For years, I struggled with the question of whether or not an MBA degree was worth my time and money. Any degree program is a big investment, but from what I gathered through researching programs, an MBA degree was a significantly bigger investment than other degree programs at the graduate level. I already had completed my bachelors degree in information technology, so did I need another degree, especially a business one? It was a tough decision, and as I did my own research, I came to the answer that I would go after an MBA degree. I’m sharing this now for those who are sitting on the fence and trying to decide whether a non-technical degree is worth the investment.
PIvotal Career Point
I have over 20 years of IT experience in both the private and public sector. Additionally, I have a bunch of IT certifications, so I didn’t feel like I needed a non-technical degree. I had so much technical experience, but I felt like I had all my eggs in one basket. Also, I was at a point in my career where I felt like something was missing. A bachelor’s degree these days doesn’t always hold the same value that it did decades ago. I didn’t feel like it was enough to get me where I wanted to go, both career wise and salary wise.
Diversify Knowledge Base
Most importantly, I felt like I needed to diversify my knowledge base. The bulk of my experience has been in government contracting, and I wanted to know the business side of contracting. I wanted to be involved in the scoping of new work and the Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Gaining an understanding of the contracting business side of things coupled with my deep technical knowledge was the path forward for me. With my knowledge base spanning both the business and technical world, I’ve had many opportunities that didn’t exist before.
Look Further Than 5 Years Down the Road
I hate walking into an interview and one of the canned questions I’m asked is “where do you see yourself in 5 years?” How can you possibly know that? Can we petition to get that question removed from all interviews for the rest of time please? I’d like to respond just once with, “I want to be a zillionaire, sitting on a beach relaxing.” The truth is, you need to ask yourself this question long before any interview. However, I would suggest going beyond 5 years. Where do you want to be in 10 years? 15? This was a crucial question for me personally in my decision process.
I didn’t want to still be doing heavy technical lifting 10 to 15 years down the road. I wanted to be a decision maker. That was it for me. I knew at that point, I needed an MBA.
Talk to Others in Your Career Field
There aren’t enough articles in the world to stress the importance of a good professional network. Talking to others in my career field that have been in my shoes before was very helpful in the decision process. What was important was to find someone that chose to not pursue an MBA, and why they chose against it. Additionally, I needed to find someone who chose to obtain an MBA. What was their “why?” Talking to others that have been in your shoes can prove to be a great tool to use in this decision process.
Weigh the Financial Pros & Cons
Degrees aren’t free. Unless you qualify for a scholarship or grant, you are going to have to pay for it. Some choose to get student loans and others just try to finance it through their own paycheck. Either way, sit down and do your research. Weigh the financial pros and cons of pursuing a degree. I knew I was going to need financial aid, and I was okay with that because the pros of having the degree outweighed the cost. Finances are a big part of the decision process, but also track your expected return on investment later. Make a list of the pros and cons and decide whether or not the investment is worth it.
Know What You Want
In the end, you shouldn’t base your decision on what your current company wants you to do. You may not always work for them, and they may not be paying for it. What is most important is to know what YOU want. If you want an MBA degree, go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
