Hate to beat a dead horse, but I'm wondering what good does an MBA do besides flesh out a resume relative to other resumes. Looking at the various curriculums, and assuming a person has already had a leadership position/project lead, etc., I don't really see the value of the MBA. I see the value in the accounting/finance portion, and perhaps the HR law portions, but other than that, the principles taught by MBA programs are easily learned on the job, IMHO. Any dissenting opinions?
In my job, I probably use 1 % of what I was taught in any particular week. When an odd situation comes up that needs further study alarms go off and I draw on what's in my brain or identify something that I have to go to the books for. If I learned my trade by OJT, I would probably know only the 1 % used weekly. A real MBA provides a good education. A fluff MBA of 10 feel good courses is next to useless.
It can give you the opportunity to teach in college, that is if you are able to land the faculty position. In my case I am looking to start in a communitty college. Also to meet the requirements to seat for professional examination (CPA) these by itself has more value that any other degree you can gain. But your are correct most of the knowledge and experience can be obtain by working. MBA are tools of intimidation to some supervisors and managers, since the tend to be insecure by the subordinate and with that I leave with some: OFFICE ARITHMETIC Smart boss + smart employee = profit Smart boss + dumb employee = production Dumb boss + smart employee = promotion Dumb boss + dumb employee = overtime
Re: Re: What good is an MBA? Have you looked at Australian universities for PHD like Charles Stuart, Edith Cowen or USQ (DBA)... They might cost you 40~50% less than NCU or AU.. Just a thought.
Re: Re: Re: What good is an MBA? Thanks, for the feedback, I already talk to them, but financing options were not available or a least one that fit my budget. I am waiting some info from UNISA. NCU I was able to workout the financing plan, which is more easy in my pocket. Argosy only reason is that they have a DBA in my field (accounting) I am able to take loans, but the residency at this time is not possible. TUI the program is too general, so I boiled down to AU and NCU since the have specialization in Financial Mgmt, which another field I like and the residency is not require. I will be making my a final choice in couple weeks. Vini
Re: Re: What good is an MBA? Most of my learning was OTJ (on-the-job) related. I earned my MBA several years ago. I hardly use what I've learned. In some cases I would have to agree with others who believe that OTJ training can be just as beneficial as having an MBA. Oh, by the way............having been a consutant to the government for the past few years, I would like to slightly modify this formula. Dumb bureaucrat + dumb staff + smart consultant = 6 figure salary for consultant Dumb bureaucrat + smart staff + smart consultant - 6 figure salary for consultant plus staff turn over. Smart boss + smart staff + smart consultant = they don't work for government
Re: Re: Re: What good is an MBA? I liked the above very much, I have learned that in flesh and blood. However, everything is not lost. Thanks for the modification.
What good is an MBA As is true with all other programs of study in any area the MBA is only a personal benefit if you select a program whose specialties suit your needs. There are many MBA programs out there that have no specialization. My MBA is an Executive MBA. I did a lot of research into selecting a school and although strategy was my main interest I had the following schools on the radar screen: USC-Marketing Wharton-Finance NYU-Finance Pepperdine-Strategy Because of my position and since I had corporate sponsorship I could have attended any of the above but I chose Pepperdine because they had a #1 ranking in Ethics and #4 ranking in strategy worldwide. Yes, the others might have looked better on a resume but they did not offer a speciality in an area that I could use. Because I am not out looking for work nor am I competing with the the younger MBA crowd that was more important to me. I have used my Pepperdine strategic training skills MANY times to plan and develop business plans for my present company. So yes, an MBA IS useful but YOU need to make it work. Don't get into a subpar program that does not teach you useful skills that will enable you to recoup the costs. Rafael BS Western state University, Fullerton, CA JD " " ( ABA ) MBA Pepperdine, Malibu, CA MS Kansas State University, KS ( 2003 ) DBA ( looking )
Several ways to respond to this topic ... Let's look at the differences as to the level of degrees: BA/BS ... answers the "what" types of questions MBA/MS ... answers the "how" types of questions Ph.D. ... answers the "why" types of questions So ... anything past the BA/BS could provide the individual with some form of advanced knowledge in the area, or across other areas. Certainly for some being able to hang the letters of MBA after their name, or on their resume may bring different forms of value. As one of the other replies noted, it's the NEW depth of information for fields outside of where your major experience lies <think "comfort zone"> that the MBA helps better prepare you for. Example? My vocation has always been in leadership roles ... not accounting! Spend some time with THEM? What's 2nd prize? A free root canal for two? I knew the basics of accounting ... and drew the line there. Now after have completed my MBA, I not only have a better understanding of the more advanced methods they often would use ... but I am also better equipped to "speak their native language" ... and meet them on their tuff, and do this with comfort! For you ... securing a MBA verses say additional degrees that focus only on accounting, might allows the same scene to be described, except for you ... the paradiagm shift might be in your views toward leadership and why the heck do they do the things they do at times? Ask yourself these questions ... "x amount of years from now ... Do I want to still be in a primarily accounting only roles or focus ... or do I desire to be in some other form of role or responsibilities?" Then ask "What degree program(s) will best prepare me for those opportunities?" Example? My BA is in Social Sciences (Psy./Soc.), the MBA is in ITM (Knowledge Management), and the focus of my Ph.D dissertation work will be <hopefully> something that combines leadership and Org Behavior/KM/etc. Each step of my academic plan expanded options for me, but I had to decide exactly "what" I desired to achieve. So do you ... Billy AA/BA - TESC MBA, Ph.D student - Touro University
I believe the value is that it is an educational program focused on the holistic business enterprise rather than just learning specific processes. This is of some use to executives who must maintain a strategic viewpoint, balancing many societal, technical, and economic factors. Even if graduates forget much of the gritty detail, I think if they can retain an appreciation for thinking critically, using scientific method for problem solving, and learning to SPELL for heaven's sake it would be a positive outcome.
