HI everybody, I am finally moving into the world of DL, but I am doing it with a vengeance I guess. Here is what my ambitions are: I want to change careers I want to make up for youthfull indiscretions, while at university I want to fullfill my personal goals. And add any other reason you can find to this list. Here is my plan: MBA from Aspen University, the price is just to good to pass up and will help to get into another line of work ( I work in the hotel industry) I have started the process of enrollment and besides some constraints due to my work location, I will be able to take advantage of their special offer in time. An accounting degree from London External University, the graduate entry route. I have chosen london over other options like CIMA or ACCA because the degree will give me better chance of moving out of this industry. So far so good I guess but here are some questions: With all my other commitments will I not over extend myself? ( I work about 80 hours a week) Does it all make sense to an outsider why i am doing a MBA and a Bachelor? Is there anybody on this forum who can tell me about the exams for London University? In terms of study time and difficulty? At my age (above 40) is it worth the investment? ( I think total amount around 10000 dollars spread over 3 to 4 years) In the current economic climate is this a good idea? Or should i wait then then pursue an MBA from Warwick Univeristy which would eat up all my savings? Thanks for the time and effort for reading this long article
Are you saying you are going to pursue an MBA and bachelor's degree at the same time while working 80 hours per week? I don't think it's feasible.
Does it all make sense to an outsider why i am doing a MBA and a Bachelor?Working 80 hours a week and doing two degrees seems impossible. I would burn out in that situation and not be able to finish. Aren't there a few MBA programs that don't require a bachelor degree? Do I remember someone saying that Heriot Watt doesn't require a bachelors? I could be wrong. ---------------- Is there anybody on this forum who can tell me about the exams for London University? In terms of study time and difficulty?Sorry don't know ---------------- At my age (above 40) is it worth the investment? ( I think total amount around 10000 dollars spread over 3 to 4 years)Only hindsight will tell you conclusively whether it was a good idea or not. (I hate that!) But $10K is not that much to spend. One caution, Aspen is not regionally accredited, it is DETC accredited. That's still a good accreditation but some employers will not honor it. You should check. ---------------- In the current economic climate is this a good idea?Everyone is hoping that things will be getting better soon, so it is possible (not guaranteed) that this is a good time. Once again, it depends heavily on your industry. ---------------- Or should i wait then then pursue an MBA from Warwick Univeristy which would eat up all my savings?IMO if you are above 40, you need to begin to concentrate on saving as much money as you can. Retirement will come up sooner than you think. So if you can get where you want to with the $10K degree plan, you are better off.
I agree with Michael on this. I know several people in the UK and Europe who end up out of a job at 50 and can't find another one. Apart from that I would look into getting a degree from the Open University B04 - BA (Honours) Business Studies - Open University Qualification
maybe focus on one degree part time, that you can get going on with not putting too much $$ into, and see how you like it. with some plan on the long term goal if it is what you think it is going to be. you might not like it or see that it is harder than you first thought. can't hurt you to add education, but seems like you're getting ahead of yourself a little. a marathon is 24 miles, but you still have to run it one step at a time.
Working 80 hours a week and eating 3 meals a day seems impossible to me. How many times are you planning on cloning yourself?
I think Ian's suggestion is a sound one (as is Michael Oliver's). UofL exams are tough and you are essentially on your own in preparing for them, whereas Open U is well-known for providing excellent tuition (teaching).
You sound like me just a few month ago. At 43 I was looking to go back to school , but I wanted it and I wanted it now. I looked at ways to do much the same thing you're contemplating. Heriot-Watt was one option because as MichaelOliver said, it doesn't require a BSc to pursue the MBA. In the end I chose to pursue a Bachelors at Western Governors University first, for several reasons. And now that I'm into it I see the idea of trying to carry another program at the same time would be too much. I'm still considering the idea of taking one Heriot-Watt course at a time as I go along (you're not considered an MBA student until you've completed three courses), but since they're self-paced study it would fit into my schedule because I wouldn't be required to complete it by any specific time. The rule of thumb seems to be to allow for 20 hours of study per week per 3 classes, so if you're working 80 hours, plus 20 hours for the undergrad, plus 20 hours for the MBA, that means you'd have 6 hours per day that you wouldn't be working or studying. So sleep, work, study. For 3 years. And as Maniac mentioned, you'd have to include time to eat in that 6 hours too. You didn't mention whether you have a family. That's another big consideration. When I decide to go back I had to make sure it wasn't going to take too much time way from my wife and kids. One last thing regarding the MBA and your savings; if you're looking to change careers you might find an employer that would pay for you to continue your education. I think it would be a mistake to deplete your savings (especially at our age) when there might be a better option. So my advice, start with the undergrad for at least a semester and see how that goes, then make the decision.
