Most Useful Masters Degree in College?

I have an MS in engineering management, but I would wager that an MBA is more powerful.

But this is really VERY subjective. If you have an undergrad degree in english literature and go out to get your MBA, don't expect some miracle position to appear suddenly. (no offense to english majors)

Frankly, grad school degrees only become really useful after you get a couple years of really good experience under your belt.

 

That's exactly what I'm doing this summer.

 

You will get more money (usually). Will it alter or significantly better your chances of "climbing the corporate ladder"? Maybe.

EDIT: I'm not saying it's a gamble. It's a good thing to have, and will give you a leg up on those without an advanced degree. But it's not as simple as "I have a BS in Electrical Engineering, now I can get an EE job."

Personality, politics, work environment, etc - all these things start to come into play. Not working in your field or at your employer I don't think I could help you decipher those particulars... Based on what you told me, I'd say go get your MBA. Especially if your employer will pay for it.

 

An MBA is very general and will often help your career in many different fields and industries, however, there are other graduate programs that are very good, especially if they are specific to your chosen career path and help you specialize.

I would say, in my career so far, results and experience trumps education in almost every way, but that being said, when it comes down to two equal candidates in results and experience: an MBA will bump you over the top.

Also, there are many MBA programs: my advice would to not spend over the top money on an MBA unless you are getting into a top notch program that REALLY matters: ie: a Harvard MBA is expensive as heck, but will pay itself back no matter what, however a Tulane and UH MBA program might have a $20,000 difference, but in the grand scheme of things, neither really trumps the other. I guess my point is that you can have diminishing returns on your MBA investment depending on the cost to prestige ratio.

I tough one would be a UT MBA. The program is ranked highly and very well respected, but is the astronomical cost worth it compared to other MBA programs? Maybe in some cases, maybe not in others. In my work environment, I've noticed just having the MBA is what matters, as long as it comes from a decent school. The only time its been a big deal when we've had IVY league MBAs come through (although I was generally unimpressed with their performance and they usually moved on without generating any impact despite costing an arm and a leg).

 

I'm actually debating which program to pursue my Master's degree in right now. I am trying to decide between Business, Psychology, and Physical Therapy.

 

ive always wondered what an MBA is. what exactly do you learn from getting an MBA? my opinion of them is kinda low bc it seems like everyone and their mom is getting an MBA.

 

Judging by your moniker, you really seem to enjoy copying people. I definitely think you're perfect for going back to school.

 

It depends on what industry you're in, I suppose. MBA is a great degree if they offer a specialization you can use... For me, I'd be better off with an MPH, or an MS (or MBS).

 

My wife is getting a Masters in Nursing. I have a friend who was a Chem E and got a law degree later. I have a friend who was a project manager, got his MBA, and got promoted to program manager (with a hefty bump in pay).
There are lots of ways to go at it. And all of them can be lucrative. But which one makes you happy?

 

well let's see, i have a master's in petroleum engineering. so...not that.

 

I have an MS in Marketing and an MBA.

But I don't know if either is any good or not.

 

dont you make like 150k?? damn if i could start college over id definitely major in mech e or petro e

 

You've got to be kidding me, petroeum engineers are in high demand. You must be looking in the wrong places, or are unwilling to move.

 

Is an MBA good for engineers (i.e., software engineers)? I mean if you're an engineer, what can u do with an MBA aside from starting your career completely over again in marketing/finance and getting paid a 50% lower salary?

 

i have an MFA, which is basically worthless. hooray me!

 

Currently considering grad school options myself. I have B.A. in communications which is essentially worthless. I'm leaning towards getting an MBA but do I have any other options outside of that? As far as experience goes I worked in a logistics field for less than a year and waited tables since college. Yeah, i'm basically a loser but getting a decent job seems nearly impossible with what i'm bringing to the table here with my major/limited experience.

 

pretty much. well, except without the 1 and the 5.


and high demand or not, i couldn't get a job for crap. all i heard was how many petroleum engineers the world needed, but no, lets not give f4p and his superb grades a job. probably because i had no experience, but then i was applying for entry-level jobs so i'm not exactly sure how i was supposed to get the experience or why it was so needed.


and i was mostly joking anyway, obviously PE will pay off handsomely for most people.