Is Getting an MBA Worth It?

Posted In: Other Good Stuff
Posted On: 3/21/2016


Tracy: I’m considering pursuing an MBA, but I’m not sure if it’s the right decision. Is an MBA worth it?

Jane: An MBA is a big decision because it takes a lot of time and a lot of financial resources. If you decide to pursue an MBA it needs to be for more reasons than simply getting a better paying job out of school. Each employer will evaluate the MBA differently and you can’t count on the fact that it will bring you a better job or greater pay. Your decision really needs to be based on building your personal skill set because earning the degree is about making an investment in you. I wouldn’t have said the same thing 20 years ago, but today I think the key criteria is more about having different work experiences. Whether it’s an internship or an apprenticeship, proving your skills in the workplace as opposed to having a graduate degree is a powerful asset.

Tracy: As an employer, does having an MBA impact your decision when choosing to hire an applicant?

Jane: For me, it doesn’t. I have worked at large companies where an MBA was required to get the job—and there are still a lot of companies like that. Personally, my bias is liberal arts majors because of their training in processing tough decisions. But, I look at the whole package and their experience. The MBA is a “nice to have,” but isn’t a key criteria when I’m hiring anyone into my organization.