Combined B.S. Engineering - M.B.A. 5-Year Program

<p>Which combined B.S. Engineering - M.B.A. 5-Year Program would hold the most weight when finding a job. I am not sure which field of engineering I am learning towards yet. Please make a note if the field of engineering would make a difference.</p>

<p>Possible Schools:
Washington University in St. Louis
Carnegie Mellon University</p>

<p>Thanks
naatiia</p>

<p>I have a BS ChemE and am working on my MBA, and I wouldn't suggest the combined programs unless the BS was in Industrial Engineering or if you don't plan on working in a field that requires an engineering degree. </p>

<p>It is highly unlikely that a freshly minted MBA AND engineer would be given the reins of an engineering department and if you don't land a career that utilizes the MBA it won't be taken seriously when you do decide to use it. It's a "use it or lose it" degree, IMO.</p>

<p>Industrial Engineering is pretty akin to Operations Management and I think that you might get a supervisor or management position (probably not of engineers though) with the BS/MBA degree right out of school.</p>

<p>Still, if you want to go into banking, insurance, marketing, or finance then the BS/MBA program would probably be a good idea. Then, in that case I would suggest whichever engineering degree you think you could do best in, or Mechanical since it's pretty well rounded.</p>

<p>A combined 5 year from either of these schools would be great. But know that you would be entry level position (not head of a dept) on graduating. But you'd be in a good position for advancement. I have degrees from CMU. BS Chem then MBA. (with only 1.5 yrs of work experience in between) As a 24 yr old I had no problems getting very good job offers after MBA and advancing in my job. I was desirable because I "spoke" 2 languages tech and business. One appeal of 5 yr program (and CMU has an excellent one) is saving some tuition $$$.</p>

<p>
[quote]
It is highly unlikely that a freshly minted MBA AND engineer would be given the reins of an engineering department and if you don't land a career that utilizes the MBA it won't be taken seriously when you do decide to use it. It's a "use it or lose it" degree, IMO.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Pay a whole lot of attention to this comment. It is spot on. In many cases, 5-year MAs or MBAs are treated as BA hires in places like investment banks. Could you do a business minor instead, work for a couple of years, and then do an MBA? That way, you'll likely get into a more prestigious MBA program. Also, if you hate whatever it is you are doing at that point, you can easily career-switch after the MBA and go into a whole new field. The MBA IS use it or lose it. Its greatest value is for those who are just getting minted and going through the on-campus recruiting process. You won't get the same on-campus opps in a 5-year program especially at the schools you named.</p>

<p>On the other hand, if you know exactly the field you want to be in and just want to work your way up there, it could be okay depending on the field.</p>

<p>I'm going to go against conventional wisdom here and say if you can do it from CMU, DO IT! It is a GREAT MBA and I believe will give you a great tool for advancement and you wouldn't have to do it later on. I wouldn't do this from lower ranked MBA schools though.</p>