Is Getting an MBA Worth It? Part 2
June 23, 2008 – 6:16 am
This post is part two of my four part series on the value of an MBA.
Compensation isn’t the only reason to pursue an MBA. Actually, I think compensation is the worst reason on which to base this decision. It’s kind of like deciding to enter the military in order to qualify for a pension. I think having a pension is a great thing, especially one as stable as a U.S. government pension. But should you choose your career based on that? I don’t think so. It’s too much work (and perhaps danger) to do it unless you feel a calling.
Personal Benefits
This factor was the key decision-maker for me. I love to read and learn, and I enjoy school. As I’ve mentioned before, one of my StrengthsFinder strengths is Learner. I had been reading every business and investment book I could get my hands on for six years prior to going back to school, and I was soaking it all in.
So the key benefit for me in this whole plan was to learn how to run a business. A secondary personal goal was to become a sophisticated investor. It was great exposure to different types of people, new ideas, and new skills. Some people will tell you that the only thing you will get out of business school is a network for the future. They will say that the classes are a waste of time and are outdated. Those people are losers. If you go to school and work hard to learn things, you will.
I had two majors as an undergrad: physics and computer science. Yup, I’m a geek squared. 
In physics I had difficultly learning the material and internalizing it, and I didn’t have a clear goal in mind or a passion for the subject after a while. Thus I made it through my classes, but I don’t remember much of the material.
Computer Science, however, was a love. I would have learned that material for free. I loved working on the projects, lab assignments, helping my friends who struggled with things, etc. It was the easiest major on the planet as far as I could tell. To me it felt like everything was easy versus physics, because in physics you never see the same type of problem twice.
I can remember everything I was taught in my computer science program. Non-traditional programming languages (LISP), core data structures, NP-complete algorithms, Unix scripting commands. It’s all still up here in my head, bouncing around.
If you go back to school to check a box, get a new credential for the resume, and don’t apply yourself, you’re giving the rest of us a bad name. And employers will eventually figure out that you’re a slacker and you’ll be back where you started. If you return to school and actually work to learn new skills and become more valuable, you will succeed.
In the next day or two I’ll be writing the next post in this series on the cost of pursuing an MBA and the “Full-Time vs. Part-Time” question.
Image Credit: gadgetdude
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5 Responses to “Is Getting an MBA Worth It? Part 2”
I think its worth to have MBA. Its worth for our job.
By titan on Jun 23, 2008
Great series. I included a link to this article in my weekly roundup. Given I am about to start my MBA journey, this series is very timely.
By AndyS on Jul 6, 2008