Executive MBA Program ?'s

5

561design

Member
 Woodstock,Ga
I've been thinking about extending my education once again. I already have a bach of industrial design and doing pretty well for myself with only 7 years experience. But I feel the need to push forward yet again and I feel I can do that easier with an MBA. During my research I had limited myself to schools in the Atlanta area that offered either an evening or executive MBA program. I had looked at Georgia Tech, UGA, Emory, Kennesaw State and Georgia State. I've been accepted into the Executive MBA program at Georgia State University. I choose their program over the others because of it's focus on current topics and international business.

Well, I found out today that my HR department will only sponsor me up to about $30k of the $52k to complete the program. So that would leave me having to finance an additional $22k. They did say they would fully reimburse me if I were to select an Evening MBA program in the $30k range. Which of course is very tempting.

Now I'm wondering if the Executive MBA program is worth the difference over an Evening MBA. In the Executive MBA I'm the youngest one to have been accepted into their program this year. I got in with only 7 years work experience as opposed to their required 10 years. So I would have as much to learn from my peers as well as the class itself. The quality of the professors appear to be better than found in the evening program. The curriculum seems to be more relevant to the industry as opposed to core academics. The scheduale would require me to be in class 8 hours on Friday and 8 hours on Saturday every two weeks. Also, part of the program requires a 2 week international residency.

In the Evening program, I would be paired with people more my level. 4-5 years work experience. It's focus is more academic as opposed to current trends in the business world. The scheduale would be a little easier on me with about two classes a week with each one lasting from 6pm-9pm each sesssion. No international residency required.

So do you guys think an executive MBA is worth the money of a regular program?
 
ovrkll said:
Make sure that Phil doesn't charge you for an "office visit" :lol: :poke:
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Exactly what I was thinking.... :P
But if he does make sure that activity on the computer while you're talking is note taking and not posting on the forum.... :fuelfire:
 
I did my MBA almost a decade ago. It was an enormous strain to part fund it, find the time to do it in the evening and bring up then 2 young kids. Was it worth it? Without a shadow of doubt. My income through a headhunted job change went up 50% in 2 years and a year after that I set up my own business.

Which course, executive, evening, etc. IMHO it makes very little difference. Once you pass, an MBA is an MBA, except in rarified circles that wnat to exchange names. The learning comes more form peers than the university and everything you learn is out of date in 5 years so you learn more and new as you go on. For me it increased business confidence, ticked a box, opened doors and gave credibility to business meeting input.

Go for what you can afford and peer group looks like you'll enjoy most.
 
Would it have any benefits to add it to an existing masters in your own field? I briefly looked at it a couple of years back, but I was curious what the additional value would be being self employed and so.
 
pvr said:
Would it have any benefits to add it to an existing masters in your own field? I briefly looked at it a couple of years back, but I was curious what the additional value would be being self employed and so.
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At this point I would say yes. From my research it is rare to find an MBA/designer combo. Personally, I'm familar with most aspects of a product. Everything from conceptualization to production. The part I am missing is the business end. After an MBA I should have a well rounded knowledge of any product based industry. From what I've read, creative types tend to get much more out of an MBA as their thought process is outside the norm of a typical MBA canidate.

Looking at my situation I would most likely top out at a lower to mid management position. I have already been offered a few management positions to which I turned down because I felt I was lacking in the business segment of the industry. I've topped out a little fast since management positions are typically reserved for people w/ 10-15 years experience. So what I'm hoping to gain from the MBA is the confidence to move forward and potentially to upper management position within 15-20 years.
 
561design said:
pvr said:
Would it have any benefits to add it to an existing masters in your own field? I briefly looked at it a couple of years back, but I was curious what the additional value would be being self employed and so.
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At this point I would say yes. From my research it is rare to find an MBA/designer combo. Personally, I'm familar with most aspects of a product. Everything from conceptualization to production. The part I am missing is the business end. After an MBA I should have a well rounded knowledge of any product based industry. From what I've read, creative types tend to get much more out of an MBA as their thought process is outside the norm of a typical MBA canidate.

Looking at my situation I would most likely top out at a lower to mid management position. I have already been offered a few management positions to which I turned down because I felt I was lacking in the business segment of the industry. I've topped out a little fast since management positions are typically reserved for people w/ 10-15 years experience. So what I'm hoping to gain from the MBA is the confidence to move forward and potentially to upper management position within 15-20 years.
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I think your right - most people get nearly all they need in their chosen field fairly early in their career and then through in job experience (of course there are exceptions) and what they lack is a broader understanding of business and management. So lawyers, accountants, engineers, etc. need a more rounded knowledge, which then enables them to rise to the highest levels of management. It is for that reason I would do a rounded MBA covering all fields of HR, Marketing, Strategy, Proces, etc. etc. I would also choose one drawn from diverse people. I learnt so much by mixing my background (consumer finance) with public sector, engineers, police, doctors, etc. etc. and seeing their pespective on the world.
 
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