On job ads: "MBA desirable" or "MBA preferred"

[release213]

How much does having a MBA actually make a difference?
In my field, I'm starting to see more and more of this "MBA preferred" line under qualifications. I'm debating whether an investment in MBA is worthwhile.

 

[Printer Bandit]

big difference between Harvard MBA and University of Phoenix MBA.

what kind of school were you thinking of?

 

[release213]

big difference between Harvard MBA and University of Phoenix MBA.

what kind of school were you thinking of?

The schools ranked right outside the top 10 - so UCLA/Duke/Cornell/UVA/Yale/Michigan

I only applied to one of them and have an acceptance offer, but tuition is not cheap so I'm having an internal struggle.

 

[Rakehellion]

An MBA is one degree that's worth the money.

 

[glenn1]

An MBA is one degree that's worth the money.

It can help get you the first job, but after that it all depends on you to leverage a career with it. A piece of paper isn't worth much without solid underlying skills, drive, and the right employer fit. I've passed many MBA holders along the way but admittedly had to start from a lot lower spot to begin working my way up.

 

[release213]

Bump

 

[jaedaliu]

How much does having a MBA actually make a difference?
In my field, I'm starting to see more and more of this "MBA preferred" line under qualifications. I'm debating whether an investment in MBA is worthwhile.

An MBA is one degree that's worth the money.

Depends on your field and industry.

My sister got a MBA, paid out of pocket while working, despite my uncle and great uncle telling her that she didn't need one in her industry.

However, she didn't like her industry and leveraged finishing the MBA to switch out.

It's a personal choice, but if lack of a MBA is keeping you from progressing, the cost isn't important.

 

[poofyhairguy]

The only business degree that is worth it for what you learn is a MPA, because then you can take the CPA exam.

BUT a MBA can still be worth every dime you pay if you do it right.

The real value in a MBA is the networking you get in the classes. Especially at higher-end programs, many are either older career folks going back to advance (so they often have the power to hire) or some rich family's kid who is just doing what daddy said to do (and therefore also has the power to hire in daddy's company).

But that means things like an online MBA, or taking MBA classes in a region that you don't plan to stay in, are not worth as much.

I am a victim to the second one. I got my MBA because it was easy to fit with my last job, and I got a ton of really good job offers via classmates afterwards. But I wanted to live in a different region, so I ended us flushing that all down the toilet. If I could do it again I would have waited until I was more settled.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Being in IT, I have been told numerous times during the interview/hiring process that having a MBA placed me at the top of all the candidates.