Question graduating from a top 20 MBA program and what the career is like afterwards

[Phokus]

So yeah, i'm considering applying to a top 20 mba program since that's where all the money is. I'm wondering though, do you pretty much work to death afterwards with no end in sight? I've always wondered how people avoid burnout? I work pretty hard as an accountant for a fortune 500 already, i usually come into work at 9 am and leave around 7 pm. Is it going to be much rougher afterwards? I can work pretty hard, but i don't know if i can do it for 30+ years straight...

 

[theeedude]

I've been thinking about that too. I guess you do have to work a lot to justify those huge salaries, but at least you will be all set in a few years to retire and do whatever you want.

 

[AreaCode707]

Most of the MBAs that come out of those schools just go into management track - take a look at how much the managers where you are are working. That would be you.

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: HotChic
Most of the MBAs that come out of those schools just go into management track - take a look at how much the managers where you are are working. That would be you.

What do you mean by that? Like go into finance and work their way to become managers, for example? Or just get a management job directlly?

 

[SLU MD]

if you arent working at least 60 hrs a week, you're not working enough. Top 20 mba grads will be working at least that much coming out. fyi

I wish i could only work 60 hrs, 80 is much worse.

slu M.D.

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: SLU MD
if you arent working at least 60 hrs a week, you're not working enough. Top 20 mba grads will be working at least that much coming out. fyi

I wish i could only work 60 hrs, 80 is much worse.

slu M.D.

Well that freaking blows. I think 60 hours a week is my limit.

 

[Glavinsolo]

Originally posted by: Phokus

Originally posted by: SLU MD
if you arent working at least 60 hrs a week, you're not working enough. Top 20 mba grads will be working at least that much coming out. fyi

I wish i could only work 60 hrs, 80 is much worse.

slu M.D.

Well that freaking blows. I think 60 hours a week is my limit.

Most of it is morning hours and 2hr lunch breaks

 

[jmcoreymv]

I don't know how you guys do it. 40 is basically my limit, and its tough to classify the majority of that time as actual work.

 

[91TTZ]

Originally posted by: SLU MD
if you arent working at least 60 hrs a week, you're not working enough. Top 20 mba grads will be working at least that much coming out. fyi

I wish i could only work 60 hrs, 80 is much worse.

slu M.D.

That really sucks. So when you say that you're making twice what someone else does but you're working 80 hours a week, you're not really making out any better than them.

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: Glavinsolo

Originally posted by: Phokus

Originally posted by: SLU MD
if you arent working at least 60 hrs a week, you're not working enough. Top 20 mba grads will be working at least that much coming out. fyi

I wish i could only work 60 hrs, 80 is much worse.

slu M.D.

Well that freaking blows. I think 60 hours a week is my limit.

Most of it is morning hours and 2hr lunch breaks

So you're saying that most of these MBA grads don't work 80 hours a week, they just stay at the office and fool around except for the mornings?

Are you an MBA manager?

 

[JS80]

lol great attitude in this thread

 

[Phokus]

Originally posted by: JS80
lol great attitude in this thread

That's why i'm considering running my own business... i don't mind working 80 hours a week if I'm the boss 😀

 

[Albis]

most michigan MBAs i've met say the hours don't change much after you graduate. if you were working 60 hours a wk in consulting you'll still work around 60 hours a week but with a higher paycheck.

 

[Treyshadow]

True, I am a Texas MBA graduate. The pay does increase, but I think the number of Hours I work has increased. I worked a pretty consistent 58-68 hour work week, which included frequent travel. I considered my travel part of my work schedule time (since most of that time was spent writing emails, or reading work materials).

I have since taken another position (I am an IT architect / project manager) which I have found much more appealing. You will find many professionals with their MBA tend to drastically change their career paths. My reasoning? A 10 month old little girl that I wanted to spend more time with. Since her mother and I are both doing rather well in our professional lives, we took positions that were not at the top of the salary we can make, but very fulfilling and financially worthwhile.

Is the MBA worth it? Depends on the industry you will use it in. I think the majority of its advantage is just getting into the school. The upper-ranked programs give you opportunity.

Don't get me wrong, to me it is worth the work as I really enjoy my job.

 

[LS20]

Originally posted by: jmcoreymv
I don't know how you guys do it. 40 is basically my limit, and its tough to classify the majority of that time as actual work.

no kidding. im at work 40 hours , and i pretty much spend 10 hours actually being productive . (just dont let anyone know).

 

[mrkun]

You really should be asking this at the Businessweek B-School forums.

 

[Mo0o]

I have a friend in Ibanking in NY and 80 hr work weeks are teh norm

 

[WildHorse]

Phokus,

I just e-mailed a .pdf document to you that gives an excellent CURRENT picture of jobs & pay for newly-graduated MBAs (from my alma mater).