Around The Business Channel: Why Bother Getting An MBA?
April 5, 2008 by Darlene McDaniel
Filed under Jobs
Degree or no degree, that is a question? Do you have an MBA? Are you pursuing and MBA? Should you pursue an MBA? Recently I found a post on BizLevity, one of our newer blogs here at the Business Channel, MBA No Guarantee of Success, Pace University Says. I am not attempting to discredit this survey done by Pace University, but it boggles my mind when I hear things like this. Ok, so many of the successful CEO’s don’t have an MBA. Is that the reason you shouldn’t get one? My life experience has taught me that education opens doors. Without it, you have no guarantee that anyone will answer the door or open the door if you don’t have a piece of paper that says you completed your education. An MBA is a key that opens different doors than your 4 year diploma.
Why bother getting an MBA?
*Because you want one
*Promotional opportunities
*Differentiate you from other equally qualified candidates for jobs you are competing for
*More options available to you, up to and including entrepreneurship
*Executive level positions
*More knowledge
*More money
None of these things are a guarantee that you will be successful. None of these reasons is a silver bullet.
According to an article by Eve Tahmincioglu, MBA Not Always Key to Landing a Plum Job, “A more recent poll conducted by Pace University professors Aron Gottesman and Matthew R. Morey found that out of 488 top companies surveyed only 159 had CEOs with MBAs at the helm.” I don’t understand why this would be the reason to suggest that the MBA is not necessary. An MBA will not guarantee a plum job, or success. You are the key to your success in business, with or without a degree, with or without an MBA. But don’t let naysayers sway you from pursuing an MBA or any other degree if that is what you believe you need to be successful in business.
Do you have an MBA? Why did you pursue it? How did it help you in business or in your current career? Share your story. Your comment will be your entry into the business channel contest this month. Click here for more details about the contest.
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I agree with each and every one of your reasons to get an MBA, Darlene.
IMHO, having an MBA is like having a rich uncle — all else being equal, it’s still better to have one than not have one. :)
I think the MSNBC article you cited belongs in the file with other articles like: “Pouring Hot Coffee On Your Lap Not Always Key to Winning Big Lawsuit” and “Having Hot Car Is No Guarantee You’ll Get Laid.” :)