<p>Hello! I’ve recently started looking into MBA programs that are designed specifically for recent college grads (no work experience required). Specifically the ones that I’ve come across so far are Willamette’s early career mba program and Northeastern’s MBA/MS in accounting. I was wondering if anyone has any perspective as to how useful these (or similar) programs are professionally?</p>
<p>I was looking for a job initially, but then the economy crashed, and jobs that I was interviewing for suddenly became nonexistent. My thought process about getting an MBA now is that it might be more worth my time to get a degree than to work for a few years in a job that I’m not really passionate about. Initially I wasn’t looking to continue school right after undergrad though. </p>
<p>I don’t have any full time work experience, but I will have nearly 3 years of part time (25-30 hours/week) management experience by the time I graduate. </p>
<p>Does anyone know of any similar programs, or have any thoughts about the various pros/cons? </p>
<p>Watch out…after getting a MBA (especially if it is not from a top school), you may be too overqualified for entry level positions. Then you have wasted your time and money. Maybe get a masters in a specialty (accounting, finance, marketing, etc.)</p>
<p>Try to get a full-time management job in a field that interests you. Then apply to business school (evening or full-time) when you’re ready. An MBA may close more doors rather than open. You can easily become overqualified (advanced degree) or underqualified (not enough experience).</p>
<p>Alternatively, if you feel that your management background is adequate (which I do not based on what you have posted) you could do volunteer work or even a co-op after graduation to bide some time as the economy betters itself.</p>
<p>I’m just curious. By “overqualified,” do you mean companies will not hire you because they think you are too good for the job? Do you know the reasoning behind this? Are they afraid you are going to leave the company after a few years?</p>
<p>In some cases, companies will not hire people who possess an advanced degree but don’t have the work experience and skill set to be worth a higher salary. In other cases, companies also try to avoid hiring people in positions that are below their level of skills and capabilities (if HR states a high school diploma is only necessary to perform the job, they don’t want someone with a bachelor’s degree who may bolt in a couple of months for another opportunity)</p>
<p>As someone who has hired MBAs for a very long time, I really advise not going to a lesser program if you could get into a good one in a few years. I think it’s general consensus in the business community that many sub 40 programs are not worth the time or money. </p>
<p>When the economy rebounds this time we’ll be looking at a global economy, many rote business tasks will be performed in other countries. The demand for high end MBAs will expand but the average MBA will see much of what they formally did go overseas.</p>
<p>Agree with hmom. The only way I would recommend a lesser program is if your present employer is paying 100%, and you know it will allow for advancement within your current company.</p>
<p>I think that some of the “top school” barriers can be overcome by virtue of the fact that you went to undergrad at Brown. You may be a unique case. That being said, I would still go the the highest rated MBA that fits your life. If you’re looking at northeastern, why not babson as it is in Boston, too and a solid top 50 MBA?</p>
<p>I would definately avoid going from Brown to a poorly regarded program. I would not be suprised if the average first year salary for a Brown undergrad is higher than the MBA’s you mentioned. As others have already stated, your ability to find work at all will be hindered by the MBA’s you mentioned. Go to UVA for the one year masters in accounting and you’ll be set. Or London School of Economics masters in finance and accounting. You can still attend top mba later.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I ended up going to some info sessions and I think based on what I saw, I’m definitely interested in getting an MBA…but I want to do it right and take some time and actually have a direction and focus before I get there. So I’m back to looking for a job, but I’m a lot happier about it now!</p>