LA Daze, I agree with you that everyone is pursuing a Masters Degree, but the selection process really occurs with what you decide to do with that degree. If you don’t specialize in an anything with an MBA, you’ll risk being just like everyone else with a Management degree. But how many people have a degree in Social Enterprise and Impact (that’s an NYU Stern shout-out?) How many people are using their MBAs in non-traditional “MBA” sectors such as Government, Education or Non-Profit?

It really is what you choose to do with your degree and not just getting your degree. A lot of people are going after the MD (now in other countries because of decreased competition) but it doesn’t seem like it is getting any less presitigous. I believe the same can be said for an MBA. Now, I may totally be biased because I am currently applying to B-school, but I truly believe that with everything happening in the economy and the huge potential for growth and change that the Great Recession has revealed to us, I think the business field is where its AT!

Good luck with the process Well-Heeled. I’m currently studying for the GMATs and have decided to give up my social life for my target score (800, right?). I’m thinking a three months of serious studying isn’t that bad for a “financially rewarding career achieved through risk-taking, innovation, and creativity.”
Investing Newbie´s last blog ..Silent Killer a.k.a The Discount

By: L.A. Daze

L.A. Daze — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 18:45:09 +0000

Great post and thanks for your insights. However, it did get me thinking. These days, anybody can get an undergrad degree by way of online colleges. It's now like the high school diploma – easy to get. Because of that, I feel as if an MBA isn't valued as much as it was before, because just like the undergrad degree, everybody is getting some kind of graduate degree as well.

That being said, I eventually want to get my Masters, but i'll take full advantage of it and do one year in London and one year in Hong Kong through one of the programs that lots of b-schools seem to have these days.

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:57:23 +0000

Have you read Never Eat Alone? Your mention of practicing entering and leaving conversation at the reception reminded me of the book.

I agree, your grandma sounds pretty impressive!

By: Sense

Sense — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:42:05 +0000

Wow, I kind of want to go to B-school now. That was an interesting synopsis of your experience! Thanks!