4 ms·

The fundamental critique of an MBA is that presumes "management" or “business” is a thing you can be an expert in, independent of the domain you are managing. I

The fundamental critique of an MBA is that presumes "management" or “business” is a thing you can be an expert in, independent of the domain you are managing. If you're a domain expert in something and also an MBA then sure, whatever.

justapassenger 6y ago
Business is very similar to software engineering. To be great, it’s an art, that most of the time often requires more broad skills. But you most of the time need also basic knowledge of fundamentals, and that can be enough to be just ok at your job.
tharne 6y ago
That's exactly it. There are too many MBA's who have never had a proper job, but will authoritatively tell others how to run a business they know nothing about. An MBA, to the the extent the degree should exist at all, should be something one attains later in life after getting some real world expertise and a hefty amount of domain knowledge.
- ericmay 6y ago
  I'm commenting on this small thread a lot because it's interesting so I do apologize for that - but where are these MBAs who have never had a proper job getting hired at? I read this and think damn I've had a proper job that I worked at for years before doing my MBA (which I did while working) + 4 years on active duty in the military - and I've really struggled in the job market as it pertains to working at some top companies or startups and it scares me to think maybe I'm getting outcompeted by other MBA program graduates that haven't even held a job before. Not that they can't be capable, but still.... I can't even get a job or interview as a product analyst at this point. No "1-3 years of formal product experience" on my resume... guess I could never do that job! (sorry /rant I've been going through a rough patch with this lately)
  - zsmi 6y ago
    I was thinking the exact same thing. I don't have an MBA myself but I've been asked to write a number of recommendation letters to business school over the years. https://teach.com/resources/how-to-get-into-business-school/ https://teach.com/resources/how-to-get-into-business-school/ It seems in general one needs a degree, a passing GMAT, 2-3 years experience and a recommendation letter. But then again, maybe successfully gaming the entrance to business school is how one demonstrates they're ready for a leadership position in the business world... Just kidding. Kinda ;)
  - refenestrator 6y ago
    Management consulting, where they also do not develop deep experience in any field, and then somehow they're qualified in some general 'business' field and can be hired to senior positions.
  - mdorazio 6y ago
    It varies by school, but here's the list for Wharton [1]. In general, it's a lot of consulting and finance followed by various types of roles at Fortune 500 companies. Plenty go to FAANG as well, though. [1] https://poetsandquants.com/2019/10/25/these-companies-hired-almost-all-of-whartons-867-mbas-this-year/?pq-category=mba-jobs/ https://poetsandquants.com/2019/10/25/these-companies-hired-...
    - caddemon 6y ago
      My understanding is it's very difficult to get into Wharton MBA without having worked a bit first. Even the "out of undergrad" admits usually get in via a 2+2 program where they spend their first 2 years working at a partner company. I believe most top MBA programs are like this, and everyone I've encountered from a mid tier MBA was doing it part time while working because their company paid. Not saying MBAs have a ton of practical experience going in, and I wouldn't be surprised if the professors are pretty far removed from any practical experience. But I also don't think it's accurate to say most MBAs haven't worked a real job before. [At least not most MBAs that the average SWE on HN would encounter. People that got an MBA from Random U because they didn't know what else to do are probably not being hired at major tech companies.]
walshemj 6y ago
That was the original point of an MBA it was for a small number of highflying midcareer executives in large companies who had several years of real world experience. Now a lot of the time its gamed for points on immigration systems.

justapassenger 6y ago

Business is very similar to software engineering. To be great, it’s an art, that most of the time often requires more broad skills. But you most of the time need also basic knowledge of fundamentals, and that can be enough to be just ok at your job.

tharne 6y ago

That's exactly it. There are too many MBA's who have never had a proper job, but will authoritatively tell others how to run a business they know nothing about. An MBA, to the the extent the degree should exist at all, should be something one attains later in life after getting some real world expertise and a hefty amount of domain knowledge.

ericmay 6y ago
I'm commenting on this small thread a lot because it's interesting so I do apologize for that - but where are these MBAs who have never had a proper job getting hired at? I read this and think damn I've had a proper job that I worked at for years before doing my MBA (which I did while working) + 4 years on active duty in the military - and I've really struggled in the job market as it pertains to working at some top companies or startups and it scares me to think maybe I'm getting outcompeted by other MBA program graduates that haven't even held a job before. Not that they can't be capable, but still.... I can't even get a job or interview as a product analyst at this point. No "1-3 years of formal product experience" on my resume... guess I could never do that job! (sorry /rant I've been going through a rough patch with this lately)
- zsmi 6y ago
  I was thinking the exact same thing. I don't have an MBA myself but I've been asked to write a number of recommendation letters to business school over the years. https://teach.com/resources/how-to-get-into-business-school/ https://teach.com/resources/how-to-get-into-business-school/ It seems in general one needs a degree, a passing GMAT, 2-3 years experience and a recommendation letter. But then again, maybe successfully gaming the entrance to business school is how one demonstrates they're ready for a leadership position in the business world... Just kidding. Kinda ;)
- refenestrator 6y ago
  Management consulting, where they also do not develop deep experience in any field, and then somehow they're qualified in some general 'business' field and can be hired to senior positions.
- mdorazio 6y ago
  It varies by school, but here's the list for Wharton [1]. In general, it's a lot of consulting and finance followed by various types of roles at Fortune 500 companies. Plenty go to FAANG as well, though. [1] https://poetsandquants.com/2019/10/25/these-companies-hired-almost-all-of-whartons-867-mbas-this-year/?pq-category=mba-jobs/ https://poetsandquants.com/2019/10/25/these-companies-hired-...
  - caddemon 6y ago
    My understanding is it's very difficult to get into Wharton MBA without having worked a bit first. Even the "out of undergrad" admits usually get in via a 2+2 program where they spend their first 2 years working at a partner company. I believe most top MBA programs are like this, and everyone I've encountered from a mid tier MBA was doing it part time while working because their company paid. Not saying MBAs have a ton of practical experience going in, and I wouldn't be surprised if the professors are pretty far removed from any practical experience. But I also don't think it's accurate to say most MBAs haven't worked a real job before. [At least not most MBAs that the average SWE on HN would encounter. People that got an MBA from Random U because they didn't know what else to do are probably not being hired at major tech companies.]

walshemj 6y ago

That was the original point of an MBA it was for a small number of highflying midcareer executives in large companies who had several years of real world experience. Now a lot of the time its gamed for points on immigration systems.