MBA - undergraduate degree first?

MBA - undergraduate degree first?

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Discussion

DJRC

23,563 posts

236 months

Monday 13th January 2014
quotequote all
An MBA has *never* held value anywhere outside the US! It became fashionable in London during the early 00s to have one on your CV. In Europe they are heavily advertised at airports and *all* of them play on the "US business" or "London business" angle to generate the "International" punter. Actually in business though...completely and utterly of no concern.

Perhaps its just my European attitude now but I find the notion of thinking you need or want to do an MBA to further your career staggering. And paying thousands for the "priviledge" of it?? Mind boggling!

slimtater

1,035 posts

170 months

Monday 13th January 2014
quotequote all
DJRC said:
An MBA has *never* held value anywhere outside the US! It became fashionable in London during the early 00s to have one on your CV. In Europe they are heavily advertised at airports and *all* of them play on the "US business" or "London business" angle to generate the "International" punter. Actually in business though...completely and utterly of no concern.

Perhaps its just my European attitude now but I find the notion of thinking you need or want to do an MBA to further your career staggering. And paying thousands for the "priviledge" of it?? Mind boggling!
Complete rubbish IMHO. An MBA at the end of the day is a master's level qualification in management that any sensible employer will consider favorably.

To the original poster. A part time three year MBA should give you a really good variety of modules and be challenging along the way to 180 credits at level 7 study! There aren't really any "easy" routes but some Unis will allow you to access them based on management experience and other vocational qualifications.

DJRC

23,563 posts

236 months

Monday 13th January 2014
quotequote all
Maybe its just the engineering world then. We dont pay them the slightest attention out here.

zbc

851 posts

151 months

Monday 13th January 2014
quotequote all
DJRC said:
Maybe its just the engineering world then. We dont pay them the slightest attention out here.
I'm sorry but this is simply wrong. I'm sure that they don't count for much in some companies but there are many companies, engineering and otherwise that value this type of education. When I did mine a few years ago about 10% of the class were sponsored by Ford. A lot of technical engineers who aspire to move up the career path to a less technical and more managerial role get one to help them convince people they are capable of doing so. Yes, they are more common in financial institutions and marketing/HR roles but one of the biggest growth areas is Continental Europe alongside XChina and India. It's a fairly saturated market in the US. Have a read of this http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/28/world/europe/eur...

slimtater

1,035 posts

170 months

Monday 13th January 2014
quotequote all
zbc said:
DJRC said:
Maybe its just the engineering world then. We dont pay them the slightest attention out here.
I'm sorry but this is simply wrong. I'm sure that they don't count for much in some companies but there are many companies, engineering and otherwise that value this type of education. When I did mine a few years ago about 10% of the class were sponsored by Ford. A lot of technical engineers who aspire to move up the career path to a less technical and more managerial role get one to help them convince people they are capable of doing so. Yes, they are more common in financial institutions and marketing/HR roles but one of the biggest growth areas is Continental Europe alongside XChina and India. It's a fairly saturated market in the US. Have a read of this http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/28/world/europe/eur...
On mine, Rolls Royce and Bombardier staff were well represented so perhaps DJRC's comment is very specific to his country that isn't relevent to the OP?

DJRC

23,563 posts

236 months

Tuesday 14th January 2014
quotequote all
zbc said:
DJRC said:
Maybe its just the engineering world then. We dont pay them the slightest attention out here.
I'm sorry but this is simply wrong. I'm sure that they don't count for much in some companies but there are many companies, engineering and otherwise that value this type of education. When I did mine a few years ago about 10% of the class were sponsored by Ford. A lot of technical engineers who aspire to move up the career path to a less technical and more managerial role get one to help them convince people they are capable of doing so. Yes, they are more common in financial institutions and marketing/HR roles but one of the biggest growth areas is Continental Europe alongside XChina and India. It's a fairly saturated market in the US. Have a read of this http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/28/world/europe/eur...
Ah sorry, I didn't realise we were only talking mid earning careers. I presumed we were talking about real jobs.

Carry on.

Petrus1983

8,718 posts

162 months

Monday 25th May 2015
quotequote all
944fan did you ever start an MBA in the end? I've started looking into it and would be in the same position as you when starting. At the moment I'm looking at Warwick and Newcastle on a 100% distance course. I don't feel I need it in the UK but there's a distinct possibility I may move Stateside in the future and they seem far more into your degrees/schools/college etc.

944fan

Original Poster:

4,962 posts

185 months

Monday 25th May 2015
quotequote all
Petrus1983 said:
944fan did you ever start an MBA in the end? I've started looking into it and would be in the same position as you when starting. At the moment I'm looking at Warwick and Newcastle on a 100% distance course. I don't feel I need it in the UK but there's a distinct possibility I may move Stateside in the future and they seem far more into your degrees/schools/college etc.
Not yet. With current work, commuting, kids, house, some exercise I barely have any spare time at all and so trying to do a masters on top of that isn't going to work.

I have also been re-assessing what I want to do with my career anyway. I am considering jacking in the management positions and going to be a contract developer. Haven't decided either way but if I go back to developing then I think I will up my technical qualifications.

Petrus1983

8,718 posts

162 months

Monday 25th May 2015
quotequote all
It's the time commitment almost as much as the financial commitment that concerns me too.

SVS

3,824 posts

271 months

Tuesday 26th May 2015
quotequote all
Petrus1983 said:
At the moment I'm looking at Warwick and Newcastle on a 100% distance course.
Warwick is considered the better (best?) distance learning MBA by some margin, isn't it? I seem to remember that Warwick consistently tops the UK rankings for distance learning MBAs.