Discussion
As someone contemplating studying for an MBA, I wondered if anyone who is either studying now, or has completed their MBA could answer a few questions for me please.
1. Why did you choose to do an MBA?
2. Why did you choose your particular business school?
3. How was the course/MBA experience different from what you expected?
4. What were the best and worst aspects of doing the MBA?
5. How has it helped you in your post-MBA career? Was it worth it?
6. What advice would you give to someone considering taking an MBA?
Thanks :)
1. Why did you choose to do an MBA?
2. Why did you choose your particular business school?
3. How was the course/MBA experience different from what you expected?
4. What were the best and worst aspects of doing the MBA?
5. How has it helped you in your post-MBA career? Was it worth it?
6. What advice would you give to someone considering taking an MBA?
Thanks :)
chim girl said:
1. Why did you choose to do an MBA?
Because at the time I wanted to work in the US and felt that it would bestow some sort of advantage.
2. Why did you choose your particular business school?
Nearest to my office. Reasonable reputation (SEMS at Surrey Uni in Guildford)
3. How was the course/MBA experience different from what you expected?
Coursework was far easier than I was expecting. Rather disappointed to be top of the class without much effort. There was a lot of work to do though. It's just a slog.
4. What were the best and worst aspects of doing the MBA?
Best - Arrive in classes dressed like a chav and get better results than suited and booted company directors
Worst - Many of the concepts taught date easily. I was of the "In Pursuit Of Excellence" generation.
5. How has it helped you in your post-MBA career? Was it worth it?
It was worth it as a boost to the self esteem but as far as my career goes, I changed career tack and haven't really had cause to use it.
6. What advice would you give to someone considering taking an MBA?
Be honest with yourself regarding the reasons why you're doing it. Don't believe all the hype about huge salary increases as a result.
>> Edited by bad_roo on Tuesday 6th September 11:50
chim girl said:
As someone contemplating studying for an MBA, I wondered if anyone who is either studying now, or has completed their MBA could answer a few questions for me please.
1. Why did you choose to do an MBA? Needed to do something to further my career - was already in lower-middle management, and i often found myself in meetings not fully understanding terminology and what people were on about. Also needed a confidence boost and a challenge
2. Why did you choose your particular business school?
Partly due to reputation, partly due to convenience - reasonably close to work - i studied part time over two years, which entailed afternoon and evening lessons
3. How was the course/MBA experience different from what you expected?
I was very nervous before commencing, thinking that it would be full of successful business type people who thought they knew everything anyway. How wring i was. Most on the course were very down to earth, honest about their experiences and weaknesses, and i made some very good friends
4. What were the best and worst aspects of doing the MBA?
The thing is with an MBA, it covers so many aspects of business in such a short space of time, you ever really only scratch the surface. This is OK in those areas which you don't particularly like (finance for me) but in those areas that interest you, you almost want to do more but you simply have'nt got the time. Also, as it covers all aspects of business, there will be some elements which simply bore you rigid, but have to be done nonetheless
5. How has it helped you in your post-MBA career? Was it worth it?
Yes, soon after completion it helped my get a promotion at work which i don't think i would have been ready for had i not got an MBA under my belt
6. What advice would you give to someone considering taking an MBA?
Choose your place of study well. Apart from reputation and what the course sylabus offer (it does differ from place to place), the place also needs to be relatively convenient so that travel does not become a chore. And budget for books - they are not cheap!!
Final advice - i would recommend it. Very enjoyable, but hard work - lots of reading involved.
Thanks
Hi,
Please see answers above. i completed my MBA about two years ago. Despite some initial trepidation in getting back into education, i found it most enjoyable and i would highly recommend it.
chim girl said:
As someone contemplating studying for an MBA, I wondered if anyone who is either studying now, or has completed their MBA could answer a few questions for me please.
1. Why did you choose to do an MBA?
2. Why did you choose your particular business school?
3. How was the course/MBA experience different from what you expected?
4. What were the best and worst aspects of doing the MBA?
5. How has it helped you in your post-MBA career? Was it worth it?
6. What advice would you give to someone considering taking an MBA?
Thanks
1, Moved from hands on engineer to management, felt being called a manager does not make me a manager
2, Started with the OU for open learning reasons then completed with the RGU in Aberdeen as they commenced an open learning course plus access to the actual uni
3, The move from engineering, ie this nut goes with this bolt to theoretical thinking, dealing with numerous management science opinions etc was difficult and required a total change in thinking
4, Best part was that I found it tremendously rewarding and really helped me in my job, downside, well in hindsight none that comes to mind
5, For self-satisfaction, yes it helped me in my previous job and eventually led me to the current one.
But overall for aiding my career, well I would say beware on how you use it.
If your sector encourages self development then fine but if it is a sector that does not recognise management science and/or an industry where they promote on length of service rather than ability then you may face challenges, unfortunately some individuals regard experience coupled to qualifications as a threat and feel they maybe out placed.
However more positively others see talented people as a way for them to gain promotion by developing an heir apparent.
6, Consider the time element, think about the effect on others, partners family etc, it can be very time consuming and can at, times take over your life. Be realistic on the time needed, map your schedule, all uni's give an indication of time needed, use this and add more.
Nights out, social life, holidays will be second place but a fine balance can be found but you have to make sacrifices.
I hope this helps
Best regards
Hamish
Thanks for your responses so far.
Until this last year I had a job that I worked every waking hour other than Saturday evening, so a compromised social life shouldn't be a huge shock. However, getting back to some serious study will take some adjustment. For those that did the fulltime course, how much work was involved on week to week basis?
There is a 'slim' possibility that Mr CG may be able to do the 2 year exec MBA while I do the one year full time. For those with experience, is this going to be a nightmare or a blessing for us?
I'm currently in banking, at a middle management level. I have a decent understanding of accounting process, management and organisational development, together with lots of sales management and some marketing experience. I had hoped that the MBA would consolidate some of this knowledge, giving me a more strategic view of a business/organisation. Does that seem to be a reasonable expectation? Longer term I would like to end up either consulting, or in private enterprise in an Operations role.
Culturally, the organisation rewards self development, however despite the temptation, I don't want to be in 'golden handcuffs', by having an employer funded MBA. My plan is to take a career break and decide afterwards if I want to return to banking.
>> Edited by chim girl on Tuesday 6th September 14:04
Until this last year I had a job that I worked every waking hour other than Saturday evening, so a compromised social life shouldn't be a huge shock. However, getting back to some serious study will take some adjustment. For those that did the fulltime course, how much work was involved on week to week basis?
There is a 'slim' possibility that Mr CG may be able to do the 2 year exec MBA while I do the one year full time. For those with experience, is this going to be a nightmare or a blessing for us?
I'm currently in banking, at a middle management level. I have a decent understanding of accounting process, management and organisational development, together with lots of sales management and some marketing experience. I had hoped that the MBA would consolidate some of this knowledge, giving me a more strategic view of a business/organisation. Does that seem to be a reasonable expectation? Longer term I would like to end up either consulting, or in private enterprise in an Operations role.
Culturally, the organisation rewards self development, however despite the temptation, I don't want to be in 'golden handcuffs', by having an employer funded MBA. My plan is to take a career break and decide afterwards if I want to return to banking.
>> Edited by chim girl on Tuesday 6th September 14:04
It's definitely MBA or M3, not both 
1. Why did you choose to do an MBA?
Usual stuff about career progression, plus ego boost.
2. Why did you choose your particular business school?
Convenience, reputation (OU)
3. How was the course/MBA experience different from what you expected?
It was a long slog. Not hard, just long.
4. What were the best and worst aspects of doing the MBA?
Best - very interesting work. Worst - demands big time commitment.
5. How has it helped you in your post-MBA career? Was it worth it?
Hard to say. It provides a definite edge over lesser qualified people, however some people can find it intimidating.
6. What advice would you give to someone considering taking an MBA?
The paradigm shift is strategically significant, and you may find your emergent strategy becomes dominant over your planned strategy as you leverage your newly acquired resource. Don't weight the payback period of the MBA course as much as its net present value (over an appropriate time frame of course).
Usual stuff about career progression, plus ego boost.
2. Why did you choose your particular business school?
Convenience, reputation (OU)
3. How was the course/MBA experience different from what you expected?
It was a long slog. Not hard, just long.
4. What were the best and worst aspects of doing the MBA?
Best - very interesting work. Worst - demands big time commitment.
5. How has it helped you in your post-MBA career? Was it worth it?
Hard to say. It provides a definite edge over lesser qualified people, however some people can find it intimidating.
6. What advice would you give to someone considering taking an MBA?
The paradigm shift is strategically significant, and you may find your emergent strategy becomes dominant over your planned strategy as you leverage your newly acquired resource. Don't weight the payback period of the MBA course as much as its net present value (over an appropriate time frame of course).
chim girl said:
As someone contemplating studying for an MBA, I wondered if anyone who is either studying now, or has completed their MBA could answer a few questions for me please.
1. Why did you choose to do an MBA?
Wanted to change direction and learn more quickly about stuff that I probably would have got through experience but 5 or ten years later.
2. Why did you choose your particular business school?
Reputation and the format of the course for me. There are so many courses around now that I think reputation of your business school is a key to the future value. There are lots of rankings published and I would always aim for one of the top 5 UK and if possible top 10 Europe.
3. How was the course/MBA experience different from what you expected?
Course material was much easier, amoount of material much greater.
4. What were the best and worst aspects of doing the MBA?
For me best was looking at new ideas and concepts, meeting new people from an incredibly wide range of business backgrounds. Worst was probably the amount of free time it took up (but I was working long hours before anyway) and the 5% of the course who live up to being MBA a**h*l*s!
5. How has it helped you in your post-MBA career? Was it worth it?
I got a better job quicker than I think I would have done and subsequently started my own business. But, I might have done the start up at some point anyway - it's very hard to tell
6. What advice would you give to someone considering taking an MBA?
Don't do it if you just want the "MBA" title, do it because you genuinely want/need to learn about and think about the stuff that you will be taught. I don't want to sound mercenary, but I would also re-emphasise that you should try to go to the best independently rated school you can.
Thanks
For banking, which I'm in too, I've heard a lot of people say you need to do it at a decent school (top 10 worldwide) or not at all. In the UK that means the LBS, and that's it. Even Oxford doesn't make it into the top 10. Heard fairly good things about Cranfield, but a "Bradford MBA" for instance is going to be a waste of money IMO.
Otherwise do an MSc in something relevant. I'm still considering doing an MBA, at LBS or Harvard, but not sure its worth the cost. Also still not sure that successful management can really be taught in a classroom, and in the UK the MBA still isn't as highly regarded as it is in the US.
Finally, I read an article in the FT saying that an increasing number of companies are deciding that MBAs aren't very good at all.
Otherwise do an MSc in something relevant. I'm still considering doing an MBA, at LBS or Harvard, but not sure its worth the cost. Also still not sure that successful management can really be taught in a classroom, and in the UK the MBA still isn't as highly regarded as it is in the US.
Finally, I read an article in the FT saying that an increasing number of companies are deciding that MBAs aren't very good at all.
munky said:
For banking, which I'm in too, I've heard a lot of people say you need to do it at a decent school (top 10 worldwide) or not at all. In the UK that means the LBS, and that's it. Even Oxford doesn't make it into the top 10. Heard fairly good things about Cranfield, but a "Bradford MBA" for instance is going to be a waste of money IMO.
Otherwise do an MSc in something relevant. I'm still considering doing an MBA, at LBS or Harvard, but not sure its worth the cost. Also still not sure that successful management can really be taught in a classroom, and in the UK the MBA still isn't as highly regarded as it is in the US.
Finally, I read an article in the FT saying that an increasing number of companies are deciding that MBAs aren't very good at all.
The bit above about the relevance of the school is very true, and the benefit of MBA's from an employers perspective go in and out of fashion.
I think it is a judgement call and you need to consider what you intend to do for a career and then investigate the relevance of an MBA to progression within that industry as opposed to another type of qualification.
>> Edited by Egbert Nobacon on Thursday 8th September 08:42
munky said:
For banking, which I'm in too, I've heard a lot of people say you need to do it at a decent school (top 10 worldwide) or not at all. In the UK that means the LBS, and that's it. Even Oxford doesn't make it into the top 10. Heard fairly good things about Cranfield, but a "Bradford MBA" for instance is going to be a waste of money IMO.
Definately agree about going to a decent school. However, I'd add Cranfield, Warwick, and Manchester to the list from the UK. They were all certainly well regarded, on a par with LBS when I was looking for a school a couple of years ago.
Please see my comments below - doing an MBA was great - and has really helped me over the past 15 years.
chim girl said:
As someone contemplating studying for an MBA, I wondered if anyone who is either studying now, or has completed their MBA could answer a few questions for me please.
1. Why did you choose to do an MBA?
To enable a move from Consulting Civil Engineering into Finance / Commercial work in business. I Initially worked in the brewing industry - then later moved into Banking - this would not have been possible without an MBA from a top school.
2. Why did you choose your particular business school?
I went to Cranfield - which has the best 1 year programme in the UK. LBS has the best 2 year programme - but I didnt want to take 2 years out
3. How was the course/MBA experience different from what you expected?
It was everything I expected - great teaching , great atmosphere of work hard / play hard (occasionally ), and a great bunch of people to study with.
4. What were the best and worst aspects of doing the MBA?
Best : one of the most exciting , energising years of my life which enabled me to change career.
Worst : long hours of intense work : c. 16 hours per day , every day - fortunately I was in my 20's so could cope with the massive workload.
5. How has it helped you in your post-MBA career? Was it worth it?
Definitely worth it - gave me a major boost to career prospects and earning potential - and also gives you a much broader "widescreen" view of what you can do with your life - e.g : run your own business if you want , rather than stick on the corporate career tread mill
6. What advice would you give to someone considering taking an MBA?
Be very clear about your reasons for doing it and what you want to get out of it - its important to be very motivated as the work load will be high.
. Also - go to the best school you can - there are really only 2 or 3 schools worth attending in the UK : LBS , Cranfield, maybe Manchester too.
Do a full-time course rather than a part-time "exec" course - you will get a lot more out of the full time course.
Be wary of doing a course then going back to your old employer - much better to work for someone else who will see you differently - and is likely to give you more responsibility.
Thanks
chim girl said:
1. Why did you choose to do an MBA?
I have a Green card to live in the US, which one day I'd like to do and thought an MBA would make it easier to find a good job. Plus I started work when I was 18, didn't go to Uni, and now with my business starting to do well I can justify the time and cost to do it.
2. Why did you choose your particular business school?
I'm doing the Open University MBA over 4 years. They run am employer sponsorship scheme, so I was able to sponsor myself and not pay for the course so quickly.
3. How was the course/MBA experience different from what you expected?
It is harder than I thought, but also rewarding and I already find myself using the principles covered.
4. What were the best and worst aspects of doing the MBA?
The best is realising the aspects of the course that make my business work better. The worst is the time when all my friends are going to the pub and I have to study.
5. How has it helped you in your post-MBA career? Was it worth it?
I'll let you know in a few years time.
6. What advice would you give to someone considering taking an MBA?
Do it. It's a big sacrifice to make and you'll go through some very low points whilst you are doing it. but if you stick with it, it will be worth it.
>> Edited by RichUK on Thursday 8th September 13:22
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