Would appreciate some career advice (technical vs. business)

[EmreNU]

E.g. "I'm good with and like technology but I feel like I would be limiting my opportunities if I don't go into management and get an MBA."

I work for a large health insurer as a senior data analyst. I'm 26yo and live in Chicago. I feel lately that there are two paths that I can go: get an MBA, pursue "business" opportunities and management; or dive into highly technical work in software development or business intelligence modeling and perhaps get a MS CompSci.

I have a feeling that I have issues with doing things that I perceive would limit opportunities. I got my education in biomedical engineering but added on a major in economics because I wasn't sure I wanted to be an engineer as I thought that could limit my potential. I even see this kind of behavior playing video games such as RPGs: I'll save items that I pick up along the way "just in case" they can be more useful later in the game.

Has anyone here experienced this kind of career situation? Are there things you did to learn more about yourself and make a decision that you could follow?

 

[Gibson486]

LOL....I can't believe that you made your comment about video games...

Any ways, you are an engineer. You can do whatever paths your major lets you do. In reality, to make money as an engineer, you have to make that leap to a non technical position anyways. It's a leap that lots of engineer hate making.

 

[Platypus]

my advice, become specialized in a technology.

I likely know what company you work for btw

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Any choice you make will limit your opportunities, that is the nature of choice. I think it is more important to select those choices that aid your gifts and temperament.

 

[EmreNU]

LOL....I can't believe that you made your comment about video games...

Any ways, you are an engineer. You can do whatever paths your major lets you do. In reality, to make money as an engineer, you have to make that leap to a non technical position anyways. It's a leap that lots of engineer hate making.

Yea, pretty geeky about the video games, but it's an analogy I've thought about before.

my advice, become specialized in a technology.

I likely know what company you work for btw

You probably think it's BCBS IL, but it's not

Any choice you make will limit your opportunities, that is the nature of choice. I think it is more important to select those choices that aid your gifts and temperament.

That's true. I've spent a lot of time lately attempting to identify my strengths and passions. I've recently had a couple events that made me think that I don't know myself as well as I thought I did, thus why I'm asking this question on ATOT.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Yea, pretty geeky about the video games, but it's an analogy I've thought about before.



You probably think it's BCBS IL, but it's not



That's true. I've spent a lot of time lately attempting to identify my strengths and passions. I've recently had a couple events that made me think that I don't know myself as well as I thought I did, thus why I'm asking this question on ATOT.

I think you might want to ask those who know you better.

 

[Platypus]

That's one of many, but not the one I was thinking of.

This is more of a personal question anyway, what do you want to do more? Don't do anything just for money.

 

[Malak]

Management is a very different game, and it is important to know whether you are actually the right person for the job. Ultimately though, it's up to what you want to do. Do you enjoy your work? Do you have any management experience?

 

[Cogman]

I don't see this as a "If you take CS you'll be forever doomed" sort of thing. Plenty of people go back and get MBAs after getting a masters in something else. In fact, if you want to do more business related stuff and less programming related stuff, the tech industry has a huge need for good managers that understand what the heck is going on with their programmers/engineers (see dilbert). A CS + MBA will open far more doors then just an MBA or CS degree will do alone.

 

[EmreNU]

I think you might want to ask those who know you better.

Agreed, and I will. Just wanted to hear people's experiences.

Do you enjoy your work? Do you have any management experience?

I enjoy my work, to a degree. I don't feel it's technical enough for me (some SQL and BI skills but once you have that down it's mostly ad hoc reports in Excel, PPT). There isn't foreseeable opportunity for management here, but maybe I'm doing something wrong.

A CS + MBA will open far more doors then just an MBA or CS degree will do alone.

Certainly. I thought for a while that I might enjoy leading teams of technical people, i.e. eventually a CIO role.

 

[RagingBITCH]

I think the important thing to remember is - what will make you happy in the long run? Do you like being a techie, or do you like the business side? Money only goes so far.

 

[yllus]

I'm unsure of the value of an MBA from anything but a top-tier school, but it's not something I've looked into. An MBA program that allows you entry at the age of 26 also seems rather questionable.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

just do what you prefer, or what pays best (or actually, whatever the proper balance there is).

you can spend all your time thinking about your career and where its headed and what opportunities you have or want. next thing you know, your 'career' is over anyways and you still won't have succeeded in labeling yourself.

 

[BoomerD]

What do YOU want to do? It's not the money....it's the personal satisfaction that makes or breaks a job for most people.

How are your people management skills? Management classes won't teach you those...you develop those on your own...or are "born with them."

 

[EmreNU]

Thanks for everyone's responses. It helps to hear the opinions of others.

I'm unsure of the value of an MBA from anything but a top-tier school, but it's not something I've looked into. An MBA program that allows you entry at the age of 26 also seems rather questionable.

In the Chicago area I would consider going to Northwestern or University of Chicago. As far as I know, many people enter top-tier MBA programs 4-5 years after getting their undergraduate degree. But I do agree the payoff of the actual education would be greater with more work experience.

you can spend all your time thinking about your career and where its headed and what opportunities you have or want. next thing you know, your 'career' is over anyways and you still won't have succeeded in labeling yourself.

Good point.

What do YOU want to do? It's not the money....it's the personal satisfaction that makes or breaks a job for most people.

How are your people management skills? Management classes won't teach you those...you develop those on your own...or are "born with them."

I understand it's about what I want to do. It just seems I've always had difficulty making a choice and forgoing options.

I haven't managed anyone directly but I do "lead." I have been reading and talking about people management so I've been proactive about developing those skills.

 

[Mide]

You can take this with a grain of salt, but all of the executives at my company all have an Engineering BS with an MBA and they all make bank but none of them are what I would consider technical.