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Message
MBA Worth the Effort for Mid-30's Sales Career?
Posted on 2/25/15 at 9:59 am
Posted on 2/25/15 at 9:59 am
I am getting promoted to a position that will be much less complex and frankly easier. Funny how that works. It will be more responsibility, but much more easily managed business.
So, given the lighter workload, I'm considering getting my MBA.
My understanding has been that, generally, an MBA is sort of a nice-to-have in sales, but not really important. Finance, yep. Want to be a Brand Manager, better get it. But sales, it's a wash.
What do you think?
For my current company, it will likely just be considered a small plus (but maybe very helpful down the road for a big promotion).
But it could be very helpful if I leave in a few years.
It would be company paid for. I have a family and a 4th kid on the way, so if it's not a clear advantage I'm not sure it's worth the stress.
Thoughts?
So, given the lighter workload, I'm considering getting my MBA.
My understanding has been that, generally, an MBA is sort of a nice-to-have in sales, but not really important. Finance, yep. Want to be a Brand Manager, better get it. But sales, it's a wash.
What do you think?
For my current company, it will likely just be considered a small plus (but maybe very helpful down the road for a big promotion).
But it could be very helpful if I leave in a few years.
It would be company paid for. I have a family and a 4th kid on the way, so if it's not a clear advantage I'm not sure it's worth the stress.
Thoughts?
5
Posted on 2/25/15 at 10:01 am to LSUfan20005
In my opinion, an MBA is never worth it unless the company is paying for it or you have a near guarantee of a significant promotion upon completion.
Posted on 2/25/15 at 10:33 am to kingbob
agreed.
if you have aspirations to be the CEO of the company, then get one.
otherwise think about it three or four times before you commit your free time elsewhere.
if you have aspirations to be the CEO of the company, then get one.
otherwise think about it three or four times before you commit your free time elsewhere.
Posted on 2/25/15 at 10:39 am to cjared036
Company is paying for it. Why wouldn't you do it? They pay because one day they would like to hire from within should an upper mngnt position present itself.
My friend was in the same position. Managed a mri clinic for the doctor/owner. Got his MBA and was soon after offered a hospital CEO role and covers at least 6 locations. His pay is tripled.
Do it. No future is guaranteed
My friend was in the same position. Managed a mri clinic for the doctor/owner. Got his MBA and was soon after offered a hospital CEO role and covers at least 6 locations. His pay is tripled.
Do it. No future is guaranteed
Posted on 2/25/15 at 10:47 am to GeeOH
I'm with the chorus on this one: if someone else is picking up the tab, do it. Will the company pay for an executive MBA? Typically, exec MBA programs are more expensive than the part-time/night route, but the classes are condensed into intensive weekend and/or two/three day sessions a couple times a month. Might be a better option for you if family demands are high.
Posted on 2/25/15 at 10:52 am to hungryone
If you want to do it and they will pay for it then it can't hurt. I was on a sales path and wanted to move so it definitely helped me. Ended up in Finance at a Fortune 500.
Posted on 2/25/15 at 11:11 am to hungryone
That's what my friend did...and it was at Tulane on weekends type deal.
Posted on 2/25/15 at 12:07 pm to GeeOH
Even if you pay for it yourself, it is well worth it for someone with leadership aspirations. Get it from the best school possible.
Posted on 2/25/15 at 3:37 pm to LSUfan20005
If they are paying for the whole thing then do it. Make sure you read over their terms for doing so. It may require you to put the money down up front and they reimburse you based on grades.
Posted on 2/25/15 at 6:31 pm to LSUfan20005
quote:
It would be company paid for. I have a family and a 4th kid on the way, so if it's not a clear advantage I'm not sure it's worth the stress.
If the company is paying for it, you can bet that there are going to be strings attached.
There may be some 'non-compete' clauses or you may have to pay back the money if you leave the company. Read the small print, several times and make sure you are clear on any and all stipulations.
Although there are no guarantees, does this company REQUIRE upper management to have an MBA?
Apparently they think enough of you to offer to pay for your schooling.
On the flip side, I know of several people who barely got out of high school who are in sales and are killing it every month, been doing it for years.
Also, I know of people who have BAs & MBAs who are severly underemployed.
In the end, will this MBA be worth it to you? It may, or may not, mean better money down the road. The MBA may, or may not, open doors to senior management positions.
You are in your mid-30s with a wife & children. Will it be worth it to you to get home at 10 or 11 PM most nights and be dog-tired with no time for you wife or little ones. They grow up fast. I don't know what kind of time track they offer but it could take 18 months to three years. IDK
I wish I could tell you what to do. Unfortunately, there are no clear cut answers and no easy choices.
Whatever path you chose, I wish you well.
Posted on 2/25/15 at 8:25 pm to LSUfan20005
Sure, why not?
Posted on 2/25/15 at 9:36 pm to LSUfan20005
Take advantage of the offer, but go to a quality school. Don't be short sighted and think you will be in sales forever. An MBA offers a great foundation and in combination with a sales background will open doors down the line. You will also be a better sales professional.
I am forever grateful to a former employer for dropping $115k on my education.
ETA: I was 34 and a successful medical rep when I enrolled.
I am forever grateful to a former employer for dropping $115k on my education.
ETA: I was 34 and a successful medical rep when I enrolled.
This post was edited on 2/25/15 at 9:38 pm
Posted on 2/26/15 at 5:28 am to CajunAlum Tiger Fan
115k investment in an employee's education is very impressive. What type of education?
Posted on 2/26/15 at 5:25 pm to KJason
quote:
115k investment in an employee's education is very impressive. What type of education?
MEMBA exec program MBA at Emory. It's a modular residency program where you spend 4 weeks/year on campus in class for 7 days with remote learning in between and finish with two weeks in an international location. In our case it was Budapest and Barcelona.
Posted on 2/26/15 at 10:20 pm to CajunAlum Tiger Fan
Too much money
Posted on 2/27/15 at 7:18 am to Paul Allen
Do it. You never know where ur life will be in 10 years and blind to how it can help. Easy to get, will introduce you to others of similar ilk, signal u are management material. I had similar track and it opened up a second career track.
Posted on 2/27/15 at 9:05 am to fontell
As often as this question gets asked on here, we really should make a comprehensive "Should I get an MBA" infographic.
Similar to this one for Med students:
Similar to this one for Med students:
Posted on 2/27/15 at 11:44 am to Paul Allen
quote:
Too much money
You don't know anything about my situation and you are completely wrong in this case. The company made an investment in an employee which paid off for them and I invested the time and effort in my career development which has paid off many times over.
As with most education, what you get out of it is directly related to what you put into it.
Posted on 2/27/15 at 1:45 pm to lilsnappa
quote:
As often as this question gets asked on here, we really should make a comprehensive "Should I get an MBA" infographic.
There should be a "Should I go to law school" one too.
Can you speed read large volumes of material with exceptional comprehension?
No: Don't go to law school
Yes: v
Will you have to take out student loans?
Yes: Don't go to law school
No: v
Can you get into a tier 1 school?
Yes: Go to law school.
No: v
Do you have family or political connections already in place basically promising you a job when you graduate?
Yes: Go to law school
No: v
Will you graduate in the top 5% of your graduating class?
Yes: Go to law school
No: Don't go to law school.
This post was edited on 2/27/15 at 1:46 pm
Posted on 2/27/15 at 10:41 pm to CajunAlum Tiger Fan
Shut up.
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