I hold a BBA in International Business and will soon earn my MS in Banking and Financial Services. Considering I have a significant amount of education benefits remaining, I would like to pursue a second Masters. I do not have an interest in teaching full time (although I would be interested in teaching part-time later in life). I am fortunate to work at a top-tier firm in my industry, so this third degree is mostly for personal interest and only partly CV-driven. I was recently accepted to a top 25 economics program and a top 25 MBA program, which do you think I should pursue? Or should I just say screw the second Masters and start studying for the CFA? Thanks!
If I was in your situation I would opt for the Economics degree. I suspect the MBA would repeat a lot of content you covered in the two degrees that you already earned. My observation is that lots of people earn MBAs but far fewer earn Economics degrees. Besides that I find economics interesting as I try to follow national and world politics and events.
Well, are you a Financial Analyst currently? Or trying to be one? Next question is, is your employer paying for the education currently? I will make some assumptions and offer a recommendation. I will assume you are already working as an Analyst and looking to move up the ranks. I would go after the MBA and the CFA, that would make you stand out from the other Candidates as I-Banking is pretty intense with the competition for jobs. The Top 25 MBA along with passing all three parts of the CFA, that's your automatic ticket to a long standing career in I-Banking, especially if you are already within the industry.
Top 25 MBA may not be worth the money. If it is like 15-25 it could be questionable, because at that point its good school prices without the rankings. Without knowing specifically, I'd say if its top 10, mba, if its not top 10, go applied econ. Ranking is really important for the MBA.
If it were me, I'd do the applied econ degree. MBA's are relatively commonplace, economists not so much. The econ degree will dovetail very nicely with the financial degrees, and would "set you apart." My 2 cents... Good luck!
There are master degrees out there designed specifically to pass the CFA's exams. However, If you take that route then you most likely received the MBA/CFA instead of the M.econ. The CFA is the better route.
Hi all, thanks for the responses. Since it seems brand name is a considerable factor, I'll clarify the institutions: UNC Kenan-Flager (MBA) vs. Johns Hopkins (MS, Applied Economics, Concentration: Financial Economics) vs. IE Business School (MBA) Also, my Post 9/11 GI bill will cover nearly the full cost of both programs, and therefore (fortunately) price is not a major concern. Thanks.
