Getting a Masters in Information Systems or get an MBA?

[Sattern]

I'd suggest getting an MBA or Mastering in Marketing.

Both of those will pretty much allow you to work as any salesman or at any corporation and pay you very generously once you can prove your worth.

I might get an MBA myself because it just shows how dedicated I am to the sales industry and will put me on top of anyone else.

I know selling is what makes you the best overall, but i'm very good with that too

 

[BikeJunkie]

What is the Series 7?

Series 7

It's not incredibly difficult, but you do need to have more than just a couple marbles clanging together if you hope to pass it. Unfortunately, having an MBA is not a good benchmark for determining whether you have more than just a couple marbles clanging together.

She was working for a Financial Advisor and was moving up the ranks until she went *splat* on that exam. And when I say "splat," I mean absolutely wrecked in the ass, to the point where said ass is no longer recognizable as an ass.

 

[Babbles]

Where did you got your MBA?

Case Western Reserve. I don't know what the ranking is now, probably 40s or 50s depending on the source. Definitely not a top 20. The university as a whole is ranked much higher than the MBA program specifically. I think the Top Ten thing is overrated for most people; most, and I don't want to diminish the value of going as good as you can get, but don't get too worked up about it unless that is your goal. As long as it is a seriously legit school that should help a bunch. If I had to guess your background gives you a more interesting story than most MBA candidates.

 

[Babbles]

The most interesting takeaways happened in the MBA program because everyone worked in different industries and in different areas and you got to hear about how things worked in those different environments. I was one of the few IT people, we had a Pharmacist, an Attorney, a bunch of random managers, a few engineers, a few accountants, etc. I read that this aspect of any MBA program is what's the most important. That is why a lot of those top 10 MBA programs have candidates that work in very large industries and fancy companies. Knowledge gained from hearing about experiences that happened on major projects within Facebook, Cisco, Google, PWC, Mckinsey, KPMG, Intel, GM, GE, etc = gold.

We had a good variety of backgrounds as well. Mostly engineers, but a couple of architects, several nurses, some typical business people, a former commercial airline pilot, a PhD professor from another university, a couple of industrial designers, and I was a chemist (only scientist, though, in my class).

My program wasn't in the top twenty, but still decent enough to attract some fancy firms. It was almost odd who would recruit and not recruit. We got Accenture, Deloitte, McKinsey but not Bain or BCG. We got IBM, but no GE.

 

[Babbles]

Five easy points.

One
Having an advanced degree will likely provide you with more career options than not having one.

Absolutely! More debt, but more options!

Two
The value of an advanced degree is context sensitive. For example, in an employment context it is worth what a potential employer values it as. Different employers value different degrees differently. (No degree is a silver bullet.)

This too. I've noticed that some employers where an MBA is a bonus would pay less than those that require it. Those types of employers seem to put a compensation value on it.

Three
While I would encourage you to get either degree, I suspect that an MBA would provide you with more flexibility than an MIS degree.

MBA is probably the most flexible, generic graduate degree out there.

Five
In graduate school, the quality of the faculty and your ability to interact with the faculty is generally considered much more important that it is in undergraduate. Consequently, researching the faculty and their publications will likely serve you well.

This, this, this!!

The vast majority of the faculty in my program did research and consulted with industry, or worked in industry. Not to mention publish like crazy.

 

[dn7309]

We had a good variety of backgrounds as well. Mostly engineers, but a couple of architects, several nurses, some typical business people, a former commercial airline pilot, a PhD professor from another university, a couple of industrial designers, and I was a chemist (only scientist, though, in my class).

My program wasn't in the top twenty, but still decent enough to attract some fancy firms. It was almost odd who would recruit and not recruit. We got Accenture, Deloitte, McKinsey but not Bain or BCG. We got IBM, but no GE.

Does top companies actively go to MBA schools and look for potential employee and then recruit or you will have to actively work for your way through an internship.

I know that in can be either or, but based on your class experience, what did happened to most of your class mates.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

My sister in law got her MBA and she's dumber than a box of nails. After getting it she was all high and pumped on herself, so she went for her Series 7. That was epic

Over the past decade or so, I've known 4 people who got MBAs, 3 of them from decent programs. It has helped none of them, but at least 2 of them got their MBAs for free. The other 2 went into tremendous debt, all for nothing.

The story above is exactly why I say if you're going to do an MBA, only do one if your employer is paying OR pursue the cheapest option. Also, the "top 10 or 20" school recommendation is overrated. YES, a top 10 program might be able to get you a job anywhere, but also don't overlook the fact that many schools have huge regional followings and will land you many opportunities too.

I wouldn't mind getting an MBA and I've debated it on and off for years and mentioned it many times in these forums. I just can't justify spending $60K to get one and I'm still not sure if an MBA from WGU would be enough.

 

[dn7309]

Well I have options when it comes to funding my MBA either through the GI Bill or Tuition Assistance program from the military. Which I can get my MBA fully funded.

But this is a one time deal since the military is only funding one degree per graduate level. So if you got a masters the military will not fund another masters. You have to move on to a Phd.

 

[Babbles]

Does top companies actively go to MBA schools and look for potential employee and then recruit or you will have to actively work for your way through an internship.

I know that in can be either or, but based on your class experience, what did happened to most of your class mates.

Top companies actively recruit MBAs and those companies typically have MBA-specific career tracks. Several will only hire after graduation if you did an internship between first and second year. As such, getting an internship can be an absolutely crucial step. However, one of my classmates instead did a study abroad thing in France over summer and ended up with McKinsey. The other thing is, besides academics, top companies want interesting people with interesting stories. Very much the complete package, not just good grades or GMAT scores.

Obviously some people work their way up the ladder without an MBA, but again several companies have MBA specific tracks. I am not in that particular realm, so I can't speak as to first-hand experience.

Anyhow, two of the largest recruiting places are at National Black MBA (NBMBA) and National Hispanic MBA (NSHMBA). These are organized by their respective organizations, but not geared toward those ethnicities (I'm a middle class white guy). MBA candidates from all over will go to these to pitch themselves to recruiters. The exception is the top 5 or so programs don't go, as the employers will go them (I've never seen Stanford or HBS people at these, but I've seen MIT and Wharton folks there).
2014 NSHMBA
2014 NBMBA

Here are some MBA specific job paths:
IBM
P&G
JnJ

Most of my classmates took post-graduation jobs that were related to their internships. Most did some sort of change compared to their pre-MBA career; engineers became product managers in engineering firms; personal bankers became financial analysts. I was an analytical scientist, then did a startup for a couple of years but went back into science on the marketing side of things as a product manager.

So to bring this back around to your initial post, the big thing is to figure out what you want. Getting a promotion is one thing. Go cheap and go quick. Setting yourself up for a new career after separating from the military is another thing. I would look into Booz Allen Hamilton. They hire tons of former military folks. Military + Security Clearance + MBA = Gold at the right consulting firms.

 

[dn7309]

Great point, I never thought about researching companies and potential career path while going through an MBA. I thought I can just go through a program and come out working for a company.

Does a typical MBA program help their students discover a career path while they're in the program (not necessary spoon feeding)?

 

[Imp]

Over the past decade or so, I've known 4 people who got MBAs, 3 of them from decent programs. It has helped none of them, but at least 2 of them got their MBAs for free. The other 2 went into tremendous debt, all for nothing.

I know two people around my age who got MBAs in the past 5 years. One went to a $60k program part-time and decided to be a stay at home mom -- she might start her own business (yoga studio?)...

Second guy is an engineer who finished up a master's in engineering. Truth is, he's a nice, sociable guy who's being groomed by management, and he's more than competent. He's still with the organization and I wouldn't say he would ever have needed the MBA to get ahead. He was smart enough to go for the el cheapo ~$20k program though -- and part-time. Probably had some of the tuition covered.

I may know a third... Not sure if she went through with it, but when we were still talking, she said she was going to do a $50k MBA. She left and did something in India for a year or two, resigned, then came back, no is working as a coordinator in admin -- previously an assistant only. Two years out of work, this is probably the most expensive of the three.

 

[Babbles]

Great point, I never thought about researching companies and potential career path while going through an MBA. I thought I can just go through a program and come out working for a company.

Does a typical MBA program help their students discover a career path while they're in the program (not necessary spoon feeding)?

Job placement is one of the more important metrics for MBA programs, so programs have incentives to help you in your career. Generally you need a sense of career path prior to starting; in fact admission interviews will all about your plans and goals. Obviously they don't have to be set in stone, but you need some idea of what you want to accomplish with an MBA.

As your summer internship can greatly influence your post graduation job, and those interview in spring, you have a semester to get started on your career path.

The days of just enrolling, graduating with an MBA and getting a sweet gig are past.

 

[ultimatebob]

Do you think that you'll actually enjoy taking business or computer science courses? If not, do something else that you'll enjoy.

I bet that Military History would be awesome for your career. Learn from the failures of your old bosses

 

[alkemyst]

Do you think that you'll actually enjoy taking business or computer science courses? If not, do something else that you'll enjoy.

I bet that Military History would be awesome for your career. Learn from the failures of your old bosses

QFT, find you passion and you life will be much better even if harder at first.

I re-tooled myself many times and became happier each.

 

[sdifox]

MBA

 

[dn7309]

Job placement is one of the more important metrics for MBA programs, so programs have incentives to help you in your career. Generally you need a sense of career path prior to starting; in fact admission interviews will all about your plans and goals. Obviously they don't have to be set in stone, but you need some idea of what you want to accomplish with an MBA.

As your summer internship can greatly influence your post graduation job, and those interview in spring, you have a semester to get started on your career path.

The days of just enrolling, graduating with an MBA and getting a sweet gig are past.

Well then I got some soul searching to do then before looking intro programs to apply.

Do you think that you'll actually enjoy taking business or computer science courses? If not, do something else that you'll enjoy.

I bet that Military History would be awesome for your career. Learn from the failures of your old bosses

Military history comes with promotions. You got to go to Squadron Officer School before becoming an 0-3. Once you have a Masters you can apply for Navy War College to track Colonel. M

 

[Alienwho]

I wouldn't get an MBA unless it's from a top school or a well respected school in your area. I got a Masters in Information Systems and it paid for itself before I even graduated. My MIS degree has been very valuable.

 

[xeemzor]

I wouldn't get an MBA unless it's from a top school or a well respected school in your area. I got a Masters in Information Systems and it paid for itself before I even graduated. My MIS degree has been very valuable.

Absolutely. Three years of experience with an MIS degree will often get you into six figure territory and you don't need to go to a great school. I would say go for an MBA if you can get into a top 10 school and can go full time. In any other scenario it's better to get an MIS degree.

 

[zCypher]

It's the same as any degree. You don't get it just for the sake of having a degree -- those people tend to keep or wind up in their unrelated dead end jobs. The paper doesn't magically give you a cushy high paying job. What you need is to have a clue as to where you are headed and what you are looking to attain. If you have a particular direction that leads you to potential positions that would require a specific degree; go for that degree. Then you have the degree + relevant experience to leverage both in your favor when applying for said position.

In my case, I have my sights on CCNA, CCNP and some Juniper/Alcatel certifications. But I do network support and my prospective career paths from where I am now, some have these certs listed as an asset, some have them listed as a requirement. So while I still have some options without them, I open the door to much better options within the organization and outside of it if I get some of those certs. Several of the people working on certain teams I'd like to eventually get into have some of those certs. If I wasn't going in that direction, I wouldn't bother getting certified, it would be a waste of time and money.

So choose a degree that will help you attain a goal that you have laid out. If you don't have a goal, then start with that. It doesn't have to be a super precise thing, so long as you have a general idea of a few options that interest you, target the degree that would assist you in attaining those roles.

That's how I see it anyway. The designation / certification / degree / whatever paper alone is next to useless if you're not going to use it appropriately or just getting it randomly hoping that it'll come in handy. Seen to many people waste their time that way and not make use of it. If you've been working a while though you should have a clue as to what direction you want to go and so, looking at certain job postings that interest you should give you a really good idea as to which degree would best suit your needs to go there.

 

[alkemyst]

An MBA will never hurt to have IMHO.

Good luck on the CCNA/CCNP tract; if I had known what I know now I'd have just gotten a business degree/MBA and done my CCIE first and skipped about 10 years of college I had taken.

CCNP is really what you should shoot for and just think of the CCNA as a stepping stone...while it's worth it to have, that cert only pays if you have a lot of experience.

My brother has an insane amount of certs including dual CCIE, and the top EMC and NetApp certs. Almost weekly he gets very good job offers. Just with a CCIE and knowing your stuff/being presentable; it would be rare to be unemployed and/or working for less than ~$150k per year in even low markets.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

I want a degree as a back up just in case the military career ends early. My next assignment will be in southern California, so I will try to apply to UCLA or University of California, Irvine, worst case scenario, I will be have to go to California State University, Long Beach.

Only applying to public schools since it cheaper and they are easier to qualify for military Tuition Assistance (less hurdle through the verification process).

And seriously, does name of school matter?

Name is a huge thing. I went to UCLA undergrad and would do some work at the Anderson Management school and major companies would come and recruit all the time. I'm looking to apply there and go back maybe in the next few years.

MIS is not a known or major degree in this area really. I had never even heard of the term until I started working at my current company and even then I really can't name a school that offers that as a degree in the So Cal area.

 

[dn7309]

Name is a huge thing. I went to UCLA undergrad and would do some work at the Anderson Management school and major companies would come and recruit all the time. I'm looking to apply there and go back maybe in the next few years.

MIS is not a known or major degree in this area really. I had never even heard of the term until I started working at my current company and even then I really can't name a school that offers that as a degree in the So Cal area.

CSULB CSUF SDSU and UCI offer MIS programs. From the look of it I'm leaning toward an MBA and then go work for major aerospace companies and deal with the DOD from the out side. Still tentative

 

[Scarpozzi]

I went the MBA route, but started into it before they revamped the course catalog at my University. The year I started, I was only required to take 10 classes @ 3 hours each. I finished that in 5 semesters.... (Fall/Spring/Summer/Fall/Spring) It was pretty painless.

 

[dn7309]

I went the MBA route, but started into it before they revamped the course catalog at my University. The year I started, I was only required to take 10 classes @ 3 hours each. I finished that in 5 semesters.... (Fall/Spring/Summer/Fall/Spring) It was pretty painless.

Did you had to debate between an MBA or another degree?

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Side question. Are you thinking of taking the GRE or the GMAT for MBA application now that they accept both?