Should I get my MBA after I get my Bachelors of Science in Computer Science?
December 29, 2011 11:30 AM Subscribe
Should I get my MBA after I get my Bachelors of Science in Computer Science?
So I'm graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science this coming spring. I'm considering getting a MBA after I'm finished. With these two degrees what do my options look like for jobs and salaries?
So I'm graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Computer Science this coming spring. I'm considering getting a MBA after I'm finished. With these two degrees what do my options look like for jobs and salaries?
Do you have any idea what programs you are likely to be accepted to? I tend to think the ROI on B schools is about as low as law schools outside the top tier, and thus probably not worth it.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 11:38 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by Admiral Haddock at 11:38 AM on December 29, 2011
that all depends on where you are and how old you are.
If you're popping right out of school I don't think an MBA will be as much of a sales pitch as if you have more years under your belt (don't be as presumptuous as to think an MBA will help you get a job in the first place).
I would first jump into the field and see if this is really what you want to spend your life doing before throwing more money/dept at another degree. Many times you may be five years into your career before deciding that this makes a good paycheck but it doesn't fill a need inside you.
posted by zombieApoc at 11:41 AM on December 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
If you're popping right out of school I don't think an MBA will be as much of a sales pitch as if you have more years under your belt (don't be as presumptuous as to think an MBA will help you get a job in the first place).
I would first jump into the field and see if this is really what you want to spend your life doing before throwing more money/dept at another degree. Many times you may be five years into your career before deciding that this makes a good paycheck but it doesn't fill a need inside you.
posted by zombieApoc at 11:41 AM on December 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
I think it's much better to look at it from the opposite direction. What do you want to do, and what does it take to get there. If it requires an MBA, go for it, but don't do the MBA "just in case. If you do decide to go the MBA route, I agree that you need to work for a while first, and much like law school, there's a big difference in the opportunities afforded by going to a top school vs. even an excellent second tier school.
posted by primethyme at 11:41 AM on December 29, 2011
posted by primethyme at 11:41 AM on December 29, 2011
Do not get an MBA right away. The courses you have to take for the degree really won't enlighten you if you don't have any work experience - it will all be conceptual hoo-hah - even more than it already is to someone who has faced actual situations, pressures, targets and projects. Topics like management will all be theoretical to you until you spend some time in an environment, experience actual leadership and direction or lack of it, and understand the real pressures that an industry and companies face with more nuance and depth.
One of the main justifiable reasons to get an MBA is to go to the best top-tier school you possibly can - any lesser of a school is just not worth it - and network with the strongest possible classmates, faculty and other industry leaders. They will be bringing something significant to the table in terms of work experience and connections and knowledge. If you want to get reap any benefits from these networks, you need to bring some significant knowledge and experience too.
posted by sestaaak at 11:43 AM on December 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
One of the main justifiable reasons to get an MBA is to go to the best top-tier school you possibly can - any lesser of a school is just not worth it - and network with the strongest possible classmates, faculty and other industry leaders. They will be bringing something significant to the table in terms of work experience and connections and knowledge. If you want to get reap any benefits from these networks, you need to bring some significant knowledge and experience too.
posted by sestaaak at 11:43 AM on December 29, 2011 [1 favorite]
No, get a job at a large company that will pay for you to get your MBA. (Google and Microsoft do, it appears that Amazon and Facebook don't, don't know about others)
1. They'll pay for it.
2. A BS in CS means little more than a BS in Basket Weaving unless you've worked in the field.
3. As said above, an MBA will make more sense to you if you've already got experience in real work.
4. You probably have no idea if you'd want the kind of job an MBA might help you to get yet, and the best way to find out is to work with the people doing them now.
5. Most people in a good program probably also have work experience (sometimes substantial) and you will seem like an inexperienced kid to them, which will reduce your networking ability.
Or, after working at said large company for a couple of years, you should have saved enough to quit and go full-time to a top school without killing yourself under loans, if you decide that's what you'd prefer. And you would have been able to meet people who'd done a part-time MBA, or full-time, or none at all, and figure out whether you even need it at all to get where you want to be, and which approach will work best.
posted by jacalata at 11:58 AM on December 29, 2011 [2 favorites]
1. They'll pay for it.
2. A BS in CS means little more than a BS in Basket Weaving unless you've worked in the field.
3. As said above, an MBA will make more sense to you if you've already got experience in real work.
4. You probably have no idea if you'd want the kind of job an MBA might help you to get yet, and the best way to find out is to work with the people doing them now.
5. Most people in a good program probably also have work experience (sometimes substantial) and you will seem like an inexperienced kid to them, which will reduce your networking ability.
Or, after working at said large company for a couple of years, you should have saved enough to quit and go full-time to a top school without killing yourself under loans, if you decide that's what you'd prefer. And you would have been able to meet people who'd done a part-time MBA, or full-time, or none at all, and figure out whether you even need it at all to get where you want to be, and which approach will work best.
posted by jacalata at 11:58 AM on December 29, 2011 [2 favorites]
The pattern I've seen from other CS and Engineering majors is: graduate, and work in your field for a few years. Then get an MBA. Then get a job either in business development/management for a tech company or working finance.
I haven't seen people just head straight to business school after finishing undergrad.
posted by deanc at 12:22 PM on December 29, 2011
I haven't seen people just head straight to business school after finishing undergrad.
posted by deanc at 12:22 PM on December 29, 2011
Agree with the posters above. Work a little, get experience, and attempt to get your company to pay for it. You can get your MBA part time, get a paycheck, and seek out work opportunities over time that meet your interests and aid your career path. This allows you the best of both worlds without going all-in to another 2 years of expensive schooling.
posted by seppyk at 12:23 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by seppyk at 12:23 PM on December 29, 2011
Quite simply, no. If you ask me, an MBA is only remotely worth it if it's paid for by someone else, and obtained at a high tier institution.
posted by drpynchon at 2:07 PM on December 29, 2011
posted by drpynchon at 2:07 PM on December 29, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
The answers to all of these questions pertain to your question about job options and salaries.
posted by dfriedman at 11:37 AM on December 29, 2011