<p>I'm a Mech.E. w/ 2 yrs exp looking to position myself for a mgmt role in construction/project mgmt and eventually segue into director of engineering or operations or the like (I don't really know). I have 0 formal business training/schooling thus far.
Questions:</p>
<p>Are online programs credible? Will employers accept the not-so-well-known schools?
Do they have quality? Are they water-downed versions of full time MBAs?
Will employers see MBA + full time work experience > just an MBA?
Is this a good time/$ investment- I think online MBAs might take 2-3 years to complete?
Any online program suggestions?</p>
<p>vs.</p>
<p>How long for a MBA? (I see anywhere from 12-30 months)
Are internships during the MBA program recommended?
Are the top X% MBA schools worth the cost?
Do top MBA schools take credit hours from state schools (I'd want to offset costs)?
Will top employers only look for top MBA grads?
Should I instead seek a "best value" MBA program?
Should I take any preparatory courses like finance/economics/statistics at a community or state school before I go?</p>
<p>Most of the value of an MBA is captured (or lost) in the initial recruiting/placement following graduation. The half-life is very short. Unless your employer is funding your studies, you should be planning to change jobs upon graduation and basing your choice of schools on the fit between their post-graduation placement and your career goals.</p>
<p>It’s a rapidly evolving market, but I’ve never heard of firms recruiting online programs. Most brick and mortar not-for-profit schools will have some firms and government organizations that regularly recruit their graduating classes. The quality of the opportunities and the salaries provided by those firms will vary greatly with institutional quality and location.</p>
<p>I suppose that you could learn just as much from a good online program, but I doubt that there would be measurable financial return on whatever you invest. The exception would be if your employer at the time of graduation recognized your education and was willing to use it as the basis for promotion to management. Assuming that you plan to remain with your current employer, you can find out most of what you need to know by simply asking whether they have a preference.</p>
<p>I think getting an MBA is a great idea but you dont have to do it online. There are schools that offer quality education that might be right near you. You dont have to rob a bank to pay the tuition either because they can help you find financial aid. With the work experience you already have, I think just having a degree will increase your prospects. One school you might be interested in is California College San Diego. They have an MBA program on campus and you can look through their website for more details. But like Ive been doing and I suggest that anyone should look into accreditation, California College San Diego student reviews and testimonials before deciding where to study. All the best!</p>