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I'd be interested in this as well as I'm also considering going back for my MBA since I've been unable to find work.
I have a few more questions as well in the MBA vein, I hope OP doesn't mind.
How old were you when starting your MBA?
How many years job experience did you have?
How long did you study for the GMAT before taking it?
Not a business student, but here's my answers anyways!
(1) Masters in Criminology
(2) I am currently attending George Washington University in DC for it
(3) No, actually I don't. The program is much more narrow than they describe it to prospective students and put a much heavier emphasis on sociology over criminal justice or criminology-related courses. That being said, the GW name means a lot, so it'll be worth it in the end, I suppose.
(4) Yes, it is very much in line with my career, and I am pursuing the degree for professional development and advancement, rather than to get started with a career.
Thoughts:
- Try to sit in on a couple different classes before you enroll to get a feel for the program.
- Think of what you want: big vs. small class size, seminars vs. lectures, professional program vs. full-time student program, and see if the programs you select match that
- Because grad school is so expensive, make sure the second program you select (the extra classes for the MBA) is something you actually are really interested in. Like maybe finance/accounting and an MBA would compliment each other really well and make you very marketable.
Good luck!
@KatNYC2011: thank you!!! Great questions, I will add them in to the original post :)
While I'm in pretty much the opposite field of an MBA-- English!-- I will say that most employers don't look as favorably at online schools. A lot of them are considered a waste of money and not as good of an education.
As for me, I jumped into my MA right after I got my BA. Right now I'm waiting to hear back from PhD schools-- my ultimate goal is to teach at the university level, so I have to have all of the extra schooling. I didn't want to take time off because I didn't need it-- whereas an MBA seems to require more life-experience (though I do have friends who just kept going straight through).
FI works in business and he says nothing has been more helpful than actually working somewhere. He wants to get a graduate degree eventually, but is waiting until we're settled and then going to get his employer to pay for him to go part-time. (I'm jealous, I took out some loans for my MA!) FI says that his college experience is just a blip on his resume "XXXX University, BA in XXXX" at the top and then the rest is all experience because once you're out there, employers only really care about what you've done on the job.
Additionally, I love grad school. I'm of the stance that you pretty much need graduate school to be competitive in today's job market, unless you work a skilled trade where you mostly need experience. A bachelor's degree, at least in my field, is worth the paper it's printed on-- you're going to need something like graduate school, crazy networking, or a helluva internship to get you out there and in a good job.
@abbie017: thanks for your responses! The second major is what I am stuck on, I just don't really know what I should do! I am currently an insurance agent, but I'm just not sure if that's what I want out of my life, and what I might want to do more. I was thinking maybe Entrepeneurship or Leadership and Organizational Learning, if I decided to go back to the same schoool I got my undergrad (University of Baltimore). I really love the school, but I'm just wondering if there might be a better option out there. I would prefer online classes, that cater towards working students with a smaller class size.
I start my MBA program (Part-time) next Tuesday!
I'm 27, had 5.5 yrs experience, I studied for the GMAT for like 6 weeks. I just booked a test date to force myself to study. I'd been kinda studying for months and I wasn't getting anywhere. I'm going to NYU in person. Honestly... in my industry an online degree is pretty worthless. There are only 10-15 schools that anyone cares about. I view my degree as an investment, I wasn't going to do it unless I was sure it would pay for itself within a few years of graduation.
1. I got a MBA.
2. I did it on campus.
3. It was okay, most of the classes were only as hard as my undergrad ones.
4. No my career doesn't have anything to do with it, trying to get into something else but moving up in the government is near impossible.
5. I started when I was 22.
6. I had 1.5 years of job experience.
7. I only studied for a month or so, did pretty well. Could have done better if the procters weren't screaming at eachother during the math portion of the test and then ignoring me when I wanted to get up to take a break in the middle to calm down.
I just want to clear this up - I am not planning on going to an online school. I want an actual school that offers online programs. My undergrad is a highly rated accredited school (the business program is rated in the top ten in the country), but they are set up so that I could choose to take classes in class, online, or a mix of the 2. That is what I am looking for. I can certainly continue there for my MBA, but I am just looking to see if there is anywhere else I might be interested in
@MrsSl82be: Have you looked at UMD? I think UMUC actually offers some online courses in its MBA program (I could be wrong, but I sort of remember it being advertised somewhere).
I don't want to discourage any of your options, but I do want to share a story about the Leadership route. I used to run the intern program for a government office, and helped the hiring manager settle on which interns to hire. One of the applicants had a minor in Leadership (there was a more involved title, but that's what it boiled down to, and his reaction was "What the heck is that? What do you even study in that program?" I know it's an actual program and I'm assuming it teaches some valuable things, but I just wanted to pass that on. That being said, coupled with an MBA, I think it could look good - primarily because it'll show some incredible time management to get to masters degrees in such a short period of time.
ETA: The girl in my story was in undergrad, so a different game all-together!
@MrsSl82be: ah, that makes more sense! I imagine a lot of an MBA is group-work, so I'd think it'd be beneficial to be near campus or to be able to meet in person.
@abbie017: thanks for the story!! That's kind of where I'm stuck, because I really dont' know what would look best as the second degree, because regardless, I would definitely do the MBA. I haven't looked into UMD, and I have actually not heard good things about the UMUC program online, and I am about an hour drive from there, so I wouldn't want to deal with the commute. At this point, I am probably going to do the UB/Towson MBA program (you can go to either campus for classes because they partner together for these programs). Here is a list of the programs, and the description of their class setup.
Specializations
The UB/Towson MBA offers 9 areas of specialization to enhance your career and help you meet your personal goals. Click on a specialization below to learn more.
The MBA Classroom
The MBA classroom is a dynamic learning environment where students experienced in their respective fields, guided and taught by an accomplished faculty member, work together and learn about the modern business environment. The courses are designed and delivered in a way to enhance the learning, critical thinking, communications skills, and advance business accumen of all students.
The UB/Towson MBA is case driven. Students are immersed in complex cases in accounting, leadership, finance, management information systems, and others. Students are required to examine a case and determine the root cause of organizational problems and offer creative and pragmatic solutions.
MBA classes are highly interactive and team-oriented. Your participation in each class, whether on-campus or online, is expected and critical to the success of the course. You will work in a team of diverse professionals who will solve business challenges, brainstorm ideas, suggest alternative solutions, and learn about advanced business concepts.
Our faculty will challenge the way you think and help you to see beyond the obvious. Today's business professionals must have the ability to be different and offer solutions that are different. Faculty will help you understand the role of corporate social responsibility in decision making and what it means to create a sustainable enterprise.
@bookworm88: you are right, it does seem like a lot of group work, so good call on wanting to be somewhere i could go in person to work on things. I think that I may just have to stick with the same school in this case
1. What did you get your Masters in? Business Administration with concentrations in Strategic Management and International Business
2. Where did you get it? In school or online? Villanova. In school, and I do recommend it for the learning that takes place. I think MBA professers in good programs are typically experts in their field and I think you learn a lot from being there with them, rather than online. I have had a few 50% online courses, and convenience-wise they were awesome, but I wouldn't have learned as much with an entire program that was online.
3. Did you like your experience? Why or why not? Loved it. Great networking (both classmates and professors), and I learned so much about business that will help me get ahead in my career.
4. Is your career in line with your degree? If not, are you working towards that? Very much so.
5. How old were you when starting your MBA? 26 and will finish at 28 (May, can't WAIT!!)
6. How many years job experience did you have? 4
7. How long did you study for the GMAT before taking it? About a month, self study. The timing issue got me. I'm normally a super fast test taker so I didn't properly prepare to do the math part quickly.
If you are working and plan to continue to do so while in school, I recommend getting it done now (making the assumption that you don't have kids). And be prepared for what an incredibly significant commitment of time and energy it is! My social life has taken a real hit, and wedding planning while working 50+ hours a week with 10-12 credits of school is a nightmare.
But ultimately, it's totally worth it. I'm happy to talk about it more if you wanted to PM me with other questions.
To me, finance sounds like the best option. Unless you're interested in either health care or human resource management (the second sounds a little like your background!)-- the rest sound a little... something. If you told me you had a degree in entrepeneurship, I'd think you wasted money on a degree.
But, again, humanities-student talking, so I could just be blowing steam!
@kate02121: thanks for answering! What exactly is Strategic management? And I do agree with you about the in class learning, you definitely have a point there. We aren't planning on having kids, I'm 28, and am looking to probably start next fall. I would take the GMAT probably this time next year, and would ideally be able to sock away money so that I could work part time hours during the program and be able to spend more time on schoolwork. That is one thing I regret about undergrad, because while I got a pretty good overall GPA (3.24) I could have done better if I had more time to devote to it
@MrsSl82be: Ahh okay. I'm not in the MBA world at all, so I don't know much about these programs other than what I see in passing! Very cool with the joint program -- they're really helpful! (DC has a consortium, so we can take courses to apply to our degrees at basically any area college, too - and it's incredible! I love it!) What are yout interests more geared to? Picking a concetration should be closer to that. If you love math/numbers, finance is awesome, and fits really well with it. But if you like the international relations route, or health care, or any of those other choices, you should go with those. I guess it boils down to...what do you eventually want to do as a career? Think of that, and work backwards.
@bookworm88: I coudl do healthcare, but honestly, I am just not sure I am going to like the way healthcare is going to change in the coming years. And HR is not something I am interested in at all. I am trying to find something that would work with a broad spectrum of jobs, since I really don't know what I want to do (ugh, this is so frustrating, but I'm glad I am taking the time to really think about it)
1. What did you get your Masters in? MSA Masters of Science in Accounting
2. Where did you get it? In school or online? GVSU Grand Valley State University (Grand Rapids, MI)
3. Did you like your experience? Why or why not? Loved my school also went there for my undergrad. It has the top business programs in Michigan and its AACSB accredited.
4. Is your career in line with your degree? If not, are you working towards that? Yes I'm a CPA.
5. How old were you when starting your MBA? 22
6. How many years job experience did you have? (At the time none but our school doesn't require it for MSA or MBA) 4+ years experience now.
7. How long did you study for the GMAT before taking it? UGGG the GMAT is ugly and in my opinion has no basis on how well you will do. I studied a few weeks. The math portion was ugly. I did well on the English section though.
@abbie017: that's what so annoying, cuz I'm not really sure what I want to do "when I grow up" lol. Not finance, not HR, possibly international business...but then, what kind of job would I do? Hmmmm maybe I should take some tests to see where my interests are?
@missbumblebee: I think that will be me, good on the English, not that great on the math. I'm not even sure what the GMAT scores are used for. I know in undergrad, I was able to test out of lower math and English classes...is it pretty much the same thing?
@MrsSl82be: Haha I know, I struggled too. My undergrad degree has very little to do with what I'm studying now (I did political science undergrad, and now I'm in criminology and working in the law enforcement field...so sort of related, but not really).
Do you have to declare the concentration right away? Or could you take a class or two, meet with your advisor, and see if s/he has any guidance for you? From talking with some of my professors, I learned what I think I want to do, and alternatively, I learned what I absolutely do not ever want to touch with a ten foot pole.
@MrsSl82be: I don't think that's the case in grad school since there usually is a set program of classes that you take. I think it makes sure you have the basics to get through the program but I'm not sure.
@abbie017: that's actually a good idea! They have a webinar on the site that I am going to watch, and probably go meet with a counselor before signing up to find out all the details
@MissAsB: Ok, that makes sense. That's kind of what I thought too, so I'm glad I'm not the only one :)
@MrsSl82be: Good call! They're actually established in the field, so they'll have the best guidance to offer you. Good luck with whatever you decide!!
@MrsSl82be: I thoguht that a Strategic Management concentration would be like your generic management classes, but it's been really great so far. It incorporates a lot of elements that go into being a manager and company leader - like talent management (for indididuals and staff), performance measurement (of a company - so all of the financials, 10K reports, proxy statements, etc.), management finance and accounting, corporate strategy development, and a lot of consulting work for actual firms.
If you can work only part time during this, DO IT! It will be so worth it. I scramble to get all of my assignments done and time management has been really tough. There is a ton of group work as well, so it's hard finding time to meet or have a call when everyone is working as well.
1. What did you get your Masters in? MBA (General with no concentration)
2. Where did you get it? In school or online? American International College, Springfield MA. All were held in the class room.... kinda wish I had the option to take a class online, but Im in a cohort which is awesome
3. Did you like your experience? Why or why not? Loved the school and classmates are great!
4. Is your career in line with your degree? If not, are you working towards that? Yes, I will need it to eventually work my way up
5. How old were you when starting your MBA? I was 26, and am now 28, graduating in May!
6. How many years job experience did you have? 3
7. How long did you study for the GMAT before taking it? Maybe 4 weeks? I bombed it, but I still got acceted!
P.S. I work full time and go to school full time. I take one class every 8 weeks, Tues and Thurs nights. Would recomend doing this when your young. I couldnt imagine juggling this with a family.
@abbie017: Thanks!
@kate02121: Interesting
@Luckygir15: ome of my bf's got her bachelors from AIU online, and she really liked it. She is getting her Master's through Boston U online right now
1. What did you get your Masters in? - Masters in Science of Accountancy
2. Where did you get it? In school or online? - At a University, not online.
3. Did you like your experience? Why or why not? - Yes, the classes aren't full of busy work and it's more discussions about real life situations.
4. Is your career in line with your degree? If not, are you working towards that? - Yes I am currently an accountant.
5. How old were you when starting your MBA? - 23
6. How many years job experience did you have? - 2
7. How long did you study for the GMAT before taking it? 2 days
ETA: I saw you asked why you needed to take the GMAT, it's not to place out of classes, you will need to get a certain score to get into your program, the MBA program you're looking into should be able to tell you what minimum score you will need to get.
I chose AIC's MBA program because of the price in the end. My work wouldn't pay for it, and I'm a poor newlywed.... 444/credit with 36 credits total=about 16 grand
No I found the math different from anything in undergrad. I actually tested out of all the math in college too and didn't have to take any math in college at all. Good luck!
What did you get your Masters in? Managerial Communications
2. Where did you get it? In school or online? Bellevue University, Online
3. Did you like your experience? Why or why not? Yes, I could live my life, study for school, and work
4. Is your career in line with your degree? If not, are you working towards that? Yes. I work in university administration in a communications department.
5. How old were you when starting your MBA? 21 years old.
6. How many years job experience did you have? 2 1/2 years.
7. How long did you study for the GMAT before taking it? I took the GRE and I studied for 2 weeks. I got slightly above average scores.
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Please answer a few questions for me. I currently have my BS in Business Admin and Management, and am thinking about going back for my MBA. I am debating doing a double major, because some schools will allow you to get a Masters in one field, and take just a few more classes for the MBA, and that is what I am leaning towards. If it is not a school local to Baltimore, I would prefer online classes. So, here are my questions:
1. What did you get your Masters in?
2. Where did you get it? In school or online?
3. Did you like your experience? Why or why not?
4. Is your career in line with your degree? If not, are you working towards that?
5. How old were you when starting your MBA?
6. How many years job experience did you have?
7. How long did you study for the GMAT before taking it?
Anything else you want to add, please do. I appreciate it :)