MBA degree good or bad idea?

[Burcu_Bozok]

Hi Everyone,

I am thinking of doing my MBA speicalized in human resource management at the University of Aberdeen starting Jan 2010. I graduated from that University in 2008 with a 2.1 MA in psychology. In the last year I have only managed to get temporary jobs as I have found a psychology degree was not enough to jump start a career as I did not want to pursue a psychology degree and was not sure which direction I should go in. In my year after uni I have worked in the accounts department of a major oil company and have also worked in a marketing firm in Edinburgh. I decided I needed to do a masters and an MBA seemed like a good idea. However, I am now worried about my choice as I have read most of the people undertaking the course are already professionals who have worked in an industry for 3 years and that the course is pretty difficult. I got offered a place however I am now worried I have made the wrong decision, as I feel like I might not be able to undertake such a course and have taken out a 12,000 pound loan from the bank (is it worth it?) I don't have much buisness experience, therefore I need advice from anyone!can u help?

[Cornish Steve]

Personally, I recommend you get some real business experience under your belt before signing up for an MBA. (Of course, I would say that because I completed my MBA about 20 years after I finished my first years at university.) Really, though, you'll be able to relate and apply what you learn to real situations.

[cjd]

Ideally you'd get some real work experience, then do the MBA (preferably sponsored by your employer :-). But in the current climate that may not be an option.

An MBA is useful if you intend to carve out a career in a biggish company but an expensive red herring if you're intending to build your own business.

They are also now pretty common so you need to do it at a good uni - I've no idea what the world thinks about an MBA from Aberdeen but you should find out before you commit to it.

Don't worry about the course being difficult - MBAs aren't hard at all intellectually, but there tends to be a lot of work. Put in the hours and you'll be fine.

[Burcu_Bozok]

thank you for your responses. Unfortunately i have already paid the 1,000 pound tuition fee, so if i decide it is not the way to go the only problem is I cannot get that money back. I know the majority of people applying are probably doing it through their company however I thought it might look more impressive on my CV if I did an MBA out of my own intution. Ideally i would like to work for an oil company (hence why i am thinking of Aberdeen, plus as a previous graduate) I am not sure whether that particular University is a high ranking in accordance with MBA standards however I do know the University has a good reputation compared to say RGU who offer the same course. I guess you are right in saying maybe if i worked for a few years I may be able to relate to the course more, however the problem with the economy and my first degree has proved that i cannot get my foot in the door of any company for the past year, and the jobs i do get can be given to someone without a degree (does not provide me with enough money for living)

[NextPoint]

I don't know what your skills are, but getting your foot through the door in any profession is likely to be hard. My advice is to get a job in a call centre and set up doing freelance work. This way you gain by:

* Establishing a reputation for yourself
* Gaining real world experience
* Increasing business awareness experience you can include on your CV

This is exactly how I got my foot through the door. I was also offered an opportunity in the IT department of the call centre I worked at, but turned it down to concentrate on the freelance experiment - I later got a full time web development job from the freelance work.

In today's economy, companies may well be interested in hiring you as a freelancer as it reduces their employment commitment. You just need to convince them you are good enough for the job.

Maybe it's just me, but having a long list of qualifications will not make a difference in most work environments. Showing that you understand the theory for the work is one issue, showing that you have the experience of how the work is done in reality is another. Experience is infinitely worth more than a qualification - nobody I know has been asked about their qualifications.

[cjd]

Unfortunately i have already paid the 1,000 pound tuition fee, so

Then I suggest you get on with it :-).

You normally have to do projects in companies with a final long dissertation in an industry you're interested in. If you intend to eventually get into the oil industry it would be a good idea to do the project work with them.

I know BP are active sponsors of MBA students, if you got in touch with their HR people (in London) who look after graduate training and offered to do project work for them they may well give you an introduction. Once you're on the inside meeting - and hopefully impressing - people it creates opportunities.

The university will also know the industries to of course, so find the relevant specialists/researchers and work with them.

You have to be very pro-active tho' - it's pretty difficult to get an in. G'luck with it.