<p>I'm considering grad school to obtain my MBA (graduated with a BBA, majored in marketing) I am not quite sure if it's worth it or should I obtain work experience first. I am scared that if I do pursue my MBA and upon completion it will be difficult for me to get a job although I'd have the MBA but minimal real work experience. The school where I completed my undergrad offers a MBA program that does not require work experience. </p>
<p>Currently I'm working for an attorney as his assistant. I am somewhat interested in pursuing a paralegal program to certify me and allow my career to grow from there which has nothing to do with my undergrad degree. </p>
<p>Just seeking some advice on what option to take before I spend the money on a program.
Thank you.</p>
<p>An MBA without corresponding work experience is not likely to be particularly valuable in the marketplace. Potential employers will look at your paper credentials and wonder if they really mean anything, given your lack of real-world work.</p>
<p>What school would the MBA be from?</p>
<p>Many programs expect 2+ years of work experience, and the average experience of admitted students in many programs is 4+ years. I spoke with some admissions counselors and they said they also strongly consider how quickly you are promoted. </p>
<p>It’s not just about having work experience for your resume, in my opinion - what can you really add to your class discussions if you have little experience to draw upon? I held part-time jobs throughout undergrad, but I took a retail management position after graduating to bide some time before grad school. It is a whole different experience being immersed full-time in a position with increased responsibility. You have more trial-and-error, you build confidence in your professional skills, you observe more interactions and their outcomes, etc. And these benefits are all being noted by someone who loathes her current position, but I can still see how it has helped me to grow.</p>
<p>@bettieb2.</p>
<p>You definitely need to work for several years in a profession. An MBA is not worth the paper it’s printed on without work experience. And you will find that you will not be competitive for any job with an MBA and no relevant experience.</p>
<p>In class, you’ll also find that you’ll have LITTLE to NOTHING to contribute. Those with relevant job experience (ie engineering, medicine, science, business, law,…) will enrich the learning experience. But you will pretty much end up just sitting there, being bypassed by others in conversation. It won’t be fun at all.</p>