Already have an MBA. Should I get something else to help my career?

Hello,

I am a 32 year old engineer. I completed a MBA from the University of New Brunswick were I live back in 2009. I also hold a PMP (Project Management Professional) designation from PMI.

I am currently in a middle management position at the public electrical utility. My area of focus is on business and corporate strategy.

Since I have now gotten into a more specific area of focus, corporate strategy, does anyone have any reccomendations for any training that would be relevant and benificial to my company? The MBA is fairly general as it covers the main areas of business (i.e. finance, marketing, leadership, accounting, strategy, etc.).

Or do you think that the MBA is enough and other certificates/degrees wouldnt be worth the amount of effort to get them considering where I am now.

I am open to either certificate programs that are shorter in duration, or Masters degrees. They need to focus on strategy and be available online as my local university does not offer anything relevant to what I am looking for.

So really I have two questions:
(1) Will the effort to obtain something like a certificate or another masters degree be worth the time and money given I have an MBA?

(2) If it is worth while, what programs should I look into?

Thanks in advance for your feedback

 

Honestly, I think it is enough or finding a different certification such as Six Sigma Black Belt. Unless you want continue to study then a Ph.D for personal satisfactions, but I don't think you'll get ROI in the management position.

 

I have been looking at a couple of different options to strengthen my knowledge and skills in strategy.

One option is:

Strategic Management Certificate - Harvard Extension School
Strategic Management Certificate | Strategic Management Training at Harvard

Do you think this would be a good addition to my skills given I already have an MBA?

 

I would stick to building your career experience and adding value to your organization; I believe that would get you much farther than more formal education.

 

I would second TEKMAN's suggestion. Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean would be (IMHO) a huge benefit if you are looking at strategy/management/quality. This would also compliment your PMP. Of course real world experience is the ticket if you already have the formal education but the SSBB should open doors to other real world experiences that you may be lacking and grab the attention of people that understand the benefit of the SS process/value.

Not sure how familiar you are with the SS process and tools but GoLeanSixSigma.com gives a free SS Yellow Belt training course, and VERY CHEAP exam, that would introdue you to the philosiphies/tools, etc and give a better understanding. From there you could go to a more reputed organization for training/certification at the Green and Black levels.

 

If you have an engineering degree then I doubt if and additional degrees over your MBA will help much unless it is in an area sush as systems engineering. Why not join an appropriate engineering association - this will give you the opportunity to network, present papers, and keep up with up to date in your area (all at a much lower cost than a graduate degree).

 

Another strong option is to consider Stanford Advanced Project Management Program that once you complete it, you become a Stanford Certified Project Manager (SCPM)