Do any Opponauts have an MBA? Can I pick your brain for a minute?

"Stupidru" (Schm1an) 02/07/2014 at 13:59 • Filed to: None

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Hello fellow Opponauts- I'm 25 years old, graduated from a good engineering school, and have a pretty good job at a small company where I get to travel internationally, do hands-on testing, and get to manage projects (albiet on a smaller level), technicians, and draftsman. After seeing that Satya Nadella (Microsoft's new CEO) is also an engineer, that got me thinking... when is the best time to get an MBA? I know that my career probably needs another 1-2 years of technical development and at least a little more experience managing projects and people, but I'd like a little more background from people with similar stories.

Thanks!

Projectfinale > Stupidru 02/07/2014 at 14:11

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Kailand09 > Stupidru 02/07/2014 at 14:14

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I'm interested to hear about this as well, actually.

Projectfinale > Projectfinale 02/07/2014 at 14:15

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Broke it, whoops... I am a software engineer (26) who has also worked for smaller companies until recently moving to a large corporation. I want to get my MBA as soon as possible. Luckily my company will help pay which is the only reason I haven't done it earlier. I think having at least a few years under you will give you better appreciation and insight.

Textured Soy Protein > Stupidru 02/07/2014 at 14:17

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I'm not an engineer, but I do technical recruiting for a subsidiary of a big huge tech company that everyone's heard of and uses all the time and shall remain slightly nameless. But it's big.

If you want to work your way up from engineering into engineering management, an MBA is of limited value at the beginning of this process. I and people like me look first at experience, and make sure the candidate at least meets the minimum education requirements for the position. The minimum education requirements rarely include an MBA.

You would be much better served working your way into a tech lead type role where you're not necessarily directly people's boss, but you're the go-to person on that team responsible for a particular thing. From there, you would try to get people assigned to actually report to you. Now the kicker from here is to have actual hiring/firing authority where you're the final decision maker saying "I want to hire/fire this person."

Now the thing is, if you work in a company that will give you the opportunity to manage people, based on first being a lead engineer, you should stick with that company and take the promotion. Because companies like mine, we don't hire external candidates (i.e. people applying to our jobs) as managers if they don't have management experience. It's much easier to work up into management at a current company, than to go from being an engineer at Company A applying to be a manager at Company B.

So, back to the MBA. Once you've managed to get promoted and have some actual management experience under your belt, you can look at applying to other companies as an manager, or looking at higher level management positions within your own company. This is the point at which I would consider getting an MBA. But until you reach this point it's much better to just keep getting more experience.

hike > Stupidru 02/07/2014 at 14:18

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I personally don't have an MBA, but know a few people who are getting one after business school, where a lot just take a year or two off then go for it. I'd say you're not far off from going for an MBA. I have a friend double majoring in Economics and Engineering and he will pretty much be set after college with that combination. If you think you're up for more school, I'd say go for it.

Stupidru > Textured Soy Protein 02/07/2014 at 14:22

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Thanks for that well thought-out response! I was kind of thinking that might be the case. Become a medium/big fish in a small pond, then transition to become a medium fish in a big pond.

doodon2whls > Stupidru 02/07/2014 at 14:32

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Do you have any intention of pursuing an M.S. in an engineering discipline ? If so, I would get that out of the way sooner than later, followed by an MBA maybe 5 years later.

If you have successfully completed an engineering degree or two, none of the arithmetic used in business should challenge you. You _could_ pursue and probably complete an MBA without much difficulty right now, but you'll get MUCH more out of it after having several years of experience under your belt. There are topics covered in business school that will be understood much more clearly after a few years of industry experience - they require some real life experience to appreciate in many cases. Much of the MBA case-study style of teaching/learning is accomplished via reading, individual assessment, and then group discussion in class. If you don't have first hand experience with some of these topics from the real world, you might have difficulty preparing reasonable assessments of case study material and/or you might feel like an outsider to the conversations in class.

For example, I started work right out of undergrad engineering school, and my employer paid for my MS in engineering which I completed 2 years later (part-time in the evening, 10 classes). I waited 6 years before starting my MBA which I finished three years later (part-time in the evening, 16 classes) - also on my employer's dime. I had a great time while completing my MBA because I could 1) prepare thoughtful assessments of case material and 2) participate actively in class discussions - defending my viewpoint and/or refuting others'. OK, sometimes I accepted other classmates' viewpoints. ;-)

Just my $0.02 which is a bargain at my usual consulting rate. ;-)

DailyTurismo > Stupidru 02/07/2014 at 14:32

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The bigger question you've got to ask yourself is - do you want to be someone like Nadella when you grow up? Those MBA/CEO types work 24-7. Like always. Every day. No sleep. And there are 50 people at every company scampering at their heels trying to get time with the board to impress them as a potential replacement and 500 dicks at the next level...and so on. Engineering is a great gig and managing a small group is cool, but director level assignments and up...youch...they take massive amounts of your day and the money really doesn't start flowing before you hit a C in your title. What you should do, is take a good look at the older dudes in your company and decide whose life you want. Be sure not to overlook the older high level engineers (they'll be called principle engineer, chief engineer or fellow) as they make really good money, but don't have the finance group pressure since they are working on product that is years from launch. Whatever you do, don't become a dumbass middle management, slide-show, yesss-sirrrr, yaddy yadda MightyBitchAhole...please...don't need more of those in the world!

MazdaMonkey > Stupidru 02/07/2014 at 14:41

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I imagine it is mostly career specific. I got my MBA (Goizueta) from Emory, but we did not have that many engineering students. Most of the local engineering students get their MBAs from GA Tech.

Regardless, the average MBA student at Goizeuta had 4-5 years of work experience. Some had less, some had more. I would do whatever is best in your industry. Ask the people at your company (or the company you want to work for) what they have. If 8-10 years is the norm, an executive-MBA might be a better bet for you.

As a side note, aside from the technical exercise of getting an MBA, which is important, the other very important aspects of an MBA are the networking and career services portions. Many people use an MBA as a vehicle for changing their careers to something entirely different. If that is the case, then your work experience doesn't matter as much.

In addition, there is not better time to get a new job at another company in your own industry than when you are getting your MBA. If you like your job now, stick with it for another year or two. You may end up hating it, and the MBA is a perfect vehicle to get a job at a competitor.

'Wägen, EPA LOL > Stupidru 02/07/2014 at 14:41

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For me, the decision to get my MBA was when I no longer felt I had room to grow. If your company is willing to pay for it, I'd suggest sooner rather than later, but they will tie you up in a longer term contract. Most of my class mates had working experience, but not a ton. Pretty much the whole class was younger than 35. Very few people in the program I attended went straight from undergrad to grad school.

It seemed to be a general consensus amongst students that the quicker you make the decision to pursue the degree, it's easier to go sooner as opposed to later. It also seemed to be a consensus that students felt stalled in their current roles or companies prior to jumping ship.

Stupidru > doodon2whls 02/07/2014 at 14:42

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First of all, thank you for your response!

I have a feeling this is exactly what I'll be doing down the line, although I'm not sure I want to get my MS in engineering quite yet. My company probably will not pay for any advanced degree and I doubt I'd see any noticeable gains in salary, so I'd have to switch jobs before that happens. Not to mention I'm still paying for my BS, and will be for the next few years

jariten1781 > Stupidru 02/07/2014 at 14:46

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It really depends on what you're going to do with it. Most of the folks I know who have gone engineer to MBA early end up switching totally out of the technical field an into finance/banking. If that's your plan, as soon as possible seems to be the right answer.

I'm 32. My career path so far has been Computer Engineer for 2 years, Nuke Engineer for 5, Systems Engineer and Program Manager for 5. I currently spend about 80% of my time in finance, budgets, and contracts and am about to shift completely to management. My VP is constantly urging me to get an MBA but I'm just not seeing the upside right now. I'm being tracked for corporate anyway (somewhat against my desires) and internal competition, and competition in our sphere, is much more about who you know than what 'qualifications' you bring. I've yet to be convinced that the ROI for an MBA is positive for me.

Stupidru > DailyTurismo 02/07/2014 at 14:53

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Good point. I am at my 2nd job because I hated the corporate bullshit at my first company. Too many middle-management personalities who all got on their knees to the higher-ups. Not to mention El Presidente of my old company was hardly ever home and the VP would get to work around 6am and wouldn't leave until 7pm or later. Maybe becoming Engineering Manager or Chief Engineer wouldn't be so bad after all

Sinanigans > Stupidru 02/07/2014 at 16:57

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I don't have an engineering background or an MBA. But I'm in finance so I come across a lot of MBA's. Thing is, getting an MBA can open lots of doors outside of just engineering. An MBA can open doors for you in the consulting world- or better yet, make you a choice candidate for tech company or start up. I would recommend a couple more years before going that route.

Now, my advice is to kill your GMAT's and go to a top level MBA program. Most programs are in the $80k-100k range so you might as well go for tier 1 school if you're gonna pay that price anyway. MBA schools love engineering types because they're inundated with finance/accounting applicants. Good luck!!!!

Kailand09 > doodon2whls 02/08/2014 at 00:45

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I'll be graduating in engineering in a few months, trying to think ahead of what I want to do.

That said, if you feel uncomfortable answering don't, but with those degrees what type of position are you at now?

Also, do you regret going for either graduate degree? Was the MBA worth it?

Kailand09 > Textured Soy Protein 02/08/2014 at 00:50

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This seems like very solid advice, thanks! I didn't ask the initial question but am in the job search from engineering and thinking about long term at the same time.

doodon2whls > Kailand09 02/08/2014 at 16:22

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After a few years in Engineering Program Management (Administrata/Dilbert Hell, IMHO), I am in a Senior Engineering Management role now as a chief engineer and technical expert consulting for multiple clients. I lead, organize, provide guidance, travel, and most importantly get to engage at a technical level on the projects for which I consult. It's the best place for me to be with a strong mechanical inclination, and keen business sense. I make my own hours around my clients' needs and have no direct reports. I have no regrets getting either degree. I can't say I use all of the material I learned in either graduate school, but those seven letters - MSME + MBA - open a lot of doors. The USAF letters don't hurt either.

Kailand09 > doodon2whls 02/08/2014 at 19:58

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Great answer, thanks!

That really helps me understand some options so I can make a better informed decision with what I do with my future.

Now I just have to land the first job haha

BadMotorScooter > Stupidru 02/08/2014 at 22:09

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You are 25 now, what do you want to be doing in 10 years? If that is management then pursue the MBA now, especially if your employer will sponsor. The degree will steer and color your experience and make it that much more valuable. You will change your career trajectory toward management.

If you want to continue on the engineering path, then consider the MBA later. You don't have to do it now, and the MBA won't contribute a lot to your engineering path.

If you go for the MBA, choose an AACSB accredited school. This will provide the credibility, real education, and separation from the executive MBAs that are so common today. It doesn't have to be Ivy League but it is important to be real.

Oh, and regardless of your career goals I suggest getting your MBA before you have kids. It will be exponentially more difficult with young kids on the ground. ;)

chilichez > Stupidru 02/08/2014 at 23:05

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Go work. In 3 years, you won't believe you posted this publicly. Then get an MBA.

Stupidru > BadMotorScooter 02/09/2014 at 09:07

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I think after some of the comments here, the MBA can wait until my employer wants to pay for it. I'm not sure I want to be at the office 24/7/365 like some big wigs are. I think I'd be more comfortable being an engineering manager or chief of engineering where I can still work a normal 50-55 hrs/week, get paid enough to support my family and still have fun, and not have to pay for another expensive degree. Perhaps a MS in Engineering would be the way to go- we'll see. Regardless, kids will wait :) My wife and I are taking it all in and enjoying married life without rushing into parenthood