<p>You've always given me great advice for every question I have asked on this forum and now I'm going to ask you another question. Please give me your honest feedback and experience.</p>
<p>I am currently a 3rd undergraduate biochemistry and first year MBA student. I am getting both degrees simultaneously in 4 years. When I first joined the MBA program, I thought it would be a great idea and that my future would be shining as brightly as the early-morning sun - of course not. I never thought to consider the fact that getting a MBA will over-qualify me for jobs that I should not be over-qualified for! I have no work experience, so the MBA is definitely not going to help me.</p>
<p>If I drop out of the MBA program (which is not from a top MBA school), I will instead get a dual-degree in Biochemistry and Management (with finance concentration). This will not over-qualify me for jobs and give me more options for when I apply for a full-time job next year. </p>
<p>I want to work at a Fortune 500 company as a financial analyst. I plan on applying to Google, Microsoft, JP Morgan, Barclays Capital, IBM, Morgan Stanley, etc...I will also apply to local companies. </p>
<p>If I go with the MBA option, I cannot apply to local companies, because local companies cannot afford me and I also will automatically be thrown out of the systems for entry-level jobs at big companies. What should I do? Should I stick with the MBA or drop out and get 2 bachelors degrees? I'm sure I'm missing some views on the advantages of getting a MBA, please tell me your opinion.</p>
<p>Well… if your MBA is not from a top school (and even if it was), I am not sure this logic that “they can’t afford you” makes any sense. If you would consider the salaries they would offer you to be beneath you somehow if you have the MBA (but not if you only have a BA), then there is a problem.</p>
<p>The MBA will only be a “problem” if you act like it entitles you to more compenstation. With no substantial work experience, IMHO, it really doesn’t. You might be glad you have the MBA credential later. I personally would stick with it, unless you have other reasons to drop it (workload, find you are not interested in the business side, etc.).</p>
<p>My MBA has been my great advantage. I got it only because several of my previous employers paid for it. I do not need it for my job, I do not need any degree for my job. However, interviewers often express appreciation. Salary has nothing to do with having or not having MBA. Pay is determined by the market and experience. Also, I have my pay cut by about 50% at new job and increased by more than that at the next one. I would not get it now though, since there are lots of companies that are paying for education. Both mine and my H.'s tuition were covered and even some books expences. My H. does not need his MBA either, but why not if it is free? There are several of people at my current job who just started on MBA just because job is paying. One of them in his mid. 40’s. All have families, kids. Whatever you decide, the best wishes.</p>
<p>Oh no, compensation is really not a problem for me. I would be very willing to take the same pay as a bachelors degree holder, because in the end, that’s what I am! The MBA is mostly just a title. </p>
<p>What I’m concerned about though is that the company resume systems might throw my application in the trash because of my MBA. Honestly, the MBA is just a title right now since I have NO full-time work experience. </p>
<p>For example, Microsoft wants someone who has a bachelors in Finance or Accounting or a related field for it’s entry-level finance positions. My MBA cannot take the place of a bachelors in finance, therefore my resume would never get through the filters and actually catch the eye of a recruiter at Microsoft </p>
<p>That is what I’m worried about, compensation doesn’t matter to me.</p>
<p>Trust me: A degree is what gets you into a door. What you can do is what gets you a high-paying job. I recommend that you continue with MBA, if there are no issues with regarding course-load and cost. One extra gig wouldn’t hurt. As a hiring manager many times in my life, I like to look for smart kids with tremendous drive. Everything else can be taught. The attitude and drive can’t be taught.</p>
<p>The only caveat I will add is that most people in an MBA program have about 5 years post undergrad work experience before they start their MBA (not all, and schools have loosened their rules about that a little, but the average MBA student is in their mid 20’s.) A lot of what you get out of the MBA classroom is built on having work experience(s) to reflect on and build on.</p>
<p>Yeah, I remember my professor telling my class that on the first day of the MBA orientation. That’s one reason, I’m considering dropping out - employers know that my MBA is worthless because I don’t have any work experience! </p>
<p>To my knowledge, a MBA in finance CANNOT take the place of a bachelors in management, econ, or finance.</p>
<p>If you lean towards dropping, do it. Get it later on employer’s dime. however, I can see that few business classes is a big plus in general education. Lots of science kids lack in understanding economy, current events, because they do not have any background in these area.</p>
<p>I initially thought the same thing, that the MBA would make my very competitive, but with no work experience, it’ll be more of a hindrance than anything. </p>
<p>I agree with you MiamiDAP, that science kids lack an understanding of general business issues! That’s why I still considered getting a bachelors in management instead.</p>
<p>“I will instead get a dual-degree in Biochemistry and Management (with finance concentration).”</p>
<p>This and a couple decent internships could help you land a job in the bio-tech industry. The MBA (and that extra year of tuition money) can wait. You also could talk with your professors, and find out if you would be able to return there after you have a bit more work experience, and complete the rest of your MBA in only one year. If that is possible, it won’t be such an either/or situation - more of a this now or this later choice.</p>
<p>You comment that it can’t take the place of a bachelor’s in management, econ, or finance does not make ANY sense to me. I have a BBA (Bachelor’s of Business Administration) from the University of Michigan and an MBA from another Big 10 school. There is a lot of overlap between the coursework (not a ton of difference except in your area of concentration). It would be silly to skip the MBA because it might cause a filter problem in HR in your first job search.</p>
<p>By the way… most jobs aren’t found thru HR anyway. They are found through people you know. Start networking, working part time for a local company, interning in the summers, asking friends of your parents (or parents of your friends) if they have any contacts, etc. HR is the kiss of death to many a resume, MBA or not. Your resume is probably MORE likely to be reviewed if you have the MBA. Even if it ends up for a job where you aren’t qualified, that person might have (or might pass your resume onto) another person with an appropriate job.</p>
<p>Regarding the experience level and the MBA. You would get more out of your MBA education with some work experience, no doubt. But you also will have to take time (years) out of the workforce or go to school at night to finish it once you are working. I would take advantage of the chance to do it now if I were you.</p>
<p>I think I’ve replied to your posts about your combined program before. If it were me, I wouldn’t finish the MBA. I say this as someone with an MBA degree from a Top 5 program (ranked anywhere from 1 - 5 depending on the list). Unless you’re convinced you want to stay in your geographic area and you’re never going to be interested in top tier consulting, banking, etc., I would not spend the $$ and time on an MBA from a non - Top 10 school. I also strongly believe that you’re not getting the most from your MBA program if you don’t have any prior work experience. At top schools very, very few people have less than 3 years experience (I had 3 years of top consulting experience in a variety of industries and I was one of the youngest in my program) and most have 5 years+. </p>
<p>If you continue your program, you are putting yourself in an odd position job search wise…I’m not sure that you’re getting dinged b/c of your MBA at more junior positions, but you’re definitely not going to be as competitive as other MBA grads who have prior experience when you apply for jobs/positions geared towards MBAs. </p>
<p>I think you should do the combined science/management bachelors, get the best job you can, work hard to advance and get promotions and then in 3-4 years apply to a top 10 school…</p>
<p>@ happymomof1 - I am not paying for the MBA or staying an extra year. I’m doing the BS and MBA in 4 years, so the extra year of tuition is not a problem. Also, I don’t want a job in the bio-tech industry, I want one as a corporate finance person at any company (e.g. Google, JP Morgan)</p>
<p>@intparent - that is awesome advice! I did not know that most jobs are found through networks, I thought that those HR systems were actually one of the biggest ways people found jobs…I will definitely look into this and your advice is making me lean towards finishing the MBA </p>
<p>@oldcmcalum - yes you have given me advice before! Actually, I am NOT going to apply for MBA jobs or internships. I know I’m not competitive for those and I probably couldn’t even handle it! I just don’t want to get dinged from entry-level jobs because of my MBA.</p>
<p>Honestly, I just want to make sure that I won’t be rejected from entry-level jobs because of my MBA and also if my MBA can take the place of a bachelors in Finance for some entry-level jobs - can anyone give me some direct advice on these two points?</p>
<p>My experience is that an MBA program typically consists of about half courses in a variety of business disciplines (for example, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Operations, maybe Business Ethics, Business Law, Macro, Micro, etc.). There is usually a basic set of courses you HAVE to take (everyone in the program does). Then you have the courses in your concentration. And a few leftover elective slots where you can go further than the basics if you want to (say, take another Accounting course, or another semester of B-Law). </p>
<p>So an undergrad business program is about the same. Except that they often have some core courses outside of business you have to take to graduate (unless your university has a separate B-school within it where they admit you after a year or two in another program, like U of Mich does).</p>
<p>So… what I am saying is that your coursework is likely to be very similar between a bachelors and MBA, and you should get some good general management grounding in the coursework you take in your MBA.</p>
<p>My basic advice is as long as YOU don’t let it bug you that you are likely to come out with a lower salary than you MBA classmates, continue on your course. I think it will pay off for you in the long run.</p>
<p>Thank you so much intparent! I know that I’m not as highly in demand as other MBA candidates are, so I still do see myself as an undergrad. I’m expecting about a 60k salary when I start working, anything higher would be icing on the cake (with strawberries :D).</p>
<p>@onecircuit - yeah that’s right. Actually the MBA courses are intense, but I’m very good at time management so I’m able to get both degrees. I entered college with 52 credits, that’s why I’m able to do it in 4 years. I could have graduated with a bachelors in 2 years - I didn’t want to do that.</p>
<p>But hey if that’s the reason I’m getting no respect for my MBA, then so be it…sadly</p>
<p>I dunno. This MBA sounds rather bogus to me. It’s by definition a Masters degree but you are doing concurrently with an undergrad degree? I will venture a guess that it is not AACSB accredited. In fact I can’t imagine its possible. Everyone and his dog these days is offering an “MBA” of different variation for someone who will pay- it’s a schtick- but I am truly not sure how much meaning that has. </p>
<p>As a professor of business, for the most part I know my colleagues do not think an undergrad degree in business (without prior work experience) makes much sense (though there are a few exceptions). Something like the “MBA” you are describing, makes even less sense to me.</p>
<p>I am a gigantic fan of quality and integrity over quantity and superficiality.</p>
<p>so that you know that my program is accredited, I’ve sent you a link to my business school (in a PM for privacy). The link page I showed you has all the accreditions of my school - since you’re a professor, you have most likely heard of this school.</p>
<p>I have no idea why this issue is coming up…my school is accredited! :rolleyes: I’m sure a top 40 undergrad school will not just have an unaccredited MBA degree :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I was kind of concerned this would happen in the real world - people would start thinking weird things about my degree and where it’s from! Sigh…:(</p>
<p>The biggest problem is that the credibility of an MBA that requires no work experience is suspect to people who are used to hiring top MBAs…it may be accredited and the courses may be rigorous, etc, but for people “in the know,” the value of that degree will be small. </p>
<p>You must be a super bright driven person to have entered college with Junior status…the reason I keep replying to your threads and encouraging you to consider the double-major and not the MBA is it leaves your options open to eventually pursue an MBA at a top program. I really think you’re limiting yourself at this point. You say right now you want a corp fin job at a large corporation, but what if eventually you want to move into banking or consulting or brand management or anything else where an MBA can be helpful? Having the opportunity to get an MBA at a top program in 4-6 years could allow you to make a desired career switch or jump a few levels in what you’re doing. It also gives you the time to get out, get a job and figure out what you really like…I agree with Starbright about undergrads in business not being the best choice in most cases. I think you could pitch yourself to employers now with the combined degree as someone who is super bright and someone who was admitted to the MBA program and took courses there, but someone who wants to get some work experience before heading back to B-School. I entered consulting out of undergrad with a combined Biology-Math degree. That science degree definitely gave me a leg up in interviews and they loved that I was bright and quantitative. You’ll be in a better position than me having taken finance, accounting and other courses that will be applicable to your desired corp fin position, but you’ll also be unique in on-campus recruiting and having Biochem on your resume will scream smart!</p>
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I did not know that most jobs are found through networks, I thought that those HR systems were actually one of the biggest ways people found jobs…I will definitely look into this and your advice is making me lean towards finishing the MBA 
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I just don’t want to get dinged from entry-level jobs because of my MBA.</p>