Career Change to Social Entrepreneurship

December 27, 2006 12:43 AM

Is it possible to break into social entrepreneurship/development without getting a MBA? Especially when you already have a master's degree?

About 10 years ago, I came back to the States after a stint in the Peace Corps and deciding that getting a MLIS would be a better career path than a degree in International Development. Mostly because PC advises people against getting International Relations degrees because of the glut/competition in the development profession + I figured the MLIS would be valueable because of all the changes going on in technology. I never went to library school to become a librarian. So after 10 years of working in libraries, I am ready to get out of the profession and would like to get back into working in something related to sustainable international development. I really like the type of work being done by groups like the Skoll Foundation, Room to Read, Kiva, or Google.org - social entrepreneurs. So far I've had one interview with a microfinance organization that I totally bombed and have been trying to do some low level networking with people in the field. I'm not having much luck at getting past the "enthusiast" stage and am wondering if I just need to go back to school and do something like a MBA with a focus on corporate social responsibility or entrepreneurship. I'd even be willing to take some kind of librarian job with one of these organizations just to initially get my foot in the door (my goal is a complete change of profession, not organization), but it ain't working.

posted by gov_moonbeam to work & money (5 comments total)

A friend of mine got an MBA and he thought it was a complete waste of time, you don't learn anything a reasonably smart person couldn't figure out on there own, plus some finance stuff.

What about going to law school? Everyone always needs lawyers, and I think you would be in a position to do a lot more good for those organizations as a lawyer. I think the amount of school would be about the same, although it would be more difficult.
posted by delmoi at 7:49 AM on December 27, 2006

I suspect that this would be mostly a matter of lack of relevant work experience, not a lack of an MBA. You might have better luck if you focus on an entry-level job (although for lots of good reasons that might not be appealing.) On the other hand, you could continue in your current job and simultaneously do some higher-level volunteer work for an organisation of your choice; you might find it easier to prove your abilities and get your foot in the door that way. (It also will make interviews easier, as you will be more familiar with the lingo/culture that might be throwing you off at the moment.)
posted by Kololo at 8:55 AM on December 27, 2006

I agree... If its the simple knowledge that comes with an MBA that you are after, then I would suggest checking out The Personal MBA... http://joshkaufman.net/personalmba/ for suggested reading and discussion. That should give you the kind of knowledge you need to "talk the talk." Beyond that, I would suggest as others do... Take an entry-level job at one of these organizations or even just prove your worth to people at the company by volunteering or taking an internship in your spare time. Personal connection is at least as valuable as letters when it comes to employment.

And good luck! It sounds like you're on a great and rewarding path.
posted by lucidreamstate at 10:42 AM on December 27, 2006

From what I've heard, most of the benefits of having an MBA come from two places.

The first and most obvious one comes from the "foot in the door" school of thought -- it's resume fodder.

The second and more practical one is that yes - the education isn't anything you couldn't pick up on your own if you tried (but you've proved it, see #1). However, the real benefit of having gone to a real school for an MBA was the phenomenal networking that occurs there. MBA school is where many people meet folks who will eventually be investors, business partners, referrals, or just people who can help point you in the right direction when you need to get something done.

The crux? However stupid you may think it is, the MBA is worth it to many people, it's just not necessarily because of the supposed "top tier education". If you're an introvert, then you're only going to benefit from the resume fodder and then I'd say don't bother.
posted by twiggy at 12:23 PM on December 27, 2006 [1 favorite]

Hey there,

If you're still looking for a place to learn social entrepreneurship, look up the KaosPilots. It's like an MBA for social entrepreneurship and leadership and it's highly regarded in the field.

Hope that helps!
posted by divabat at 10:45 PM on October 9, 2007