Terrance writes:
I am scheduled to begin my master’s in business administration this spring. However, the ranking of the grad program that I am attending is low; will the ranking of a graduate program affect perspective employers’ perception of me? I do not anticipate working for a Fortune 500 company, but I do wish to be marketable. Thanks.
The Career Doctor responds:
If your ambition is to work at a Fortune 500 or top global corporation, a degree from a “known” program (one in the top of the various rankings) will certainly give you a big edge, but as I have stated on numerous occasions, it is NOT the most qualified job-seeker who get the job, but the most prepared job-seeker who excels in job interviews. To me, rankings are purely public-relations opportunities for the programs and bragging rights for the graduates.
Since your ambition it not working for a Fortune 500 company in the foreseeable future, then the real key is the program’s (and the university’s) reputation in your area. Contact people in your professional organization, local area chambers of commerce, and people in your current company and seek their opinions of the school and its MBA. Contact the school and ask to see a list of alumni placement for the past few years.
Perhaps the bigger question for you is whether an MBA will be worth it for you at this point in your career. For these reasons, I also recommend to you my article: The Master of Business Administration: Is the MBA Worth the Time, Effort, and Cost?
William writes:
I currently live in Pittsburgh, PA. I eventually want to live in Cincinnati, OH. Having said that, I am the process of deciding which MBA program to attend. If I am not going to go to a top-tier school (Ivy League, Maxwell School of Business, Stanford, etc) does it matter which program I attend? My two choices are either University of Pittsburgh or Robert Morris College. University of Pittsburgh is a little bit better known. When it comes
right down to it, do employers look at the degree or the school or both and does it all matter if it isn’t a top-tier school?
The Career Doctor responds:
Both. Unless you are going to a top-tier MBA program, it’s my firm belief that the most
important factors when choosing an MBA program are: (1) scope and breadth of reputation, (2) strength of the MBA placement, (3) fit with education program, and (4) costs and financial assistance.
Scope and breadth of reputation. You should do some research with various employers and recruiters as to the strength of an MBA program. Many schools now offer MBAs, and while the degree is the key, the school’s reputation is critical. And if you are confident that for the next five years or so you are going to live in a certain area, then I would focus my attention on the schools with the greatest reputation in that area. Once you’re about five years out from your MBA, where you got it won’t matter except for bragging rights in the locker room.
Strength of MBA placement. You want an MBA program that can deliver the companies and recruiters to you so that you have multiple job offers. Placement is related to a program’s reputation, but a school can have a solid reputation with a weak placement program. Ask for placement results.
Fit with education program. There are numerous types of MBA programs, from what I call vanilla programs (usually one-year programs) to very specialized MBA for medical
professionals, educational leaders, etc. You need to find a program that offers the specific classes and education you need to move to your next career step.
Costs and financial assistance. The ideal scenario, of course, is when your current employer pays for your MBA. When that’s not the case, you need to take a hard look at the costs, any possible financial assistance, and your expected financial returns from the MBA … think of it as a cost-benefit analysis for each MBA program.
I’ve completed an article on this subject, and it has a lot more depth of information,
analysis, and resources than I can offer in this space. Please read: The Master of Business Administration: Is the MBA Worth the Time, Effort, and Cost?.
Kevin writes:
My wife is pursuing her MBA but has no idea what type of career she would like to put it to use for. Is there a list of the best 100 careers out there that has a job description or something similar?
The Career Doctor responds:
I have taught in an MBA program and been amazed when I hear of students, such as your wife, who don’t really know why they are getting their MBA or what they will do with it once they earn it.
If your wife really has no idea, I would suggest she go to Quintessential Careers: Job Resources for MBAs, where we have gathered the best job and career development (and networking) sites for MBA candidates and grads. I am sure she can not only find some good career leads, but possibly some job leads as well.
Finally, does your wife have any work experience? If not, then I would make sure she starts working immediately. I think one of the toughest sells on the job market is an MBA with no experience — because of the degree, the employer is somewhat obligated to pay the person more than a job-seeker with a bachelor’s degree, but if the job-seeker with the bachelor’s degree has more experience than the one with the MBA, guess which one the employer will hire? The employer gets an employee with experience at a lower salary — a win-win.
Allan writes:
I read an article in Business Week that said that one should
never include the letters MBA after one’s name if one has an MBA degree.
That is the first that I have heard that dictum. Please provide your feedback.
And, yes, I have an MBA degree.
The Career Doctor responds:
I would have to agree. I have seen people use the MBA label after their
names, and I just think it sends the wrong message. Instead of saying
something of the quality of the person’s education, I think it conveys a
message of pretentiousness.
Don’t get me wrong. The MBA is a great degree and a great tool for moving
forward in a business career, but other than that, there is no real status
attached to it, such as to doctoral degrees, including the J.D., M.D., or Ph.D.
Brandon writes:
I am preparing to graduate in May from a top 20 MBA university. My current
employer has supported me and paid $50,000 of the total tuition for this program.
After I graduate, I feel these new credentials will make me worth more and I
would like to ask them for a raise. Is it likely they will give me a raise even
though they covered my tuition expenses or not? If yes, are there any negotiation
tactics that will help receive the raise I feel I deserve.
The Career Doctor responds:
I don’t want to sound too harsh here, but your employer paid a chunk of your
tuition for your MBA; thus you’ve basically gotten this amazing benefit already…
sort of like a very large bonus. But I also understand your feelings because
obtaining an MBA gives you the credentials to earn a much higher salary, and
I am sure as you watch some of the job offers your classmates get, you are
envious of them.
Just about all employers who cover tuition will also recognize the degree
with some sort of raise, but in most of the situations I have seen, that pay
increase is much smaller than the jump you would get if you switched employers
— partly because these employers feel like they have already given you such
a great benefit, and partly because you’re still the same employee (now just
with a new credential).
So, assuming your employer made you agree to stay with the company for a
certain period of time in return for the tuition, you are not in much position to
bargain. That does not mean, however, that you cannot request a meeting
with your supervisor to discuss it.
As with all raise discussions, your focus should be on the salary research
you have done showing the average salaries for job-seekers in your industry
and profession (and location) with a newly minted MBA. Logic and research
always make more convincing arguments than asking for a raise for personal
reasons (such as deserving it because all your classmates are getting such
great offers).
I’m hopeful your employer will be one of the handful that gives you more than
a token raise, but be prepared for that to happen.
And for those folks with an MBA that are looking for some online resources,
check out this section of Quintessential Careers:
Job and Career
Resources for Job-Seekers with MBAs.
Kimberly writes:
I graduated from a MBA program with honors in December and have been
unsuccessful in my job search. Thus far, I have done the following: (1) networked
through associates and friends; (2) attended career fairs; (3) applied for positions
online that are posted to corporation’s websites or my university’s job postings.
I have not had an interview since December. Can you provide any advice?
The Career Doctor responds:
My best suggestion for you would be to run immediately to the career center
of the university from which you earned your MBA. There is obviously something
wrong with your job-search, and I don’t have enough clues from your question.
If I were making a guess based on similar questions I have received from MBAs
in your same position, I would say it probably relates to three things: no or
limited job experience, a poor or underdeveloped network, an unfocused resume.
If you have no job experience, immediately seek some out through volunteering, consulting, or temporary work. Employers expect undergrads to have job
experience — so you can only imagine how much they expect from a MBA.
If your network has not led to any kind of results, then either your network is
weak, or you are not using it correctly. Besides the usual family, friends, co-workers, professors, etc., have you joined one or more ? You
need to get more involved with your networking.
How’s your resume? I suggest getting it critiqued from a professional — either a
resume expert or someone from your field. An unfocused resume will not get
you job interviews.
Here’s where you can find other useful information from Quintessential Careers:
Job and Career
Resources for Job-Seekers with MBAs.
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