Should I get an MBA??

[CrushNasty]

I'm putting my 100% trust in you guys.  I'm graduating this semester w/ a BA in Construction Science and Management, but unfortunately not many companies were hiring with the economy the way it is... so, I'm thinking about staying to get my MBA and be done in 3 semesters. I really don't fit the typical Construction S&M Graduate (worked on farm, small-town) type of person.  I want to make as much money as possible, and think I want to get my MBA in Management.  I'm still on the fence, but need to decide rather quickly.  Anyone with any serious insight? TIA.

[steve dave]

If you are after money then, yes, get the MBA.  Good timing for it as you pointed out. 

[Oklahoma_Cat]

I like college bball better.  The pros seem too "one-man team"-ish.  I dunno, maybe just me.  

[CrushNasty]

Also, if anyone here has had similar experience and went on to get an MBA, what types of jobs are you working at today? or what were available once you had your MBA? I feel like w/ a BA in Construction Science and Management, I'm not going to be going after, or going to have the typical career options as the norm, but I also have a minor in Business completed (not that it really means much since I'll have an MBA)

[ltrain37]

As long as you can afford it yes...I did the same thing (although I was in accounting).  Now that I've been in the workforce for a few years a lot of co-workers are thinking about getting an MBA but are having trouble finding time and money to do it.  Plus, thats three more semesters of  

[CrushNasty]

As long as you can afford it yes...I did the same thing (although I was in accounting).  Now that I've been in the workforce for a few years a lot of co-workers are thinking about getting an MBA but are having trouble finding time and money to do it.  Plus, thats three more semesters of  

And you get to be on ksufans.com all the time!! 

[Rick Daris]

One of my best friends graduated construction science from kstate around 2000. He works for a company in San Antonio and makes well into six figures. I think if you are somewhat good at what you do and somewhat social (not completely retarded) then you should call it good, go get a job, start earning money and devoloping contacts. Things will work out well eventually. Or just lay low in the college scene and get drunk for another 18 months with no real responsibility. Toss up I guess.

[Darth Kramer]

Get a job first and see if the company will help pay for some of it....otherwise No...

[ltrain37]

Also, if anyone here has had similar experience and went on to get an MBA, what types of jobs are you working at today? or what were available once you had your MBA? I feel like w/ a BA in Construction Science and Management, I'm not going to be going after, or going to have the typical career options as the norm, but I also have a minor in Business completed (not that it really means much since I'll have an MBA)

I did it and am in a management-level position now, but a) my BS and MBA were accounting focused and b) I graduated almost 10 years ago when companies were hiring anyone with a pulse.  In this sucky economy, anything you can do to differentiate yourself is a good thing.  Plus some big companies have management programs and stuff like that...MBAs always look good when trying to get into those.

[steve dave]

I also have a minor in Business completed

A minor in anything will not help you at all (career wise)

[CrushNasty]

Like I said RD and DK... no one is really hiring. I interviewed with 8+ companies and most failed to even respond after multiple contacts. I have one job offer and I'm 90% sure they don't have MBA assistance.  I'm pretty sure 8 years into this company I have an offer from that I'm not going to make near 6-figs.  Its not a thriving, real rewarding company.  Not a bad job, but nothing I'm going to be making a lot of money with.

[CrushNasty]

I also have a minor in Business completed

A minor in anything will not help you at all (career wise)

Right... I basically got it by default.

[CrushNasty]

Paying for the MBA really isn't a problem. I'm not worried about that.

[Rick Daris]

Like I said RD and DK... no one is really hiring. I interviewed with 8+ companies and most failed to even respond after multiple contacts. I have one job offer and I'm 90% sure they don't have MBA assistance.  I'm pretty sure 8 years into this company I have an offer from that I'm not going to make near 6-figs.  Its not a thriving, real rewarding company.  Not a bad job, but nothing I'm going to be making a lot of money with.

Most people don't work in their first job for very long anyway. I really wouldn't worry much about the first job if I were you. Just an imo.

It really all depends on if your ready to be done w/ school or if you enjoy it and want to do it another year or two. I'm all for school so I would probably stay. That being said...if the job market is tough now, I doubt it will be much better in two years w/ or without a masters.

[steve dave]

Paying for the MBA really isn't a problem. I'm not worried about that.

Obviously get it then.  No question.  Also, ask your rich parents if your poor friend sd can have some money.  

[MOKSUAZ]

i would say if you're not strapped for cash and can wait the three semesters i'd say go for it.  the only reason i would say take the job is you'll be making money instead of 2 years from now when the economy might be in an even worse situation than today's market.  

[steve dave]

2 years from now when the economy might be in an even worse situation than today's market.  

balderdash

[MOKSUAZ]

2 years from now when the economy might be in an even worse situation than today's market.  

balderdash

it hasn't gotten any better since the bailout crap.  all i know is if you're in the architecture/landscape architecture programs right now, get the &@#% out of it as a lot folks i graduated with have gotten laid off and a few people that graduated in 07 and 08 are still looking for jobs. 

[steve dave]

2 years from now when the economy might be in an even worse situation than today's market.  

balderdash

it hasn't gotten any better since the bailout crap.  all i know is if you're in the architecture/landscape architecture programs right now, get the frack out of it as a lot folks i graduated with have gotten laid off and a few people that graduated in 07 and 08 are still looking for jobs. 

I say balderdash to you sir.  You just described every proffesion in the US outside of weird jobs like nursing.  Perfect time to go back/stay in school.  Job market will be much better when you are done.  That is a sd guarantee.

[Darth Kramer]

Like I said RD and DK... no one is really hiring. I interviewed with 8+ companies and most failed to even respond after multiple contacts. I have one job offer and I'm 90% sure they don't have MBA assistance.  I'm pretty sure 8 years into this company I have an offer from that I'm not going to make near 6-figs.  Its not a thriving, real rewarding company.  Not a bad job, but nothing I'm going to be making a lot of money with.

Most people don't make big money coming right out of college.  I'd say you're actually in pretty good shape if you have at least a job offer.  I bet most of your fellow peers don't. Not with what's going on in the economy right now.  College is alot more expensive (even KSU) than when I went to school in the mid 90's.  I'd hate to see what type of debt students are graduating with nowadays. I'd hold off on getting into anymore debt with an MBA. Anyway, I'd say right now getting your job experience on is really the most important thing you need to focus on....work a few years and then evaluate yourself on if you are happy in what you are doing? plus by then you will have the experience to decide on if that MBA will or will not help your career and your salary..yeah, you can stay and get that MBA but you still be just some guy with an MBA but with no work experience and accomplishments that you can pimp in your interview.  Probably the most successful guy I know who has an MBA is an engineer that worked for Texas Instrutments.  He excelled so well at his various positions within the company that TI actually sent him and paid for his MBA at Wharton.  Your talking what a 60, 70 grand, or more? MBA program...for free...He probably had to agree to stay on for so many years, etc. but he had to prove it in the workplace before he got to that level.  Now the guy just names who, where and how much when he looks for career advances.

[CrushNasty]

Paying for the MBA really isn't a problem. I'm not worried about that.

Obviously get it then.  No question.  Also, ask your rich parents if your poor friend sd can have some money.  

You were mean once 

No, but its a mix of savings and getting through a lot of undergrad on scholarships.

[steve dave]

Paying for the MBA really isn't a problem. I'm not worried about that.

Obviously get it then.  No question.  Also, ask your rich parents if your poor friend sd can have some money.  

You were mean once 

No, but its a mix of savings and getting through a lot of undergrad on scholarships.

sorry about being mean once bro, nothing personal.  Go to school though.  Undergrad degrees are a dime a dozen. 

[Rick Daris]

Paying for the MBA really isn't a problem. I'm not worried about that.

Obviously get it then.  No question.  Also, ask your rich parents if your poor friend sd can have some money.  

You were mean once 

No, but its a mix of savings and getting through a lot of undergrad on scholarships.

sorry about being mean once bro, nothing personal.  Go to school though.  Undergrad degrees are a dime a dozen. 

So are MBAs from schools like Kansas State 

[Darth Kramer]

Paying for the MBA really isn't a problem. I'm not worried about that.

Obviously get it then.  No question.  Also, ask your rich parents if your poor friend sd can have some money.  

You were mean once 

No, but its a mix of savings and getting through a lot of undergrad on scholarships.

sorry about being mean once bro, nothing personal.  Go to school though.  Undergrad degrees are a dime a dozen. 

So are MBAs from schools like Kansas State 

true dat..

[steve dave]

Paying for the MBA really isn't a problem. I'm not worried about that.

Obviously get it then.  No question.  Also, ask your rich parents if your poor friend sd can have some money.  

You were mean once 

No, but its a mix of savings and getting through a lot of undergrad on scholarships.

sorry about being mean once bro, nothing personal.  Go to school though.  Undergrad degrees are a dime a dozen. 

So are MBAs from schools like Kansas State 

that's like a quarter a dozen bro.  Quit bigtiming everyone. 

[CrushNasty]

Paying for the MBA really isn't a problem. I'm not worried about that.

Obviously get it then.  No question.  Also, ask your rich parents if your poor friend sd can have some money.  

You were mean once 

No, but its a mix of savings and getting through a lot of undergrad on scholarships.

sorry about being mean once bro, nothing personal.  Go to school though.  Undergrad degrees are a dime a dozen. 

So are MBAs from schools like Kansas State 

that's like a quarter a dozen bro.  Quit bigtiming everyone. 

UMKC? and be a fellow student w/ our ku friends that used to be here?? 

[CrushNasty]

Is the GMAT hard? I'm not dumb, but I'd need to take it v. soon if I'm going to try to be admitted by next semester?
Anyone taken it? 

[ltrain37]

Is the GMAT hard? I'm not dumb, but I'd need to take it v. soon if I'm going to try to be admitted by next semester?
Anyone taken it? 

Its been awhile  , but I don't remember it being all that bad.  The math section sucked...thats about all I can remember.

[wes mantooth]

Is the GMAT hard? I'm not dumb, but I'd need to take it v. soon if I'm going to try to be admitted by next semester?
Anyone taken it? 

I took it probably 3-4 years ago.  Kind of like the ACT, not really that tough from what I can remember, you don't really even need to study.

[steve dave]

If you did well on the ACT you will do well on the GMAT.  Same with LSAT, GRE, etc.