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Started By
Message
Thoughts on taking a gap year to work with a non-business degree before MBA?
Posted on 3/27/17 at 4:47 pm
Posted on 3/27/17 at 4:47 pm
I won't bore you all with all the details, but I am about to graduate with a 3.95 GPA from LSU with a biology degree. For years I considered pharmacy school, PT school, and recently PA school. I'm a good candidate for these programs, but they are very expensive compared to getting an MBA from LSU, and I realized late in my college career that I may not be as well suited for these careers in the health profession as I may have once thought.
I plan to take a gap year after graduation to pay off my undergrad student debt ($~7,000) so I can be debt free if/when I decide to go back to school and help boost my credit rating. I currently have two job opportunities in the works--one to be a sales rep and one to be a bank teller, although I'm not entirely sure which one would be the better one to choose from at this point. My question for the knowledgeable people of this board is this: do you think a career path change such as this is doable? Is an MBA (conc in finance or human relations is what I would probably look into) worth it anymore? I figure if I was going to grad school anyway, an MBA might even be more affordable than the other health-field options.
At the end of the day, I know I need to find a career that pays the bills. Stopping at the bachelor's level in biology is not liekly going to cut it. I'd be getting myself deep into the red if I ever went to med school, PA school, and/or PT school. I would still accrue debt for the MBA program at LSU (~$35,000), but that's much less than $100,000+ like it would be for the others. I'm at a point in my life where I don't exactly know what the smart thing to do is right now, and it's not exactly where I envisioned myself at this point.
I plan to take a gap year after graduation to pay off my undergrad student debt ($~7,000) so I can be debt free if/when I decide to go back to school and help boost my credit rating. I currently have two job opportunities in the works--one to be a sales rep and one to be a bank teller, although I'm not entirely sure which one would be the better one to choose from at this point. My question for the knowledgeable people of this board is this: do you think a career path change such as this is doable? Is an MBA (conc in finance or human relations is what I would probably look into) worth it anymore? I figure if I was going to grad school anyway, an MBA might even be more affordable than the other health-field options.
At the end of the day, I know I need to find a career that pays the bills. Stopping at the bachelor's level in biology is not liekly going to cut it. I'd be getting myself deep into the red if I ever went to med school, PA school, and/or PT school. I would still accrue debt for the MBA program at LSU (~$35,000), but that's much less than $100,000+ like it would be for the others. I'm at a point in my life where I don't exactly know what the smart thing to do is right now, and it's not exactly where I envisioned myself at this point.
This post was edited on 3/27/17 at 4:48 pm
13
Posted on 3/27/17 at 4:59 pm to schwartzy
quote:
Is an MBA (conc in finance or human relations is what I would probably look into) worth it anymore?
Define worth it? I'd take a longer gap. Go out and work 5-7 years then do an EMBA or online one. Work experience is imperative.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 5:02 pm to Paul Allen
By worth it I just meant is it still generally regarded as a worthy investment? Would it get me a foot in the door where I would have not otherwise had one? I know in the past it was novel, but all the online MBAs everywhere make it almost look not so. I wouldn't trust online MBAs from what I heard, and you wouldn't make the connections in person anyway.
More time working could be necessary, I can agree with that.
More time working could be necessary, I can agree with that.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 5:29 pm to schwartzy
I think it's a fine idea to take a year off to work, and I'd consider taking even more if you're still not sure what it is you want to do career wise. I wouldn't jump into an MBA without having at least an idea of what your goals are with it.
An MBA from a respected school still has value, though they're starting to become a dime a dozen. It's good to have one though if you want to move up the corporate ladder.
An MBA from a respected school still has value, though they're starting to become a dime a dozen. It's good to have one though if you want to move up the corporate ladder.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 5:30 pm to schwartzy
I think the average age of my class is 28-29.
Is it worth it? Depends on your career goals. Median salary at your top 30 or so schools is above $100k and around $120k+ at the top 15.
Getting an MBA 1 year after undergrad is not wise in my opinion. Better to go get some real world experience, get a good GMAT score, and try for a good school in a few years.
Is it worth it? Depends on your career goals. Median salary at your top 30 or so schools is above $100k and around $120k+ at the top 15.
Getting an MBA 1 year after undergrad is not wise in my opinion. Better to go get some real world experience, get a good GMAT score, and try for a good school in a few years.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 5:40 pm to schwartzy
MBA isnt one of those degrees where you get it immediately after BS
Posted on 3/27/17 at 5:51 pm to The Spleen
quote:
I think it's a fine idea to take a year off to work, and I'd consider taking even more if you're still not sure what it is you want to do career wise. I wouldn't jump into an MBA without having at least an idea of what your goals are with it.
This.
quote:
they're starting to become a dime a dozen
They were saying the same thing twenty years ago. But yes, going to a well-recognized program is important because of what companies recruit there.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 7:09 pm to Azazello
Listen to Azazello. He knows what he is talking about.
This thread is a can of worms on different ideas of what is the "best" path.
A few things everyone can agree on:
- Get more than one year of work experience. At minimum, two years is required to get into most top full time programs.
- Ideally, get 4-6 years of experience and that makes you attractive for full time programs as well as weekend/part time programs. Online programs generally have lower entry standards.
- Know why you are getting it before getting into the program. You need to have an exit plan because that will have a drastic impact on the program that makes sense for you.
Full disclosure: I highly recommend attending at least a Top 30 program, ideally Top 20.
This thread is a can of worms on different ideas of what is the "best" path.
A few things everyone can agree on:
- Get more than one year of work experience. At minimum, two years is required to get into most top full time programs.
- Ideally, get 4-6 years of experience and that makes you attractive for full time programs as well as weekend/part time programs. Online programs generally have lower entry standards.
- Know why you are getting it before getting into the program. You need to have an exit plan because that will have a drastic impact on the program that makes sense for you.
Full disclosure: I highly recommend attending at least a Top 30 program, ideally Top 20.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 8:04 pm to schwartzy
If you want to get a masters degree at LSU with a business focus just do a Masters of Finance. It'll only take one year and you'll have good job prospects if you're staying in Louisiana.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 8:11 pm to lynxcat
I would second the more work experience before getting an MBA if you dont specifically know what you want to do. Most of the time if you get on with a good company they help pay for grad school. I personally prefer not to be in debt to go to school. I would make a job choice based on potential for them paying for or at least helping with a degree as a lot of major company offer these types of incentives. I am currently attending LSUS online MBA program. My goal is management in the insurance field and I have 5 years work experience. I have discussed getting my degree with several managers at my company and they say it'll really help me move up.
This post was edited on 3/27/17 at 8:12 pm
Posted on 3/27/17 at 8:33 pm to bmcmil2
If you aren't absolutely positive the MBA is what you want, absolutely take a year off. As said it's often times preferred you get some experience.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 8:37 pm to bmcmil2
One of those professional programs at LSU- health science center wouldn't be too bad financially especially if you take a year off beforehand to work and save money.
Posted on 3/27/17 at 8:44 pm to schwartzy
Get a job....NOT as a bank teller. Sales might be good, as you will quickly find out whether you're cut out for it. if I were in your shoes, I'd be looking for international experience, to broaden horizons/worldview, for fun, and to learn about what you do and don't like. You sound like you've done what's expected of you, without much questioning.
Or hey, join the military....
Or hey, join the military....
Posted on 3/27/17 at 10:10 pm to schwartzy
Doing an MBA for the sake of doing an MBA is a bad idea IMO. If you have a targeted end goal, then it might make sense. Say you work as a sales rep for a year and you're on the right track and have found your calling. Going back for the MBA at that stage would be absolutely pointless.
If you have a targeted career in mind, then pursue a degree more closely related to that, and not necessarily locally if you are sure about it. The more targeted the program, the better for your long term career goals.
Let's say you were set on a career in pharmaceuticals. Rather than picking up a generic MBA, I'd pick a targeted program like Rutgers MBA in Pharmaceutical Management or St Joseph's similar program.
I had no background in agriculture (I had a worthless mass comm degree) but decided I wanted to pursue Agribusiness as a career, so I completed an MS in agribusiness. It took a bit of time after graduation, but I managed to start a career with a premier ag business intelligence firm that I'm sure I would have had 0 chance of breaking in with if I simply had a regular MBA.
Just my 2 cents.
If you have a targeted career in mind, then pursue a degree more closely related to that, and not necessarily locally if you are sure about it. The more targeted the program, the better for your long term career goals.
Let's say you were set on a career in pharmaceuticals. Rather than picking up a generic MBA, I'd pick a targeted program like Rutgers MBA in Pharmaceutical Management or St Joseph's similar program.
I had no background in agriculture (I had a worthless mass comm degree) but decided I wanted to pursue Agribusiness as a career, so I completed an MS in agribusiness. It took a bit of time after graduation, but I managed to start a career with a premier ag business intelligence firm that I'm sure I would have had 0 chance of breaking in with if I simply had a regular MBA.
Just my 2 cents.
Posted on 3/28/17 at 1:49 am to TheWalrus
Stay away from specialized Masters until you are damn sure that is what you want to do long term.
Posted on 3/28/17 at 5:58 am to schwartzy
It sounds like you'd benefit from doing some more research and talking to professionals in your fields of interest.
I'll say this--the quality of life can be pretty bad as you climb that corporate ladder. It's a constant struggle to get home at a decent hour and it requires discipline to get to the important tasks during the day and tact when having to say "no."
I'll say this--the quality of life can be pretty bad as you climb that corporate ladder. It's a constant struggle to get home at a decent hour and it requires discipline to get to the important tasks during the day and tact when having to say "no."
Posted on 3/28/17 at 7:14 am to schwartzy
With a GPA of that caliber in a science you are actually pretty well positioned to break into high finance, if you play your cards right, if that would interest you. Google mergers and inquisitions if you want to take a look at career opportunities.
If you do go to business school, going to a place like LSU 1-2 years out likely doesn't benefit you as much. I would suggest doing something differentiated (military, non-profit) for a couple of years and then applying to an elite business school. Most efficient and classic example would be Teach for America for 2 years... a lot of those people go onto Harvard etc. for their MBA.
If you do go to business school, going to a place like LSU 1-2 years out likely doesn't benefit you as much. I would suggest doing something differentiated (military, non-profit) for a couple of years and then applying to an elite business school. Most efficient and classic example would be Teach for America for 2 years... a lot of those people go onto Harvard etc. for their MBA.
This post was edited on 3/28/17 at 7:19 am
Posted on 3/28/17 at 7:57 am to Lou Pai
TFA is a brutal program. I've got a double digit number of friends that went through it and I don't think they have the same respect for the program coming out and they had going in.
Posted on 3/28/17 at 8:09 am to lynxcat
Just one example though. I feel that if you can get a 3.95 GPA in biology, there are a lot of options to get to substantial earnings power that may not be as obvious to a guy who planned on working in the medical/health field and has a change of heart late in the game.
Posted on 3/28/17 at 8:21 am to schwartzy
If you are really looking at MBS with concentration in Finance, I'd suggest just doing the Masters in Finance. I did that while working part time and was able to pay off everything while I was doing it. Plus its only 3 semesters. Any of these business masters programs though are going to expect you to know what you want to do with your life so you can hone in on those skills.
I loved the MSF program and would definitely vouch for it's ability to teach you a ton, even if you hadn't studied the field extensively in undergrad.
I loved the MSF program and would definitely vouch for it's ability to teach you a ton, even if you hadn't studied the field extensively in undergrad.
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