MBA and it's worth
A MBAers worth, to MBA or not to MBA - an essential question -To MBA or not to MBA (Masters in Business Administration), that is the question. Mere letters to market after your name, or an earned title of dignity and honor that exemplifies your hard work and dedication to learning?
I can hear all my fellow MBAers out there cringing/not even second guessing all the time, effort, energy, 
studying, money, and testing it took to earn our coveted degree. I was inspired to 
write on this after hearing several naysayers feel that they disliked MBA 'speak', didn't feel that it's worth it, and MBA's aren't different from anyone else (one in reply to a comment via a Linkedin Q&A I posted "What is this innovation you speaketh of?" - can connect you to him if you so desire). I agree, PARTLY. One can certainly learn from various channels. You can essentially become a "Google MD" by searching your symptoms online, and see what illness you may have. One can research stocks, business, or just about anything via search engines and learn the high level and strategic concepts that MBA's learn.
I feel earning an MBA does not equate competence, it's how you utilize it! I met folks through
the program who skated by, and others who were energized to implement it's robust and deep understanding 'art of business', and connect what they learned to real life/time projects to improve our world. Intelligence is not measured by acronyms or titles.
studying, money, and testing it took to earn our coveted degree. I was inspired to 
write on this after hearing several naysayers feel that they disliked MBA 'speak', didn't feel that it's worth it, and MBA's aren't different from anyone else (one in reply to a comment via a Linkedin Q&A I posted "What is this innovation you speaketh of?" - can connect you to him if you so desire). I agree, PARTLY. One can certainly learn from various channels. You can essentially become a "Google MD" by searching your symptoms online, and see what illness you may have. One can research stocks, business, or just about anything via search engines and learn the high level and strategic concepts that MBA's learn.I feel earning an MBA does not equate competence, it's how you utilize it! I met folks through
the program who skated by, and others who were energized to implement it's robust and deep understanding 'art of business', and connect what they learned to real life/time projects to improve our world. Intelligence is not measured by acronyms or titles. I had a gentleman suggest 'lose the MBA' on your name. I thought about it, and I was 50/50 on his comment. True, carrying a title with a 'MBA', 'JD', 'MD', 'MEd', etc. can be conceived as cocky, 
and require you to constantly prove your worth - or it can merely express your willingness to learn, grow, business sense, strategic thinking, and discipline to dedicate yourself to expanding your 'knowledge economy'. Human nature usually guides thinking to comparing and competing, so folks with an MBA can relate to what type of investment it took to earn 
one, and others digest the acronym as something they would either like, or a person that thinks they may be better (which I reiterate with passionate voice - we do NOT think that - and if you know someone acting in this manner, they have more issues with life and themselves than earning the title, forgive them, apologies!).
and require you to constantly prove your worth - or it can merely express your willingness to learn, grow, business sense, strategic thinking, and discipline to dedicate yourself to expanding your 'knowledge economy'. Human nature usually guides thinking to comparing and competing, so folks with an MBA can relate to what type of investment it took to earn 
one, and others digest the acronym as something they would either like, or a person that thinks they may be better (which I reiterate with passionate voice - we do NOT think that - and if you know someone acting in this manner, they have more issues with life and themselves than earning the title, forgive them, apologies!). Motivations to earn an MBA varied. Most were there to sincerely learn, leverage it as a tool to grow, implement strategies into their work place, and advance their careers. Also, I heard of 
people earning their MBA because work paid for it, they were bored, or just wanted more money, as if they were to earn it made them credible, and created a person that deserved a large salary, demanded respect, and they were done learning as they sat on their throne. Not to de horse you, but your work has just begun as the sun sets, and day runs. Advancing one's career also (usually) means finding a better fit in leadership, and financial compensation. Regardless of who I met, the program was an awesome 
way to connect with other professionals to network, learn, and connect with a great group of talented people! I assure you, when it's all said and done, you truly get out what you put into the program. It takes commitment, energy, balance of time, and effort to earn an MBA. You may have been able to back paddle through undergrad, but any graduate program will challenge your thinking, views on what you believe in, and perspectives to your related field if they are an accredited program.
people earning their MBA because work paid for it, they were bored, or just wanted more money, as if they were to earn it made them credible, and created a person that deserved a large salary, demanded respect, and they were done learning as they sat on their throne. Not to de horse you, but your work has just begun as the sun sets, and day runs. Advancing one's career also (usually) means finding a better fit in leadership, and financial compensation. Regardless of who I met, the program was an awesome 
way to connect with other professionals to network, learn, and connect with a great group of talented people! I assure you, when it's all said and done, you truly get out what you put into the program. It takes commitment, energy, balance of time, and effort to earn an MBA. You may have been able to back paddle through undergrad, but any graduate program will challenge your thinking, views on what you believe in, and perspectives to your related field if they are an accredited program. For those of you who have heard negative criticism of your title, I hate to go back to the sand 
box, but IGNORE THEM! Inevitably I feel we are all 'one', a global family, no one is better than another, people can be judgmental, and so is life - 'que sera sera'. I am certain you have learned many valuable life leadership
lessons 'on the job', but also via the leadership lessons/perspectives in the classroom. Put them to the test, rise above, and perhaps enlighten your critic with what you learned, never dismiss the value of a nemesis for they are seeking to secretly learn what makes you tick, find a weakness, and perhaps even envy your accomplishments. Love on them. Those of you that admire and understand what it encapsulates to earn a MBA, thank you!
box, but IGNORE THEM! Inevitably I feel we are all 'one', a global family, no one is better than another, people can be judgmental, and so is life - 'que sera sera'. I am certain you have learned many valuable life leadership
lessons 'on the job', but also via the leadership lessons/perspectives in the classroom. Put them to the test, rise above, and perhaps enlighten your critic with what you learned, never dismiss the value of a nemesis for they are seeking to secretly learn what makes you tick, find a weakness, and perhaps even envy your accomplishments. Love on them. Those of you that admire and understand what it encapsulates to earn a MBA, thank you!So, a MBA and it's worth, what is it? The answer = it depends (on YOU!). Who owns it, how have they utilized it, implemented perspectives, and what style leadership do they operate with? Utilize your power for good vs. evil my fellow MBAers, MBA pursuers, and strategic thinkers. Keep inspired, being inspired, and motivated!
Sincerely,
Brian Siegel, MBA
We love lists - so here you go -
1.Advance Your Career
2.Change Your Career
3.Get Paid Training (And a Raise) From Your Employer 4.Start Your Own Business
5.Develop Business Savvy and Expertise Quickly
6.Become a Leader in an Emerging Field
7.Gain Valuable Networking Resources
2.Change Your Career
3.Get Paid Training (And a Raise) From Your Employer 4.Start Your Own Business
5.Develop Business Savvy and Expertise Quickly
6.Become a Leader in an Emerging Field
7.Gain Valuable Networking Resources
8.Enjoy Greater Job Security
9.Earn More Money - "Overall, the typical graduate earned $48,000 before entering the MBA program and now expects to earn $75,000 in the first job after graduation—a 56% increase."
1.Time
2.Money
3.Investment doesn't pay off
4.Can learn strategies and perspectives on your own time/research
5.You don't enjoy the subjects or projects
6.Prefer 'on the job training' or 'real world' applications/world
7.the MBA doesn't teach all you need to know such as soft (people) skills (may already have technical or business expertise/perspectives)
8.you don't have real world experience (just exited undergrad, may not appreciate the perspectives without the professional experiences to apply the knowledge)
9.having an MBA does not equate competence (how you utilize it) - don't have energy to complete
10.you don't like business - go into another field ; )
YOU decide!
Comments
Ali, non MBA holder, but XU BSBA'93
ah...the age old MBA question. Some great thoughts in your article! One thing you don't discuss much is timing...when should you do an MBA? 3 years after your first job? For me, the MBA adds the most value when you have had at least 5 years of work experience. What do you think? Is it OK to do an MBA just out of under-grad?
Ryan Jones
I say go for it, learning and developing leadership/education etc. is never a bad thing! The sooner the better... and it is easier to apply the concepts from professional experience vs. going in directly from undergrad. Plus, the job you have may even have tuition reimbursement!
Michelle Beckham-Corbin
XU MBA '94