<p>Just wanted to run this by as a possible career option...
Need to either stay on track in my career, or switch out of IT which the salaries don't look so great and inflexible choices to live after research in other fields (I've looked at other options in philosophy/public policy)... This is the staying in IT track option I have come up with if I am going to keep at it.</p>
<p>Was thinking an MBA might take my career to the next level, but probably can't get in a top school out here in the bay area as they are (Berkeley and Stanford respectively) and I am not interested in relocating any time soon (other commitments)</p>
<p>San Francisco State has an MBA program which is accredited and reasonable and has a joint degree with Business Management Institute of the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis in France where you pick up the MBA from SFSU and Masters in International Business from University of Nice in the process. </p>
<p>I would like to get a job as an IT Director/CIO type, or even something high up at a consulate(e.g. trade and investments). Or something which would allow international travel as a bonus...and into the low 6 figure area, I make about 70k now. SF/SJ/Chicago/NYC are really the only future cities I'm looking at for employment or place to live. London/Paris internationally...</p>
<p>I have been in IT for 7 years (JPMorgan Chase, AON and for State of FL)...bored with the lower level stuff and want a less IT specific role. thoughts? I did undergrad in MIS at Florida State. </p>
<p>Would undertaking this program be worthwhile...or is only going to one of the Top B programs worth the investment? I don't know that much about B-School politics. </p>
<p>IMO, most mediocre programs are not worth the investment. The exception is where you have evidence of the program you’re looking at feeding into jobs you want. Don’t know a thing about SFSU, but it’s hard to believe it’s going to impress in NY, London or Paris.</p>
<p>In business, school is everything. Most business recruit from specific programs only. There is a huge salary difference been grads of top 10 programs and grads of lower ranked programs. Go to the best school you can get into.</p>
<p>I would recommend avoiding non top-25 programs unless a school is known for a particular concentration. Two that come to mind are Babson for entrepreneurship and the University of Oregon for sports marketing. Neither of those programs are exceptional beyond those focuses, but turn out great people in those respective areas.
That said, if you can get into a top-25 program I would go there over a school outside of the top-25 that has a strong reputation in a particular area of study you are interested in.</p>
<p>well how else would you ever get a CIO or IT Director type position without the MBA? Even if it is not a top 25? I can’t imagine staying in the doldrums of IT forever.</p>
<p>If you’re just looking to move up the ladder inside your current company just do a part-time MBA program (preferably on the company dime). That is about the only time I feel the part-time option is beneficial. Does your employer have a tuition assistance program?<br>
Experience will always outweight a MBA, no matter what school it comes from. Assuming you want to stick with your current employer, I would say do a program in the evening at the best program you can get into while continuing to work. After finishing, get a few years experience in a management position with your employer and move out from there.</p>
<p>I think prospective employers would be more interested in your work experience than your MBA school, so long as you have an MBA from an accredited school. I would recommend earning an MBA in the region in which you plan to work. If you plan to stay in the Bay Area then I am sure employers will recognize the local schools. Again if you have the right experience, I don’t see why that would stop anybody from hiring you. For what it’s worth, I know people who have gone to state schools, have local jobs, and are basically loaded.</p>
<p>There are more MBA jobs than there are students in top schools. If you can’t figure out the stats in that then you shouldn’t be in business.</p>
<p>In business it the person not the vanity degree. Chose your goal and commit. They will recognize confidence, strength of character, and aggressiveness before they recognize a degree. The degree help when you’re up against similar person and they need a decision factor. Build up on professional experience before and during your MBA training. Chose a field you love and you increase the probability of you success.</p>
<p>If you can get into, and afford a "top school’ then go. Otherwise your wasting time. In business, they hate people that waist time.</p>