Developer wanting to access higher level of management

Discussion in 'Business and MBA degrees' started by toronto198, Feb 13, 2017.

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  1. toronto198

    toronto198 New Member

    Hey guys,

    I maybe got an interesting case for you,

    I am a developer with an associate degree in engineering in Canada. I make currently 150k, and got other offers in the 120k. My issue is that I am trying to get in higher level of management but having a hard time getting in.

    I held 2 small director jobs in the past, however due to a bad career choice I had to leave my last director job. At my current company, I am considered as a "senior manager" but in the technical track (principal dev).

    When I was looking for jobs I was able to obtain 90-100k middle management positions, but this is not really working for me.

    So now I am looking at education to bolster my CV, I got 2 small childrens, I cannot sit in class 2 days a week. Ideally, I would have done an online MBA in my region, but there is none. I find there is a big stigma in my city about online education, not something you want to brag about, and having a US university on my CV will raise a lot of questions.

    Other issue, I have an associate degree. Most MBA will not take me. So now I am looking at other options, Boston area is 5 hours away, so I was looking into the Strategic management graduate certificate from Harvard Extension school (I know about the controversies of that school).

    I can take the courses and do intensive weekends there, this would bring back legitimacy in my interviews I think. What you guys think? I know this is a specific issue, but I'm curious to have opinions of people outside my circle.

    Thank you!
     
  2. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  3. nyvrem

    nyvrem Active Member

    Universities in United Kingdom comes to mind when you talk about entering a Masters level program without an undergraduate degree but with ample work experience. But if your region frowns upon having an online degree then can't help you much.

    But do have a look at University of Liverpool, University of Birmingham

    they have a list of distance learning Masters programs. (MBA, etc)
     
  4. toronto198

    toronto198 New Member

    So interestingly the admission officer said to me that the graduate certificate cannot count toward getting a bachelor in their program. But what about at another university? Would it be possible to transfer my Canadian associate degree credits + my graduate courses toward a bachelor hopefully having enough credits, then continue toward a master in management at the extension school?
     
  5. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Most Masters programs will only accept 6-9 transfer credits an few will take 12-15.
     
  6. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    If I were you I'd finish a Bachelor's degree through someone like Athabasca, then try to make your schedule accommodate UToronto's unique morning MBA program:

    Morning & Evening Part-Time MBA - Rotman School of Management

    I know, you said with the kids that's difficult, but there's no getting around classroom time if you don't want to do an online program, and at your salary point I expect you'd need a well regarded MBA to make it worthwhile.
     
  7. Stanislav

    Stanislav Well-Known Member

    Agreed. And in Canada, that means well-regarded Canadian MBA. Maybe can get away with Ivy League if your goal is to work in globalized place like the Big Four banks; even then UofT is probably better. Dumb but true.
     
  8. TEKMAN

    TEKMAN Semper Fi!

    I agree with Steve's recommendation. You can rise from the technical developing to management position easily, just need your credential. First to finish your Bachelor degree, then get the most prestigious MBA to climb the management position. A certificate might not serve you for the long term.
     
  9. toronto198

    toronto198 New Member

    Hey guys,

    Thanks for all the inputs, I spent something like 10 hours reading this forum, awesome resources.

    So this makes me reconsider my position, it seems in all cases it would be better to have an MBA even if it is acquired online, however not using a reputable MBA from Canada may be an issue when trying to access better positions, and at my salary, this might be a problem.

    I'm not sure I can commit to finishing my bachelor online, then do an MBA. I'm still unsure on what I will do, but at least I know now I won't be spending 12k on a certificate. I think my next step will be to contact some executive recruiters see what they think, these guys always bother me anyway, my turn.
     
  10. There are two things to consider - education and experience. I got to a mid management level (manager of managers, 30+ people) with no degree, and then I pretty much topped out. But I had experience managing people for 10+ years. I know others in a similar position. My career took off again once I started, and finished, my MBA.

    Is the degree really holding you back? If yes, then you have a couple of paths depending on your availability and appetite for independent work.

    Option 1 is to do something similar to what I did, which is to get an undergrad from one of the Big 3 (COSC, Thomas Edison or Excelsior) primarily through testing. I would get a business undergrad as it will not only give you the background but minimize any leveling courses you might need for a MBA. It's not as easy as it was 10+ years ago when I did it, but I did 4 years in around 13 months while working. Now there are at least a couple of courses required but testing out is still an option.

    Depending on the tests, some should be available in Toronto but I would bet that all would be available at times in Buffalo.

    You could then pursue any desired distance learning MBA, or do one part time in Toronto.

    One important point - the purpose of the Big 3 is to get a legit degree done quickly. I used it as a "ladder" to get to a top tier business school, at which point no recruiter would care about my undergrad based upon the MBA and experience. If you stop at the undergrad, it is better than no degree, but it has limited utility.

    Option 2 is to look at Heriot-Watt (Edinburgh Business School) which doesn't require an undergrad to do the MBA. This is independent study with exams.

    The advantage here is that you don't need the intermediate step. The disadvantage is that if you can't complete it for whatever reason you walk away with no benefit.

    My personal recommendation is the first option, because it shores up your foundation with a 4 year degree and gives you a lot of different paths to follow afterward.

    BTW, once you are pursuing your MBA you will find in many cases that is just as good as getting it when it comes to job opportunities. But it is even better when you have it.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 18, 2017

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