MBA students think business school has made them brilliant. Employers don’t agree!

Discussion in 'Business and MBA degrees' started by Vinipink, Jan 25, 2017.

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  1. Vinipink

    Vinipink Accounting Monster

  2. FTFaculty

    FTFaculty Well-Known Member

    I have an MBA. An undergraduate degree in accounting is more rigorous and a greater achievement. The average MBA program has very little nuts and bolts-type knowledge involved and is really not that difficult.
     
  3. AJ_Atlanta

    AJ_Atlanta New Member

    When I was an economics undergrad we joked that accounting was for people who lacked the higher math skills (or personality) needed in economics. So it's all just a matter of opinion really, one that can be shared without insulting or diminishing all the people on this site who have (like yourself) or are working on a MBA
     
  4. TomE

    TomE New Member

    It's too bad that the survey link doesn't actually work.

    Also, I'm confused as to whether they surveyed a cross-section of MBA students from around the country or solely those from "elite" institutions. If they surveyed everyone (and employers who hire a broader range), I would be more willing to accept the results than if, say, Ivy League MBAs were the only ones included.
     
  5. FTFaculty

    FTFaculty Well-Known Member

    Having taught accounting majors and econ majors for quite a while now in business and corporate law class, and having seen hundreds and hundreds of both, having seen the technical skills and general excellence or want thereof of both groups, I'd put the accountants at the absolute undisputed top of the heap for business majors. Perhaps other people in different schools have different experiences, but opinions are one thing, performance in the classroom is another. The accountants possess in spades the logical and analytical skills (not that far afield from the logic required to handle mathematics) required to master the intricacies of the UCC, contract remedies, etc, necessary to pass the Reg portion of the CPA. Just my experience, can't speak to anyone else's.
     
  6. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    I'm trying to imagine economists cramming for a Certified Public Economist exam....
     
  7. FTFaculty

    FTFaculty Well-Known Member

    That'd be a good one. Bet nary a congressperson or president who participated in the running up of our deficit and debt--pretty much all of them--could pass the "CPE Exam".
     
  8. Bruce

    Bruce Moderator

    Some of the smartest guys I've ever worked with never even graduated high school, while I've had some Harvard Ph.D. professors who I wouldn't trust with sharp scissors.

    I believe that a lot of intelligence is inherent; education and degrees simply draw it out, cultivate it, and validate it.
     
  9. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    So do I. And so is stupidity. Education can, as you say, elicit and cultivate intelligence -- but it won't fix "stupid." Nothing can.

    J.
     
  10. BusinessManIT

    BusinessManIT Member

    An MBA Won't Make You Smart

    Earning an MBA just gives you information, techniques, and strategies to use in business. It does not make you any smarter. The same goes for ANY degree, not just an MBA.
     
  11. FTFaculty

    FTFaculty Well-Known Member

    Agreed. Have known some people with grad degrees from Ivy schools or equivalents who simply were not very clever (but almost invariably thought they were--the worst possible scenario, because when you think you're sparkling brilliant but you're not, you won't learn much in life).

    Having the right momma or daddy and drilling enough to do well on standardized tests and chasing grades in high school or college might make for an acceptance to a prestigious grad school and a great-looking resume, but it doesn't mean you're all that competent, capable, smart. I've been acquainted with an uneducated house cleaner who had several professors and upper class professionals among her client base. I also knew most of the smug upper crusty types for whom she worked. She frankly could think circles round them, the spouse and I would visit her and she'd talk about this prof or that hot shot and invariably she could see right through them, had such insight, whereas they were clueless and had no idea the simple cleaning woman had greater insight into the human condition than they did.
     
  12. TomE

    TomE New Member

    To those talking about how grades, test scores, and university credentials oftentimes mean less than people would like to think that they do, what does this say about higher education in general and how these factors should be applied in post-education settings? If there are so many cases of those with "lower" credentials being more greatly prepared or possessing greater aptitude, what is the point of chasing grades, test scores, or attending a more "prestigious" institution?
     

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