Anonymous writes:
I’m a journalist with a number of years of daily newspaper experience. I am currently working at a fairly large paper. I’m getting an MBA part-time, and I’ll graduate in about a year. It’s a 36-credit program with no specialties. I am in a dead-end job at my paper, and have no chance of moving forward because of office politics. I’m not sure what I can do with an MBA and my experience. My school does not have career-placement services. I’m considering law school after my MBA. What are my options, with and without law school? Will I potentially earn more money with a law degree?
The Career Doctor responds:
I don’t understand the thinking of job-seekers such as you who enter into a graduate program with no clear career strategy. The MBA will give you certain credentials to open many doors in business to you, especially combined with your years of work experience. The MBA is a symbol to employers that you have the ability to think strategically, analyze situations, formulate plans, and implement plans.
Of course, you could also combine two of your interests and try to move forward with your journalistic career into business reporting, but I sense you may be getting tired of journalism.
One of the current trends in graduate education is the idea of dual graduate degrees, and the MBA/JD is one of the most popular combinations. Many of these folks go into corporate law with all sizes of organizations. The benefit of having the strategic knowledge along with the legal knowledge is very appealing.
You really need to map out a strategy for your career before going any farther. I recommend you read my article, Developing a Strategic Vision for Your Career Plan, published on Quintessential Careers.
And since you are currently in an MBA program, I also recommend reviewing some of the resources we have in the Job and Career Resources for MBAs section of Quintessential Careers. These sites will at least give you an idea of the types of career paths and jobs for job-seekers with MBAs.
