I'm on the fence about going back to school. I'm looking into concentrating in Marketing, but I'm not sure. What are the differences between a general Business MBA and a concentrated one? How long does it take? How was the experience? Has it helped financially job-wise? Any advice and input is much appreciated. I'll hang up and listen Thanks in advance
more info needed. what was your undergrad major, where at, and what is your current job? would this be a part time MBA? are you paying or is the employer? my blanket take on this is that if your job is pretty good already, and you're going to quit work and finance yourself personally through a UH MBA, it's probably not a good deal. i think it only makes sense to quit work and finance yourself if you are at a top 5 bschool or UT.
Undergrad double major in Marketing and Management from UH - CT Bauer College of Business. Current job is inside sales at a privately owned engineering company (my first real job). Most likely part time since I intend to keep a flexible full time job. The employer would pay most. I see your point with the MBA. But I believe CT Bauer at UH is recognized as a top notch business school. At least their MBA program is. I'm doing well in my current position, but I feel limited as far as room to grow. Because it is a privately owned company, what I do is not limited to a 'job description.' We all pitch in every now and then, but more times than not, extra work/help is not compensated for. I really want to get into advertising...a recent revelation. But I'm not sure how to do that at this stage of my career. I'm 25 and starting to get ambitious now that I'm working a full time job.
I think MBAs are more for people w/o business undergrad experience.. unless you're on the cusp of becoming CFO or CEO and an MBA is required.. I guess more education doesn't hurt.. I think it'd help you more to focus on something that interests you--see if there is a marketing focus. Or, find someone within your company or network that has been successful in advertising whom you can ask to be your mentor.
UH's MBA program is actually pretty good. Which is ironic seeing as how so many other schools are trying to horn in on the Houston market for business schools (UT, ATM, LSU, Tulane, and Rice just started a big push in the past 5 years or so IIRC... maybe texx can clarify that one). I agree with the other posters. If you like your job, and have a decent future, to hell with incurring more debt for school and losing tenure/experience in your field.
My wife just finished her Bauer Executive MBA in May. It took roughly two years, you WILL take a 10-day trip to China, and you WILL be working with a permanent (or semi-permanent) *TEAM* in all of your classes, which means that the grade you ultimately get is not so much dependent upon how well YOU do, but on how well your entire TEAM does. This is fine when you have a whole team dedicated and willing to work. Problem is, when half the class is there on someone else's dime... let's just say, sometimes the motivation and work ethic can be a little lacking. There are also two 'classes' .. one which meets all day Fridays and Saturdays. This one is the one where they put the 'top dollar' students, the big-wigs, and everyone else is segregated into the night classes on Mondays and Thursdays. But it is the same instructors for each, and very often they make up the same exact assignment plans and tests, even though in one class the person may have never even once mentioned a subject which can then subsequently show up on a test. Because he mentioned it in the other class. Ugh. Personally, I hate the idea of having to depend on your teammates, who are arbitrarily assigned, especially if you are paying for this out of your own pocket. No, it doesn't necessarily feel good to get screwed out of 40 thousand dollars by a bunch of lazy total strangers. I know I make it sound negative, but it's really not. It's tough though, and the Bauer EMbA is now regarded as one of the top notch MBA's in the country. Just be prepared going in that the next couple of years of your life are going to be dedicated completely to the program.
I am starting the UT MBA for Professionals program from Houston in 2 weeks. I am over 30, I have a very well-paying job, and I'm already in a management position at my company. However, I'm doing this to give me more options in life. I currently feel pigeon-holed into my industry - and should I ever lose my job (in this bad economy - I'm always worried about that) - I want to have options to allow me to transfer my learned on-the-job management skills to other industries. Unfortunately, I've found that doesn't work with just a Bachelor's degree. I plan to make the same salary when I graduate, or if I go to another company - I'll probably make less than I do now - b/c my current salary is greater than the average MBA salary... but I'm not doing it for the money - I'm doing it for the peace of mind that in the future I'll have lots of job opportunities, options, and a huge network to use. So I guess what I'm trying to say is - you need to figure out exactly why you want this MBA and what it's gonna do for you. Especially if you're funding it all by yourself, like I am, with no outside assistance.
This is a great analysis. For me the biggest benefit of an MBA is flexibility. It introduces you to other industries and fields and opens the door for a career switch. The biggest downside is obviously the cost. Often times you won't make the tuition and forgone salaries back for many many years. However, if the OP has the ambition, AND the company is willing to pay for some of it while he continues full time work. There's no reason no to go for it.
Great information in the thread. I'm entering UH's business undergrad program next semester. Particularly their Entrepreneurship degree program. May see ya there!
MBA gives you more options. If you're not paying for most of it, and can do it part time - there's no downside on this? I mean you lose some social time, but that's no big deal. Just go for it. If your firm is willing to look at the UT or Rice executive program, I would consider that. Rice MBA is on its way up, and like it or not, people think Rice is better simply because Rice undergrad is better.
