I have had several questions by some various readers about using a grad degree, such as an MBA to change careers. Rather than answer them one at a time I thought it might be better to make a list and answer them individually here since at times I get the same question more than once. So here we go...
1.) Cajun, do you think the MBA was the reason you got that new job?
a. Honestly no I do not. I think that my earning an MBA was an integral part of the process though and I do believe without it I likely would not have been considered. I believe my MBA helped to get me the interview, the interview got me the job and the education I received while earning the MBA is what will help me keep it. Remember that a degree is just a piece of a greater overall mosaic. Without it things look incomplete but no one piece is greater than the whole.
2.) Are you glad you got the MBA rather than an MSM or MA in Leadership, etc.
a. Actually yes I am. I think the MBA taught me skills for looking at the big picture in administering a business function that another degree likely would not have. See the MBA is perfect for this analyst position I have now, whereas an MSM likely wouldn't have been. The MSM may have been great for a general management position, but then so is the MBA. The MBA just has a greater scope of application in my opinion.
3.) Would you recommend an MBA to someone considering a career change?
a. Yes, no and it all depends. If you are not 100% sure what you want that career change to be but know it is in the business fields, then yes because the MBA will likely have the greatest overall utility. If you are wanting to become a CPA, then no, there are better options. If you just aren't sure what you want to do, you just would rather be doing anything else in your life then you at least need to pick a career category to work within.
4.) What is the education like of your new peers?a. Well I will say that a BA or BS is a minimum requirement (or you have to be some kind of technical guru) in this new department, they are definitely par for the course. There are a few of them with masters degrees running around, a few with MS in Computer Information Systems or Computer Sciences. I have not run into a MS in Management Information Systems yet but I'm sure I will. One guy even has an MPA, but his emphasis is in his profession.
5.) How much of what you learned in your MBA have you used yet?
a. A lot actually. Most of it in project management, critical decision making, research, a lot of soft skills stuff. Primarily I have studied at work, studied flow charts, acronym lists, PMBOK stuff, etc. I have had to start my day at about 7AM at work and end about 5:30PM and there is so much to learn its almost overwhelming. The main thing I use is how to learn a lot of information under a great deal of pressure in a short amount of time. An accelerated MBA was the perfect preparation for that.
6.) Is there any advice you'd have for me?
a. Yes, keep reading my blog and keep researching career changes and education. eLearners is a great tool you have at your disposal that I did not have when I started out in distance education. You really are lucky to have found this site, it is full of truthful and useful information which as we both know can be rare on the Internet.
7.) Are you going to get a doctorate?
a. Eventually yes, I would like to get a doctorate using the Great Books method of learning from Harrison Middleton University, but that's more for personal enrichment and development. I don't think I'll be able to apply it professionally other than perhaps what I learn during the process. It'll definitely be a case of the education being worth more than the credential, though it could help me in teaching online. Who knows? We'll see I suppose. Honestly though I'm just focusing on my new career and passing my classes at WNMU. During the summer months I plan on taking some time off of school and attempting a PMI certification such as the Certified Associate in Project Management, the CompTIA Project+ and then maybe in a couple of years the Project Management Professional credential. I think project management is pretty exciting stuff so I'm going to stick with that for as long as I can.
I hope that helps.