Post Military MBA

SmartAss99
Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:15:14 +0000

Hello All,

I’ve combed the forums a little to try to find the answer to my question, but it seems I’m in a fairly unique situation.

I am on my way to transitioning out of the US Navy after 8 years of active duty enlisted service. While serving my time, I held numerous supervisory roles (Instructor, Assistant Work Center Supervisor, Work Center Supervisor, Maintenance Group Supervisor/Assistant Leading Petty Officer, Training Manager, Quality Assurance Supervisor, Leading Petty Officer, in that order). I come from the Nuclear Propulsion Program, which from what I’ve been told/heard/interaction with the “civilian realm” is a highly revered program to come from. Also, I have earned my B.S. in Applied Science and Technologies in Nuclear Engineering Technologies from Thomas Edison State College, a regionally accredited distance learning college in Trenton, NJ, with a GPA of 3.80.

Upon discharge from the Navy, I want to go to either UT Austin or SMU Dallas to earn my MBA. I have been debating on whether I want to start my career as soon as I get out or participate in their full-time programs vice their executive programs. The problem arises when acceptance into McCombs EMBA program is contingent upon full-time employment.

Here is where the question comes in… Which program is more suited for my situation? I will be 29 upon discharge from the USN, and would like to get started on my career and work on my graduate degree concurrently in order to “accelerate my life” (sorry for the cliche, post navy guys will know what I’m talking about).

If I opt for the full time option, I will most likely be stuck getting a job as a bartender/bouncer/hotel clerk or floor manager in order to supplement my income. On the flip side of the coin, if I get a career and then submit my application to the aforementioned schools, I’m assuming I have a high chance of being rejected.

I guess I’m looking for some insight on the best way to handle this situation with my goals in mind. The intention of earning an MBA is to diversify myself by delving into both business and engineering backgrounds, and to make myself eligible to become upper management (probably in some engineering related job).

Any and all logical thoughts are welcome.

V/R,

Kyle