I am 6 years into the workforce, and am debating getting an MBA.

14 Comments

1. AnonymousNovember 6,2023 at 7:00PM UTC

   Which industry? Whether it's worthwhile would depend on your industry.

   If you're asking generically, it probably wouldn't hurt.

2. AnonymousNovember 6,2023 at 7:03PM UTC

   Also depends on the type of work you want to do. MBAs typically do not prefer highly technical work and instead focus on leadership, strategic, financial or operational aspects.

3. AnonymousNovember 6,2023 at 7:06PM UTC

   Speaking from personal experience - no degrees will save you from bias, some may even be intimidated by women with advanced degrees. So I wouldn’t expect equal treatment based on my holding an MBA degree. It gets a lot worse if you’re a person of color, as people want to bully you even more if you’re more qualified - they love the challenge and collecting of trophies.

   I’m so sorry I’m so bitter and cynical. Same poor treatment in 5 different jobs in 15 years.

4. AnonymousNovember 6,2023 at 7:44PM UTC

   I think it really matters why you're getting the degree. There are some industries that expect it after a certain amount of time, or you might want to make a career switch. But it is a very expensive investment, and not all roles or industries value it.

   Having been in a male-dominated industry (venture capital) with my MBA, I can say it makes zero difference to the male-dominated downsides of the space. But I was switching functions and industries and wanted to expand my network so for me the MBA was worth it.

   I know some people who went into more technical jobs, or specific-skills focused and the MBA is not something that gives them a leg up (data science, sales). And for all of us, its a lot of debt to have taken on, even done knowingly. So that's definitely something to weigh.

5. AnonymousNovember 6,2023 at 9:15PM UTC

   Industry dependent, do your research.

6. AnonymousNovember 7,2023 at 3:55AM UTC

   I agree with folks here sayin do your research on the program, its specialty and what skills you want to develop. It wouldn't hurt but you also have to remember the long term payment commitment of your investment. I was considering doing a video to educate people on my MBA journey, do you think that would be helpful?

7. Kate HopkinsNovember 7,2023 at 1:45PM UTC

   I agree with others that it depends on the industry. For my career, it's always been a plus and I really appreciated the experience - although personally I do think that it should be a 1 year masters... I would think carefully about cost vs. payback. Some industries care more about prestige schools while others just like to see the MBA credential. If they don't care as much about the prestige, focus on a lower cost option if possible. Nothing wrong with part time or executive MBAs if that's an option to keep working while you complete the degree - in the end you still have the MBA. You'll appreciate not having to take out as large a loan in the long run.

8. AnonymousNovember 7,2023 at 2:18PM UTC

   To add to the already great comments that people have, you need to look at where you want your career to be in 5 or even 10 years. Once you know that, look at job descriptions and preferred qualifications for people in those types of roles and responsibilities, is a MBA on most of them? There's your answer.

   I have an engineering undergrad and I got my MBA. I knew I wanted to be in an upper management position someday so the combo made sense (I also did the research above and found that the jobs I wanted had it as a preferred qualification). I have found the MBA worthwhile because it helped me learn another way to think and other strategies for approaching problems.

   Have I found that it has helped me in male male-dominated industry? No. The best thing I've found for that is to have ideas that end up being successful so that I gain respect that way. This tends to work best if I throw an idea out after another idea (from a guy) has failed spectacularly.

   MBAs are a lot of work. I do not recommend getting one unless you really want it. There were a lot of times when my wanting it was the only thing that kept me motivated.

   I hope this helps! Good luck with whatever you decide to do :)

9. Kimberly AnneNovember 7,2023 at 2:36PM UTC

   Not worth the money anymore.

10. AnonymousNovember 7,2023 at 10:39PM UTC

    Totally disagree

11. Heather (she/her)November 8,2023 at 1:27PM UTC

    It might help to look at job listings for the roles you'd like to hold and see what they offer. A lot of the time, degrees are more about the networking and connections you make than they are about the degree itself, so that's something to consider, but I'd say if you want to have a role that's asking for an MBA, or where a lot of people in that role have one, it's probably worth at least considering.

12. ChrishoggNovember 8,2023 at 1:56PM UTC

    As others have said in these comments, it depends.

    I would suggest, however, that before you decide one way or the other, that you first nail down very specifically what role and what field you want to be in for the next 10 years of your working life, and then conduct 25 or so informational meetings with people who manage that role in that field, and 10 or so meetings with managers / directors the next step above them, asking this question ... do I need an MBA to do what I want to do? ... and then decide whether or not to get the degree.

13. Kim PfeifferNovember 8,2023 at 7:08PM UTC

    If others in your field have one, you better get one too

14. AnonymousNovember 12,2023 at 6:11PM UTC

    I finished my MBA about 5 years into my career. I am also in a male dominated industry. I don't think it necessarily advanced my career, but I do think it got m foot in the door and got me more interviews than if I didn't have it.