Should You Get an MBA? A Recruiter Reveals His Thoughts

I’m a veteran with 8 years of experience in my field and a bachelor’s degree. Will an MBA give me an edge over competing applicants with similar qualifications when applying for individual contributor roles?

You said if you want to reach the top seriously consider doing an MBA and went on the entire idea basically saying it is not useful xD confusing

Here's why I'm getting one, right or wrong. I have a Bachelors degree in business finance but no work experience. I get rejected for everything even internships. I don't quite feel confident in some software that companies require. I have decided to do more specialized degree in analytics related to finance. I could do several Certifications instead of a Masters but I feel more people are getting certificates so I wouldn't have the upper hand there. I know the cost can be steep however I have no student loans and with some level of hard work I will continue to pay as I go. For me this just makes sense.

This is why personal network > recruiters network. 😊

I was recently promoted by the board at my company to CEO and I don't have an MBA so it is possible. I have a long track record of execution in varying roles some within the company and most across my career. I didn't think I was going to get this position over other candidates with MBAs but I did well during the interviews. So keep pushing everyone anything is possible! I am thinking of getting an MBA just to make sure I have all the checkboxes for if I want to move to a larger organization like a Fortune 100, but I am still on the fence and currently way too busy to even handle that workload at the moment.

8:18 "that's another advantage" ??? You spent the previous 8 minutes saying that it is basically an unwanted degree. What was the first advantage? I missed it somewhere in there...

Think like an investor. $400k for an MBA (tuition + foregone compensation) needs to generate at least $30k a year in additional compensation to be "break even".

What are your thoughts on a career as an HR Business Partner

I've been a finance counselor for 4 years but I want to look into working for other companies. Idk if an MBA will help or if I need an MS in a specific major.

Very well presented

You just said sometimes you will filter by people with an MBA so you could be throwing out a resume from a great candidate due to laziness.

Thank you SO much for posting this video. This information helped me tremendously. 👍🏻

The same thing goes for professional certs like the PMP. There are PM's in my network that think they are worth $75/hr or more but only have 3 years or less as an actual project manager. Having a cert or degree is great but I've even had a conversation with a few C-suites in my network that say if someone has worked in a space for 10 or more years and no certs or masters degrees they would still take them over a candidate with less years of experience but have the degrees.

Idk that it was worth. Only thing it proves was some degree of work experience. My ex had a masters with 0 work experience requirement. MBA typically have work experience as a prereq to get accepted.

The Bachelors is still the gold standard. If you want certain Executive Level positions get the MBA, but a specialized certificate, networking, and hard work can move you up the ladder as well..

I think you need an MBA, or at least some experience working closely with senior leaders.

What are you thoughts on a MS in IT Management?

An MBA is a rather efficient way to learn biz-management buzzwords, which are necessary to maintain credibility in the organizational turf. Management has reversed the roles for at least a decade, expecting staff to speak to them in management vocabulary rather than accepting responsibility for developing enough knowledge of the unit specialty to lead it with some understanding. A rather generic example that crosses all professional specialties and careers is the expectation to be managed-up.

The MBA is not really respected unless it comes from a top tier school.

I got mine for free through my company and ended up getting a promotion and a 25% raise. Super worth it to me

I just got my MBA and went find job immediately, got cancelled most of the time and got forced to start at cashier position and worked my way up lol

For career switchers who are coming from a non-traditional background, the MBA is a good degree that allows professionals to pivot into entry level and mid-career positions at Fortune 500 companies. In my case, I got a BA degree in international relations and worked in urban and international education for 5 years. I will complete my MBA degree this year from a lower-ranked top 100 MBA degree program and will work as an analyst at a Fortune 100 company in a rotational program. I made the triple MBA jump in changing my industry, position, and geographic location. I expect my MBA degree will pay off in a few years as I will be able to move into a PM role in the distant future.

Yes, you can get an MBA online these days virtually for free of close to free. I would get one if your intention is to start and run your own business. Getting one and hoping it will get you the big bucks, while you work for someone else, is not a wise decision. It is a gamble.

From someone who has their MBA - really, unless your current employer is funding it and the strings/clawbacks are minimal, the ONLY reason to get an MBA is if you wish to change career, location and function. But you have to be careful here because if you’re doing it in the US you will need to go into a job which provides the ability to service what will likely be a pricey loan to cover tuition. Also remember that in MBAs, the school does matter more than undergrad. Typically, the top MBAs will exit into Investment Banking or Consulting, and some tech roles, which is where an MBA really does pay off. However, remember that these jobs require 80+ hour weeks and are generally miserable places. Not a hard and fast rule here of course but generally worth thinking about what you’re looking to get out of your MBA before jumping in.

Recruiters also create a Catch-22 situation where people who want to transition into a different career path are not given the opportunity. If they don't see experience, they toss the resume regardless of previous career achievements.

I have some additional/alternate views. A fictional scenario:

"I am a near elite level athlete- is it worth it for me to spend $100K to hire an elite running coach and take that next step and get my marathon time to world class levels and make the olympics?"

For many/most people they'd say "Why would I spend money on that? It's not relevant/won't help me. I'm never going to the olympics, not even close. It'd be a waste of money. There is no ROI." For most it wouldn't make sense. They don't have as lofty goals, aren't aiming for elite performance, and also don't have the athletic ability where the coach would make them elite.

But for the very high performer, not just the average performer, it's a way to alter/bolster your career trajectory.

For people stressing about the ROI, I think of it simply. If you're a high performer and the MBA gets you to VP at a Fortune 500, or beyond entry-level partner at large consulting Firm, you'll be making close to $1M. You'll forget about ROI, long term it will be a rounding error. Many of the people who you see and say "how the hell did they get such senior roles? How did they make VP or SVP or senior partner and make so much money?" had an MBA as a large part of their success.

Bottom line: If you're on the precipice of being elite in performance, a Top 5-10 MBA can be that extra push like the runner getting the elite marathon coach to make the olympics. If however you are fine with a more middle management path and are worried about the ROI, don't get it. You're in a different category and the stress of getting it won't be worth it, or the benefits won't be realized- you must be really exceptional athlete to get the benefits from such an expensive running coach.

This is the experience I've seen in 25 years of business at large corporations and within large consulting firms. It's an easier way to think about it rather than crunching ROI number spreadsheets (if you are doing that, self select out and don't get an MBA) or focusing on immediate salary bump. If you're focused on this stuff, it's the wrong stuff.

It can be a tremendous boost for near elite performers. By the way, beyond the Top 10 the MBA degree juice starts to diminish. So when I'm talking about elite and MBA's I'm talking the magnificent 7, schools like Booth, Stanford, Sloan, Columbia, etc.

For many it's not worth it. But for those with strong performance already and are playing the long game, I've seen it be a life/game changer.

There is no downside to any education or credential. Experience will always be the main focus. Without the correct paperwork you will not be paid as much. The paperwork gets you a seat at the table to at least start a conversation. I got my college degree (BSBM) at 48. Working on the MBA now. I also think it’s less important where it’s from if you have experience. If I were younger I could see the value of a recognized name school because of the networking and name value. At this point my resume paints a good picture and the degrees tick a box.

Thanks for creating this video.



I am wondering If I can get your thoughts on this:



- I have been working for over 10 years and have been feeling stuck in my career.

- During coffee chats, I was suggested to consider MBA or MS Computer Science (I don't have an undergrad in CS but saw there are some bridging programs out there for those who don't).



Wondering what do you think about MBA vs MS Computer Science?



- I think MS if usually for those who usually have around 2 years of work experience but may not be appropriate for those with more work experience.

- I think with MS CS one tends to become a software developer writing code. Pays well but just writing code.

- With MBA people usually tend to go into 3 buckets (consulting, IB/financial services & tech). My perception is that the work life balance of consulting/financial services isn't great and also getting there in mid 30s is tough but tech (product management seems to be the most popular role in tech post MBA, though the current tech economy isn't great with layoffs) seems more open with better work life balance.



Also, regarding MBA I hear a lot of buzz that some say it's worth it and some say it's not. There's this site/book the personal MBA that refutes that value of MBA: https://personalmba.com/. So don't what what to believe. Some quote this quote from the movie Goodwill hunting regarding MBA: "You wasted $150,000 on an education (MBA) you coulda got for $1.50 in late fees at the public library.”

Where I work, new hires get 10 to 15k more a yr for a Masters.

anytime you learn it pays off, the more you know the better off you are period.

Too expensive to get an MBA, specially from a top notch, elite university!! I have a BBA from MSU and half the jobs I want don't even require a BA or BS!

Experience will always win if you meet the basic qualification such a "bachelor's degree required". You can't go straight from a bachelors to a masters and at 25 years old expect a manager position in a fortune 500 company with 0 experience. An MBA makes sense if you have about 10 years experience and this strengthen your experience. I have worked with other MBA holders and some were good and some sucked period. You get an MBA if you want to be in higher management.

MBA is nothing but a useless paper.

it just teach you how to act as the communist Swamp hub.
nothing of significant.

Please do a video sharing your opinion on how recruiters view certs from online courses as a supplement to a degree.

(1) An MBA is a negative NPV project so get someone else to pay for it. (2) You will need 10+ years of management experience ideally to get value from it. (3) But don't bother with it if you are a man over 50 or a woman over 40, the upper management doors will have closed already to that as a booster. Your experience will be of far greater value. However, keep up to date with business subjects like marketing, finance, logistics, HRM and general project management and decision-making. Some knowledge of accounting is always useful. These skills are transportable and you will see where the opportunities lie in your own company or in another one.

Best way to get an MBA is if your company will pay for it

Hello I am graduate physiotherapist and I want to work in business not on my bachelor and I start and mba for change carrier than a bachelor in business for time and money save. Is right is mba bachelor and master together maybe ?

I'll be entering a graduate program soon, and I have about 20 years experience. However, I'll be pivoting in a different career... compliance so I believe it will be worth it.

I'm looking at getting an MBA since I'm not getting any solid offers with my undergrad degree. I'm working in manufacturing where I just need a HS diploma.

Not as valuable as an asset compared to 20 or 30 years ago. Too many schools are offering "MBA's" from inferior schools which has diminished the value of the degree from lesser schools.