After MBA ??

I just finished my online MBA in IT with Aspen University and considering the next steps that I could take.

While I am employed full time(in IT) and don't want to leave my job for studies here are the few things that come up in my mind

1) continue with the career path (may be the MBA will add value - need to see!!)
2) higher studies(online; maybe part time): a) kind of science program(in IT/IS/IM) so to get MS-MBA combination b) Doctorate in business

I hope there are many people who had crossed this stage in their life. I would highly appreciate if they can shed some light on this issue.

thanks in advance
ragu

 

Ragu,

Since you are in IT, I can give you my opinion of an IT professional for the past 17 years. The IT market won't pay you two master's or a PhD unless you get into research with a fortune 500 corporation and this type of jobs are normally only available if you hold a M.S or PhD from a top tier University.
Getting a second master? Why would you this? the only reason I can think is self improvement or getting a degree from a top tier University to break into research with a first class corporation.
A PhD or DBA in business is good if you are planning to teach but if your MBA is from a low tier probably you will get into a low tier DBA or PhD that won't do much for you in the teaching business (having two low tier graduate degrees won't impress too much in the already saturated field of adjunct business professors).

If you want to get a qualification that can boost your salary in the IT business, I would go for a recognized certification as the CISSP or CISA. These types of certifications have a ROI far much better than a Master's or PhD from a low tier.

 

What about a post-MBA Masters in Global Management (M-GM) from Thunderbird School of Global Management?
http://www.thunderbird.edu/prospective_students/ft_degrees/post_mba/index.htm

 

Make sure you look at the admissions requirements:

"To become a Post MBA full-time student requires completing an MBA at another AACSB accredited school or a specific MBA program approved by Thunderbird. You must meet all Thunderbird admission standards."

I also have given some thought on after my MBA. Not sure what I will do but it will not be a doctorate!

 

RFvalve,

I agree with you mostly. On boosting the salary in IT, I thought this MBA would help little bit as well. Do you think it still makes sense to get CISSP/CISA on top of MBA?

 

If you have the burning desire to contribute to a field by doing some research then do the Ph.D. or DBA route.

Otherwise, do a masters in IT or some IT certifications such as a software architect, prince 2, or even a certificate which requires several online courses such as security. You also might consider studying something online which is directly related to the business area of your company which you could discuss with your manager.

Or, you can always try learning a foreign language or a musical instrument. Berklee College of Music has some really good online music courses.
http://www.berkleemusic.com

I am already thinking about what to do next after I finish my MBA

 

Of course, the MBA is becoming just another certification in my opinion. It is nice to have it but it won't do much for you if you don't couple it with more industrial oriented certifications like CISSP, CISA or PMP. PMP is nice to have nowadays or CISSP.

Getting more degrees from Aspen is only a good idea for self improvement but don't expect the market to pay for this

In my opinion, MS and MBAs are losing value in the world of IT as a MS earned in 1990 is almost obsolete in 2007. Certifications normally require to update your skills and this adds a lot of credibility if you are into consulting.

At least in Canada, the government is not going to give you any consulting work if you are not PMP or CISSP in security.

 

The problem with DL, is that you always feel that you can continue as you are used to study after working at home. However, I agree with you that one should get more education in fields like languages, music, arts.

I'm considering myself a degree in UFOlogy or methaphysics just for fun and the get my head out a bit of business and technology.

 

Being mentally well-rounded has its benefits. Then again, earning your MBA degree may have made you more well-rounded in another sense and now it's time for a while to hit the gym or to join that tae-kwon-do studio you drive by every day.

 

I agree, after all that sitting for studies I gained like 20 pounds. It is time to join the gym and forget about useless degrees.

 

Good for you! I try to workout everyday except Sunday in one form or another. If I cannot hit the gym then 30 minutes of brisk walking will have to do. It is so easy to gain weight that I must monitor my weight very carefully. Still trying to recover from too many Super Bowl activities in South Florida!

 

I can relate to this thread.....I am at the end of my MBA and at the end of my belt as well.

 

How about DL IT certification courses from brand name universities like Harvard and Stanford? I think Harvard has some ALM program(honestly did not do my research on this yet)

As you move up the ladder in management this will give some weightage. Actually I know of a senior IT manager who doesn't have a strong academic qualification but has one such certification from Harvard. He was able to rise up to CIO level.

Just trying to understand the views of experts around here. Maybe someone has first hand experience with people who have done similar things.

Yes, I need to hit the Gym as well

 

I'm only halfway through my MBA and my belts are smaller -- when do y'all find time to eat?

 

You might be on to something there. I can see it now on TV:

Coach's MBA Diet. "Lose weight by degrees."

I am going to try a triathlon this summer in Miami. Nothing big, substitutes kayaking for swimming but should be fun.

 

If you are looking for job options, consider the PMP (really hot right now) also as RF said the CISA is a great option but work experience might be awkward.

I am at Aspen now doing both the MSIS and MBA-PM...after that I am looking at a break or an M.Ed (either CMU onsite in Canada or Fort Hayes online).

 

ragu, which part of the IT business do you prefer/enjoy? Do you want to go into IT management or stay in the technology-based part of the business?

 

IT Management; but I guess you need a good grasp of technology to be effective. Thats the reason I want MS-MBA combination.

 

I am in a very similar position. I have been in IT for 6+ years and recently completed an MBA. I considered it to be a quality program, but because it was 4th tier, it did not provide the lift to my career that I was expecting. If I had it to do over, I would have attempted to make it into a top 30 MBA program. I didn’t want to make a similar mistake for the MSIT so I went for the highest ranked distance program I could find. Unfortunately, the quality of the program is more important for the MBA than the MSIT (IMHO). I may be insane, but if I have anything left after the MSIT, I may consider applying to top 20 EMBA programs with the intention of upgrading my MBA. If I were you and had another degree in me, I would go for a regionally accredited MSIT program with solid name recognition. Also, I agree that PMP would be a good idea.

 

How do you like the Carnegie-Mellon MSIT?