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Message
Spin-Off: BS in Engineering Paired with MBA
Posted on 7/29/16 at 12:47 pm
Posted on 7/29/16 at 12:47 pm
Spinoff from the LSUS MBA thread, which I've read through. Looking for feedback from people who have a BS in engineering and have obtained an MBA. How do you feel that the MBA has advanced your career?
I graduated with a chemical eng degree, and have been working for 4 years as a design/consultant process engineer. I'll be making a switch from process design to production/operational engineering.
I'm starting a new job soon for a chemical operator, and they will pay $7500 per year in tuition reimbursement. After doing a little research, I could get an online MBA from Auburn, a top 10 online program, for about $3000-4000 per year out of pocket over three years after the company reimbursement.
At this point, I'm not sure whether I want to go into upper management in the future or stay on the technical side of things. A lot of managers and business line directors that I have worked with don't even have a masters degree. I feel like with the current free education topic in politics, a masters may become more important in setting myself apart. I just feel that I shouldn't pass up this tuition reimbursement benefit with the new company. Does anyone on here have any feedback for the path they chose, and how you feel an MBA helped or had little impact to your career. What other masters degrees pair well with an engineering degree?
I graduated with a chemical eng degree, and have been working for 4 years as a design/consultant process engineer. I'll be making a switch from process design to production/operational engineering.
I'm starting a new job soon for a chemical operator, and they will pay $7500 per year in tuition reimbursement. After doing a little research, I could get an online MBA from Auburn, a top 10 online program, for about $3000-4000 per year out of pocket over three years after the company reimbursement.
At this point, I'm not sure whether I want to go into upper management in the future or stay on the technical side of things. A lot of managers and business line directors that I have worked with don't even have a masters degree. I feel like with the current free education topic in politics, a masters may become more important in setting myself apart. I just feel that I shouldn't pass up this tuition reimbursement benefit with the new company. Does anyone on here have any feedback for the path they chose, and how you feel an MBA helped or had little impact to your career. What other masters degrees pair well with an engineering degree?
This post was edited on 7/29/16 at 12:52 pm
5
Posted on 7/29/16 at 1:00 pm to elleshoo9
(no message)
This post was edited on 8/5/16 at 12:58 pm
Posted on 7/29/16 at 1:14 pm to FunroePete
I'm 27, four years in the workforce, about to start the new job in the greater New Orleans area at a chemical plant. Fortune 500 company. Probably will live in LA or the southeast my whole working career.
I really don't know if I want to stay on the technical side of engineering or go into management. The new company offers $7500 per year in tuition reimbursement, so I feel like I should take advantage of that. Getting a degree from a top 10 online program like Auburn for only $4000 per year out of pocket for three years seems pretty good, especially if I do decide to go to management later.
I really don't know if I want to stay on the technical side of engineering or go into management. The new company offers $7500 per year in tuition reimbursement, so I feel like I should take advantage of that. Getting a degree from a top 10 online program like Auburn for only $4000 per year out of pocket for three years seems pretty good, especially if I do decide to go to management later.
Posted on 7/29/16 at 1:21 pm to elleshoo9
Engineers are honestly the perfect candidates for MBAs. I have a lot of them in my class.
It will allow you to move out of the technical side of the business and into management. Whether that be strategy, operations, product development, etc., it is the degree and skill set that will enable the move.
Auburn will not be viewed as a top 10 school. When you look at rankings, prestige comes from the full-time program and that is what should guide your viewpoint on how the market will view the prestige. Full stop.
If you want prestige, then you like need to attend a program that is top 20. Otherwise, everything becomes strong regional programs in the 30-40s. 50s+ become local programs. A perfect example is Foster (Univ. of Washington) which is ranked in the mid 30s. The program is honestly one of the best in the country if you goal is to live in Seattle and get in with Costco/Amazon/Starbucks/Microsoft/etc. which are based there. If you goal is to work for Coca-Cola, then Emory/GA Tech/UGA are going to be light years better even though they are similar in rankings. These are strong regional programs but lose the luster when you move. To be completely transparent, even some Top 15 programs are borderline regional/national. UVA and Duke are both amazing schools but they still place mostly on the East coast and the South. Texas is going to have a stronghold throughout the South as well. The brands that are truly national is a pretty short list (HBS, GSB, Wharton, Kellogg, Booth are the strongest followed by Tuck, Ross, Columbia, Haas). From the sounds of it, these types of programs are of less interest for you.
There is not a singular answer here. A lot depends on career aspirations and the amount of national or global mobility you want to have with your resume. Additionally, it matters whether you want to work at F500 firms or local privates. These POVs will provide you the context you need for your decision along with how much you should be willing to pay for it.
A nationally prestigious part-time program will run $100-130k all-in (not including travel) costs, FWIW.
If you are stuck on online programs, look at UNC Kenan-Flagler and UCLA FEMBA. Cornell also have a lot of regional MBA locations that possibly work for you. UNC is online and a pretty good brand. UCLA is a great brand but will require some trips to LA (IIRC, 30-40% of the material is online). Hope this helps.
It will allow you to move out of the technical side of the business and into management. Whether that be strategy, operations, product development, etc., it is the degree and skill set that will enable the move.
Auburn will not be viewed as a top 10 school. When you look at rankings, prestige comes from the full-time program and that is what should guide your viewpoint on how the market will view the prestige. Full stop.
If you want prestige, then you like need to attend a program that is top 20. Otherwise, everything becomes strong regional programs in the 30-40s. 50s+ become local programs. A perfect example is Foster (Univ. of Washington) which is ranked in the mid 30s. The program is honestly one of the best in the country if you goal is to live in Seattle and get in with Costco/Amazon/Starbucks/Microsoft/etc. which are based there. If you goal is to work for Coca-Cola, then Emory/GA Tech/UGA are going to be light years better even though they are similar in rankings. These are strong regional programs but lose the luster when you move. To be completely transparent, even some Top 15 programs are borderline regional/national. UVA and Duke are both amazing schools but they still place mostly on the East coast and the South. Texas is going to have a stronghold throughout the South as well. The brands that are truly national is a pretty short list (HBS, GSB, Wharton, Kellogg, Booth are the strongest followed by Tuck, Ross, Columbia, Haas). From the sounds of it, these types of programs are of less interest for you.
There is not a singular answer here. A lot depends on career aspirations and the amount of national or global mobility you want to have with your resume. Additionally, it matters whether you want to work at F500 firms or local privates. These POVs will provide you the context you need for your decision along with how much you should be willing to pay for it.
A nationally prestigious part-time program will run $100-130k all-in (not including travel) costs, FWIW.
If you are stuck on online programs, look at UNC Kenan-Flagler and UCLA FEMBA. Cornell also have a lot of regional MBA locations that possibly work for you. UNC is online and a pretty good brand. UCLA is a great brand but will require some trips to LA (IIRC, 30-40% of the material is online). Hope this helps.
This post was edited on 7/29/16 at 1:29 pm
Posted on 7/29/16 at 1:24 pm to elleshoo9
I can tell you my wife is a quality manager at a Fortune 500 company plant, and she doesn't have an MBA and has no plans on getting one. The only job it'll prevent her from getting at the plant is basically plant manager, and she has no interest in that job. I do think the current production manager has an MBA, but I'm under the impression it's not a requirement.
I'd say it really depends on if you want to move to the business side or move to corporate. If you plan on staying in manufacturing, it's probably not necessarily, but that ultimately depends on your goals at the company.
But if you want to spend all the time it takes, then go for it. I don't see how it could be a negative for you in the future.
I'd say it really depends on if you want to move to the business side or move to corporate. If you plan on staying in manufacturing, it's probably not necessarily, but that ultimately depends on your goals at the company.
But if you want to spend all the time it takes, then go for it. I don't see how it could be a negative for you in the future.
Posted on 7/29/16 at 1:27 pm to elleshoo9
quote:
online MBA
I would not recommend this unless you only need the "MBA box" checked. You will miss out on the biggest advantage of an MBA program.. Networking.
quote:
from Auburn, a top 10 online program
IMHO, no employer will be concerned how your online program compares to other online programs. Generally, it's top 20, then everything else.
quote:
I'm not sure whether I want to go into upper management in the future or stay on the technical side of things
Figure this out before you make a decision. You need to know what your end goal is before making any large financial or time obligations.
quote:
Does anyone on here have any feedback for the path they chose, and how you feel an MBA helped
I have an engineering degree from LSU. I just completed UGA's PMBA program. The MBA opened doors outside of engineering while I was in the program. It has allowed me to transition into a role closer the "business" rather than the technical side of the operation.
My recommendation is not to get an online MBA unless you need the box checked to move into management. It sounds like you are early in your career, and can benefit from the networking aspect.
I'm 25 fwiw.. So my perspective may differ from others on here.
Posted on 7/29/16 at 1:30 pm to LSUTOM07
quote:
LSUTOM07
I echo everything this poster said. Spot on from my POV.
Online is the option if you want to check a box. PMBA or FT are the options if you want a bit more from it.
This post was edited on 7/29/16 at 1:32 pm
Posted on 7/29/16 at 1:39 pm to lynxcat
Well the reason I'm considering getting one is the $7500 per year reimbursement from my new employer. I'm not doing a full time MBA because that would require quitting work for a couple years and pay for it on my own.
It's not ticking a box for me, it's learning whatever an MBA teaches you. I understand that I could learn a lot of this stuff on my own, but then I wouldn't have a certificate to prove to any future employers that I've learned the material.
I'm not trying to network. I can do that on my own. I'm trying to learn something and obtain a certificate (degree) saying I've learned it.
FYI I'm in New Orleans and will probably stay in LA or the southeast for my working career
It's not ticking a box for me, it's learning whatever an MBA teaches you. I understand that I could learn a lot of this stuff on my own, but then I wouldn't have a certificate to prove to any future employers that I've learned the material.
I'm not trying to network. I can do that on my own. I'm trying to learn something and obtain a certificate (degree) saying I've learned it.
FYI I'm in New Orleans and will probably stay in LA or the southeast for my working career
This post was edited on 7/29/16 at 1:41 pm
Posted on 7/29/16 at 1:55 pm to lynxcat
I've looked at Tulane and it would be way more money out of pocket for me.
I will only get $7500 in reimbursement per year, and the nice thing about an online program is I can string it out and make the most of the reimbursement.
I will only get $7500 in reimbursement per year, and the nice thing about an online program is I can string it out and make the most of the reimbursement.
Posted on 7/29/16 at 2:01 pm to elleshoo9
quote:
Well the reason I'm considering getting one is the $7500 per year reimbursement from my new employer.
If this is your main reason.. you are less likely to see a career impact after receiving the MBA.
quote:
it's learning whatever an MBA teaches you
An MBA is an extremely high level overview of many different aspects of business. In my experience, it allowed me to speak to many different topics. That being said, I am not competent in any of these topics from only course work. This is not engineering school. Don't expect to master anything in MBA school by simply attending the program.
quote:
I'm not trying to network. I can do that on my own.
I disagree with this. No matter how outgoing you are, you will be hard pressed to surround yourself with 50-100 like minded individuals of varying ages and disciplines. You will meet all of your colleagues and friends of friends through networking events and drinks after class. If you want to stay in your industry with no interest in meeting contacts from outside, this may not be appealing. If you are interested in exploring other opportunities, this will pay off way more than everything you can learn in MBA school combined. It's not what you know, it's who you know.
Posted on 7/29/16 at 2:04 pm to elleshoo9
I finished the PMBA program at Tulane many moons ago. We had a class of about 30-35 and the vast majority were engineers from Chevron, BASF, etc. (Although, I am not an engineer). Many told me it was a critical part of their career advancement. Based on what I know about them, then and now, I would recommend moving forward while you are young and have a company willing to pay.
Even with that being the case, don't underestimate the networking component of a PMBA program. The networking is not limited to your fellow incoming students, but also includes many of your professors and alumni clubs. I am still in touch with lots of people from my time at Tulane many years later, and owe a large part of my "later in life," career change to the program and the friends I made there.
I can't speak to the online portion of the conversation, as those programs were limited to University of Phoenix when I was in school. When I was considering applying for the PMBA program, a wise friend told me that more education can never hurt you. It may never help you, but it cannot hurt you. What have you got to lose? Sign up for the GMAT and get moving.
ETA: The Tulane PMBA program has a longer time limit than you think. I had some family issues while I was in school and took 3 years to finish. The classes mirror the full time program, so I even took a few daytime classes with the full time students. Take the amount of classes up to your reimbursement limit and take your time to finish.
Even with that being the case, don't underestimate the networking component of a PMBA program. The networking is not limited to your fellow incoming students, but also includes many of your professors and alumni clubs. I am still in touch with lots of people from my time at Tulane many years later, and owe a large part of my "later in life," career change to the program and the friends I made there.
I can't speak to the online portion of the conversation, as those programs were limited to University of Phoenix when I was in school. When I was considering applying for the PMBA program, a wise friend told me that more education can never hurt you. It may never help you, but it cannot hurt you. What have you got to lose? Sign up for the GMAT and get moving.
ETA: The Tulane PMBA program has a longer time limit than you think. I had some family issues while I was in school and took 3 years to finish. The classes mirror the full time program, so I even took a few daytime classes with the full time students. Take the amount of classes up to your reimbursement limit and take your time to finish.
This post was edited on 7/29/16 at 2:14 pm
Posted on 7/29/16 at 2:41 pm to LSUTOM07
quote:
LSUTOM07
No offense meant to the OP, but he is really missing the boat on the reason for getting a MBA. I agree with all that you posted above.
Posted on 7/29/16 at 2:48 pm to elleshoo9
I graduated from LSU with a B.S. in EE and went to work in Dallas after graduation for a defense contractor. During my time there, they offered a program where they would partner with SMU to pay for an Executive MBA. 100% reimbursement - I couldn't refuse. I left the company shortly after graduating with the MBA, but it helped me get my next job in Tulsa. The hiring manager at my current company also had an MBA from SMU, and that surely helped. The skills I learned during business school helped me transition from a technical role into a business role, while still be able to talk to internal Engineering groups and outside vendors alike. Even the pay scale for hiring on was higher based on having an MBA. So I can say that since it was free, it was certainly worth the investment, but even if I had to pay for the entire bill ($70k), then it would have been worth it because it got my foot in the door, increased my starting salary, and helped me get into management. It's a good combination to have and one that makes you attractive to many companies, so I would highly recommend it.
Posted on 7/29/16 at 3:11 pm to elleshoo9
quote:
I will only get $7500 in reimbursement per year, and the nice thing about an online program is I can string it out and make the most of the reimbursement.
I don't really see the point of the thread then... If it's free, and you just want the certificate, then go do it??
Posted on 7/29/16 at 3:13 pm to lynxcat
quote:
No offense meant to the OP, but he is really missing the boat on the reason for getting a MBA. I agree with all that you posted above.
Taking this new job and staying in New Orleans, there aren't many quality local options for a part time MBA.
LSUTOM07, did your UGA PMBA open doors due to a direct network connection, or because you learned aspects of business management that you didn't know fully before and your company valued this additional knowledge?
I get that who you know is very important and a traditional or PMBA offers way better networking opportunities, but networking doesn't seem worth the $70-100k in out of pocket tuition. If I can stretch the Tulane PMBA over 3 to 4 years to get more company reimbursement, then I'd definitely consider that.
But the way y'all make it sound, the business management knowledge that you learn via a solid online program is worthless compared to the networking from a traditional program. It sounds like you're the ones checking a box for a networking opportunity, while I'd like to learn business management from an accredited, solid-name online program.
I guess I have an underlying feeling that being in engineering, networking with other engineers and engineering management is more important than networking with non-engineering business professionals.
This post was edited on 7/29/16 at 3:24 pm
Posted on 7/29/16 at 3:25 pm to TheIndulger
quote:
I don't really see the point of the thread then... If it's free, and you just want the certificate, then go do it??
The point of the thread was asking other engineers how obtaining an MBA affected their careers. Read the OP. The thread has since been hijacked to talked about how online MBAs aren't worth shite compared to traditional
This post was edited on 7/29/16 at 3:26 pm
Posted on 7/29/16 at 3:26 pm to elleshoo9
Yeah but I don't see why you wouldn't do it if it's free. Because it's a waste of time?
Posted on 7/29/16 at 3:32 pm to TheIndulger
Well it wouldn't be 100% free. Depending on the program, I'd probably have to pay 33-50% of the cost.
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