After two years and a diploma from business school, what’s next for MBA grads? Though the opportunities are vast, LinkedIn data tells us what some of the most common destinations for alumni of our Top MBA Programs are. For many, the next step is a career in consulting, at a company like McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG) or Bain & Company. Others leverage their B-school degree to break into the technology sector, applying their education to the business of tech giants like Amazon or Google. Meanwhile, many graduates enter a career in corporate finance, for employers like Citi or JPMorgan Chase & Co. Weigh in: If you work in one of these industries, do you think an MBA degree is helpful to get ahead? What advice do you have for those looking to break into the field? Check out the full Top MBA Programs article here: https://lnkd.in/USTopMBA2023
An MBA was definately something I was skeptical about initially but realized the value as I went through the program. As someone who was working in operations management for a technology company , I felt like I had a pretty good career trajectory, but also realized that I might be inhibited from breaking into senior leadership due to a skills gap - specifically with strategic management and financial strategy. These concepts didn’t appear in my line of work with any regularity - so it was difficult to gain experience with them - and I could easily see these were skills our executives would have. Additionally - the comfort with data and statistics was also something an MBA program enabled me to grow in - which was absolutely a boost in skills directly related to my job. Ultimately, I believe an MBA helped cement a story I was already curating about my career as a growing leader - and did have an impact on securing my next role. That being said - I think my practical experience still is very relevant and is also still a big part of my overall skills and employability.
As a student at D'Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University (Ranked #44 per this list), I understand the value a business degree brings to a person. Although I myself am not an MBA candidate at the school, I am studying a specific niche of Quantitative Finance in the realm of business and finance, I feel that the amount of learning opportunites during and post the program that one can explore are endless, and I am mostly trying to find bits and pieces of time trying to experience every opportunity that comes my way. Majoring in Business and especially in rigourous programs like MBA or MS help you stay relevant to the market as it pushes you to upskill. I do not have a coding background nor did I have any technical expertise in any programming language, but they're part of my core course-work with a financial inclination and I am pushed to learn the same in the area of my interest, which I most likely wouldn't have had I been working in my previous consulting role.
As a technology professional with a computer science background, I believe obtaining an MBA degree can be a valuable asset for career advancement in the tech industry. It can bridge technical knowledge and business expertise, benefiting tech professionals aspiring to take on leadership roles while understanding the broader market dynamics. An MBA can provide valuable insights into key areas such as: - Product management: Understanding market trends, customer needs, and business objectives to develop successful tech products. - Strategic planning: Aligning tech initiatives with the company's overall business strategy to drive innovation and growth. - Financial management: Making sound financial decisions that support the company's tech investments and operations. - Leadership and communication: Effectively leading teams, communicating technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders, and fostering a collaborative environment. While an MBA is not always a prerequisite for success in the tech industry, it can undoubtedly open doors to new opportunities and accelerate career advancement.
After talking with peers in MBA programs, they didn't think the ROI was there unless you were 1) starting a business or 2) making a drastic career pivot. Less and less companies are requiring MBAs to get ahead, and I think you'll see that reflected in big company leadership, as only 33% of Fortune 500 CEOs have MBAs. After holding roles in both Financial Services and TMT, I have seen both MBA-holders and non-MBAs defy common career trajectories. All in all, I think it depends what your goal is to justify if it's worth it.
As a person who worked construction to put myself through school and obtain an MBA, I can attest the MBA has, frustratingly, had no impact or benefit in my career advancement. As someone laid off from a tech career and unable to find employment, my advice to anyone looking to pursue higher education would be “don’t”. College is dead and is no help in finding a career. Companies only want 5+ years of experience that you cannot get because you spent that time getting an invaluable education. Skills and experience are in demand, and an MBA sadly doesn’t count for experience or in demand skills these days.
An MBA on its own doesn’t guarantee success but it can open doors and help you pivot into new types of roles and industries. An MBA helped me pivot into brand management - it may not have happened without it. While an MBA alone may not open as many doors as you think, an MBA + experience can be game-changing for your career. It’s all about how you tell the story of your personal and professional journey. To get ahead post-MBA, focus on how you will make a positive impact in your current role. The MBA may have opened the door, but it’s up to you to capitalize on the opportunity.
I can think three crucial facts about MBA: 1. Learning New Skills: MBA degree promises the acquisition of invaluable skills in marketing, business management, and beyond. However, with the advent of online platforms like Coursera, acquiring these skills has become more accessible and very cheap with high quality . For instance, the Wharton School offers almost all related MBA courses on Coursera for only 400$/year (coursera+). 2. Networking and Connections: While an MBA offers a unique environment for networking, the digital landscape has reshaped the way we connect. Building meaningful professional relationships is not confined to the classroom; it is in day-to-day interactions within your workplace and on platforms like LinkedIn. Leveraging these avenues can be as impactful, if not more. 3. Brand Name vs. Relevant Experience: Having a prestigious MBA on your resume is undeniable, opening doors to initial connections and interviews. However, the subsequent chapters of your career narrative are most profoundly influenced by hands-on, relevant experience and impact you made. The weight of your professional journey often eclipses the glow of a brand name, making practical and applicable skills paramount in the long run.
Ever thought you needed an MBA ticket to ride the tech product manager train? Turns out, that's not the only route to success. While an MBA can open doors, it’s not the be-all and end-all for rocking it as a product manager in tech. What matters more is having a bunch of skills up your sleeve and knowing your product inside out. Being a top-notch product manager in tech means wearing many hats and being a bit of a jack-of-all-trades. It’s not just about book smarts; it's about diving deep into your product world. That deep understanding? That’s your secret sauce for making killer decisions and leading the pack. Flexibility is the name of the game in the tech product management world. Sure, an MBA gives you a leg up, especially if you want to be at Amazon, but what really sets you apart is your ability to pivot, learn, and adapt lightning-fast. It's not just about what you know; it's about how fast you can soak up new stuff. So, while an MBA might help, it’s the hunger for diverse knowledge, and an intuition about customer needs that truly propels you forward in this gig.
MBAs are great degrees, but they are certainly not for everyone in every situation. First and foremost, I'd say people should aim to get 5-10 years of real-world business experience before going to get their MBA. Applying actual experience to the teachings makes it far more relevant Second, I'd consider if your career would benefit from an MBA. Does learning more about organizational change, accounting, or operations make sense for you? I think it does for most business leaders, but maybe not everyone.
Growth Expert | Google, YouTube, & Instagram Alum | Advisor and Investor | Creator Economy Champion
1yI earned my MBA at University of California, Berkeley, Haas School of Business (Go Bears!) and have seen great advantages to the program as well as having the degree. A few benefits include, starting with the people since that's my favorite: 👩🎓 Network and Personal Contacts: MBA programs pull together a best-in-class, diverse group of people. I met some of my best friends at Haas and built out a great professional network for career opportunities and potential business ventures. 📈 Career Advancement: My MBA helped me to gain promotions in big tech companies as well as opened the door for new professional opportunities. ✏ Skills, Frameworks, and Ways of Thinking: Most MBA programs offer diverse courses in addition to the core classes. Students learn marketing, operations, strategy, accounting, and finance. I still apply valuable frameworks that helped me become a more rigorous problem solver and adept decisions maker. 💡 Growth Mindset and Entrepreneurship: Earning an MBA opened my mind to what I'm capable of and exposed me to new industries, roles, and even fostered my entrepreneurial side. MBAs can be empowering to take an entrepreneurial path.