Am i too old for MBA

October 24, 2007 2:19 PM

I am 35 and half years old. I am planning of doing part-time MBA after taking up GMAT. (I plan to work in non-profit after finishing MBA.Currently a software engineer working in u.s.a) Do you think i am too old for MBA ?
posted by tom123 to Education (16 answers total)

I don't see why.
posted by koeselitz at 2:24 PM on October 24, 2007

Lots of people enter MBA programs in their late 20s - late 30s.
posted by k8t at 2:33 PM on October 24, 2007

I teach GMAT prep and I have an MBA. You're not too old for an MBA. Tons of my students are around the same age. They are successfully admitted to a variety of MBA programs. You might want to do an Executive MBA, so that you're with a group of experienced people in their 30s and 40s.
posted by acoutu at 2:34 PM on October 24, 2007

No, you are not too old.
posted by jdroth at 2:39 PM on October 24, 2007

EMBA's that are diploma mills.
posted by blue_beetle at 3:13 PM on October 24, 2007

sorry, AREN'T
posted by blue_beetle at 3:14 PM on October 24, 2007

My father, who has an engineering degree, was sent by his company for an MBA sometime in his early to mid 30s. I think there's a significant number of people who find themselves in slightly less technical positions, which they didn't expect and go do an MBA to get those business/people interaction skills they don't have from their first degree.
posted by cobaltnine at 3:26 PM on October 24, 2007

Yeah that's silly. I mean, you have to weigh out the benefits of the investment you're making.
posted by albatross5000 at 3:27 PM on October 24, 2007

No. Plenty of people your age in those programs, especially in part-time programs.
posted by Kwantsar at 3:29 PM on October 24, 2007

You should consider the Presidio School of Sustainable Management if you are interested in working for a non-profit after you graduate. Many students are in their late 30s-40s, and the MBA in sustainable management will give you skills you wouldn't get in a traditional MBA program.

I'm currently a student there. MeFi Mail me if you have any questions about the program.
posted by paddingtonb at 4:33 PM on October 24, 2007

I think that Masters in Public Administration might also be useful given the direction you are headed.
posted by Good Brain at 4:37 PM on October 24, 2007

Surely not. You have most of your working career ahead of you.
posted by sien at 4:44 PM on October 24, 2007

You are not too old to do it; I know plenty of people of all ages getting all kinds of degrees. My only suggestion would be, why not go for the non-profit job and *then* get the MBA? Non-profits will still hire without the MBA (although you may start lower on the totem pole) and you will get some good experience that will tell you *exactly* what you need to focus on when you go back to school. You can certain do a short course on business if you feel it would be helpful. There should be something at a local community college for $100-200.
posted by Deathalicious at 5:31 PM on October 24, 2007

I wish ALL the MBAs I know had gotten their degrees in their 30s. There are no words for how annoying I find the little 24-yr-old straight thru B-school MBAs. "Well I just did a case study on that, and we found blah blah blah."

A little life experience just makes you a better business person, and bless you for choosing nfp work!
posted by nax at 5:57 PM on October 24, 2007

You are definitely not too old. Nax is exactly right, some real life experience is super valuable not only for classes but also once you graduate.
posted by gemmy at 6:26 PM on October 24, 2007

Holy Names College in Oakland, California has an MBA program that is tailored for the non-profit and public service worlds. You are never too old to go back to school!
posted by 45moore45 at 7:29 PM on October 24, 2007