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While I don't doubt that an MBA can increase one's earning potential, I'm really skeptical about its value to employers. I've worked with over a dozen MBA holde

While I don't doubt that an MBA can increase one's earning potential, I'm really skeptical about its value to employers. I've worked with over a dozen MBA holders from all the top schools and I've never been impressed with any of them. Some people mention accounting and finance knowledge as one reason to pursue an MBA. Paying tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars for such knowledge seems wasteful. I have also read articles in the past indicating that there is no correlation at all between corporation performance and whether or not top executives have MBA degrees.

nazgulnarsil 18y ago
+1, the in depth treatment of finance is overkill for someone starting a small business. Most MBA curriculums are intended for the large corporation crowd. Taking a couple accounting/economics classes in the course of your BS is time better spent.
- netcan 18y ago
  I am not necessarily advocating an MBA. But this line of argument can probably be applied equally to many if not most degree courses. Especially applicable if you're talking about a degree at a 'better' university vs one that might be cheaper or where you may be eligible for scholarship. If you want to learn most things there are probably better ways of achieving it. You can gain most knowledge almost free. But Universities give you a bundle of people, a framework, deadlines, teachers and the rest that amounts to something that people don't tend to get elsewhere. It also works without the highest possible level of motivation. While not glamorous, that's valuable. As far as needing the knowledge, it's a judgement call. There are courses out there with more of a small business focus. It's definitely not a prerequisite, but taking time & resources & dedicating them to gaining knowledge in this area can produce value.

3 ms·

While I don't doubt that an MBA can increase one's earning potential, I'm really skeptical about its value to employers. I've worked with over a dozen MBA holde

by anthonyrubin 18y ago

nazgulnarsil 18y ago
+1, the in depth treatment of finance is overkill for someone starting a small business. Most MBA curriculums are intended for the large corporation crowd. Taking a couple accounting/economics classes in the course of your BS is time better spent.
- netcan 18y ago
  I am not necessarily advocating an MBA. But this line of argument can probably be applied equally to many if not most degree courses. Especially applicable if you're talking about a degree at a 'better' university vs one that might be cheaper or where you may be eligible for scholarship. If you want to learn most things there are probably better ways of achieving it. You can gain most knowledge almost free. But Universities give you a bundle of people, a framework, deadlines, teachers and the rest that amounts to something that people don't tend to get elsewhere. It also works without the highest possible level of motivation. While not glamorous, that's valuable. As far as needing the knowledge, it's a judgement call. There are courses out there with more of a small business focus. It's definitely not a prerequisite, but taking time & resources & dedicating them to gaining knowledge in this area can produce value.