Late Night Life Advice?

"AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC" (addictedtom3s)
06/28/2016 at 01:31 • Filed to: None

I try to keep most of my posts car-related since this is Oppo but this is technically an off-topic blog so I figure I can ask for some advice from strangers on the internet periodically.

Here’s the deal, I’ve come to the realization over the past few months that I need to get my life on track if I want to achieve my goals for the next few years. I even chose to hold off on my dream of owning an e46 M3 for a little while longer in favor of a BRZ since it should be more of a workhorse of a daily. I realized that I need a loyal side-kick that’ll be there for me while I try and get my ducks in a row. Then I can go and get that M3 — as much as it pains me to wait longer.

Because of that, I have become motivated to try and get an MBA as soon as possible to help reach my goal. I figure that I should get the MBA now (I’m in my early mid-twenties) while I still have the time and energy. However, I will need to continue working while I work towards the MBA so it’ll most likely be a local university rather than a prestigious top 5 university. My plan is to complete the MBA on the down-low and then take it from there after I am able to complete it.

So my question is, are there any Oppos who are currently or have completed an MBA? Would you say it was worth it? Is it worth getting an MBA from a non-top tier school?

Have a BRZ similar to the one I got last week for your time.

DISCUSSION (20)

phenotyp > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/28/2016 at 01:41

Don’t bother with the MBA unless it’s a big-deal university and you have big-deal connections.

(My two next-to-worthless cents)

Swayze Train GTi > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/28/2016 at 01:56

Well whatever you’re doing now you’re better off than I am, so take some solace in that. Haven’t gone to school yet cause I have no idea what to do, just working in the auto parts business now and supporting a pipe dream writing shitty articles about cars and hoping someone might one day decide to pay me for them.

Anyways you could afford to buy a new BRZ, which compared to my 1990 Miata (which, in it’s defense, is in excellent condition with only 55,555 miles on it), you’re doing just fine.

As far as the whole degree thing goes, you’re gonna be fine. You might not get a job that requires an MBA, but honestly most employers just care that you have a degree period. Hell, my dad’s got a useless degree in Theology and he’s made an upper middle class life out of it.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > phenotyp
06/28/2016 at 02:05

That’s what I’ve heard from the internet and my cousin. Although what if the university is decently regarded in the region I’m located in? As in, a pretty solid amount of tech companies recruit from there for business students?

JDMatt > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/28/2016 at 03:16

I just finished my undergrad at San Francisco State and I decided not to go to grad school because there is already a surplus of high-paying jobs in silicon valley. I quit my job about 3 weeks ago and I feel like everything will work out because there are even less unemployed smart people in San Francisco than there are “affordable” places to live.

My advice, try your luck and apply for a corporate job in a big city. If they really really really need you they’ll give you a housing stipend.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/28/2016 at 04:15

Don’t half-ass it. I know people with MBAs that didn’t really help them because they didn’t know what they were going to do afterward.

Also, there was an Imola Red E46 M3 on cars.com that was listed for 15.5k. I was soo tempted until I pictured buying it and my wife’s face turning a matching shade of bright red.

Jayhawk Jake > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/28/2016 at 07:31

I’m doing an MBA now. I think it’s valuable, and for me building a career within my industry I think it’ll be beneficial even though it’s not from a top tier school.

It just depends what you want to do. Change industries and move across the country for a new job? Wait and do it at a top school. Advance your career locally? Just stick with the local school

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > JDMatt
06/28/2016 at 08:23

Oh nice, a fellow Bay Area oppo! We should all get a meet going so we know who’s actually from here. I’m actually from the other large state university in the Bay Area. I am in a corporate job, I mainly want to advance in my career (and make a slight side-move to a different type of role) more quickly and hopefully get a salary bump with it.

samssun > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/28/2016 at 08:25

Do not downgrade schools to get in sooner/easier, brand is huge. If age/experience is what limits you, wait. If essays/GMAT are, improve them. For the latter you should hit log and power rules, then look up lists of hard questions and practice until you can get the “tricks”.

Meanwhile, if you let us know your area, possible schools, and stats, we can give more specific advice (two top 5 accepts in my late 20s fwiw).

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
06/28/2016 at 08:26

That’s genuinely helpful advice. Thank you. See, my thinking is I would try and get it done in two years. That means I’d be gaining experience while also getting the degree. Hopefully that becomes experience and a degree which can help me move along on my career growth. Does that at all sound reasonable? Or is that just a weird decision?

I might have spotted that same M3. I was also eyeing up a Carbon Black one locally going for 20k that was pristine. If only I was able to pick it up.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Jayhawk Jake
06/28/2016 at 08:28

Interesting. Do you mind if I ask how you studied for the GMAT? I’ve been looking around and there’s more options than there are in the Porsche configurator for this thing.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > samssun
06/28/2016 at 08:34

I’m in the SF Bay Area and I’m considering the state school located in SJ. Undergrad GPA was above a 3.5 and in a STEM field and graduated with honors. As for the GMAT I need to start studying for that this fall. Not sure if that’s helpful?

Jayhawk Jake > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/28/2016 at 12:34

They’ve got some free prep software or something, I used that. I didn’t do very well on it either, I’d probably pick up a prep book and practice more if I had to do it again

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/28/2016 at 13:08

Not weird. Is the program explicitly a part-time program? If it’s supposed to be full-time I’d think twice about working and going to school at the same time, unless you are extremely good with time management.

Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/28/2016 at 20:29

Hey Im down!!!

Im actually debating, along with saving up, to join the AAU’s Industrial Design program so I can design cars. Unless I can get a high paying gig doing data analysis and wrenching for semi-pro or pro racers lol. I used to work at a shop in hayward that was still in the start-up phase track prepping and track supporting local porsche guys.

I had to leave because it just wasnt paying the bills, but man do I miss working around cars. I worked for a small CPA firm for 2 years after. I thought about getting licensed but the regulations had changed just 3 months into that position. So I spent the last year looking at other opportunities to be a desk jockey/cube monkey/paper pusher.

Found my current work and man were the first 6 months an adventure. I was asked to do everything from plan a picnic & bbq, to our branch’s annual holiday party, to taking care of DMV papers for our trucks, to going out to the Sac Valley to find a new/used tractor and trailer, to finding real estate to relocate our branch to, to finding a full service warehouse and distribution center for one of our clients.

Its been slow lately, so Ive been keeping busy with the basics, and of course kinja. Also looking for new clients to either refer to our sales people, or to negotiate with myself haha.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud
06/28/2016 at 21:39

Sweet. It sounds like you’re near the Fremont area? I’m near the Milpitas area. Curious to know who else would be interested. Not sure how to orchestrate that though...

That’s quite an adventure like you said. It sounds like you do a pretty broad range of tasks. I can’t imagine it’s ever two days of similar activities.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > Jayhawk Jake
06/28/2016 at 21:41

Hmm thanks for the advice. Looks like I’ll have to do more research on the prep books.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
06/28/2016 at 21:42

Okay, I’m glad to hear I’m not completely off my rocker.

It’s got a part time program that takes 3 years. Then there’s a “full-time” program that takes the usual 2 years but the classes are only during the evening and weekends since the school tailored the program for people to continue working through the MBA program.

samssun > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/29/2016 at 00:52

I’d say go for something ranked (top 25-30), otherwise you’re spending a ton of money for something employers might shrug at, not to mention missing out on a powerful network. Take a practice GMAT to see where you stand, then just pull some lists of hard questions to get used to thinking that way and make your studying more efficient.

Give Berkeley a shot, and UCLA (commuting weekends). Also look into strong online programs: Indiana University and UNC have awesome networks and branding, and ten years from now that might land you an awesome transition. Temple and Carnegie Mellon are also top 20 schools with online programs.

AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC > samssun
06/29/2016 at 01:02

Thanks! I’ll probably use your approach of taking a few GMAT practice exams to see how I fare and take it from there.

Nimbus The Legend - Riding on air like a cloud > AddictedToM3s - Drives a GC
06/29/2016 at 12:32

I live in daly city actually, but fremont isnt that far. The only places i really consider far is south san jose and liv/dub/ples area...