I have an engineering background and have been working in the industry for almost 5 yrs…i have a few years before i hit 30. i think if i do plan on pursuing mba then this would be the right time. anybody switched to mba/law from engineering? i realize there might be a certain risk involved but you can always minimize the risk.
i live in chicago area so i would prefer to enroll in a good mba program. if i don’t get in then that would probably be a sign for me to not go ahead with it. :—)
Re: Anybody went to MBA/LAW from engineering?
Engineering + MBA is an excellent combination, go for it.. I've seen a lot of people use this path to overcome the growth stagnation associated with purely technical jobs. I'm planning the same path too.
Re: Anybody went to MBA/LAW from engineering?
There are plenty of people who have shifted from engineering to business/law. One of my cousins was a double E and one day he decided to make a career shift to law (patents). Went back to school and now works in Big Law.
If you’re in Chi-town, I’d recommend Chicago or Northwestern for B-School. Chicago is quant /finance theory heavy, Nwth is amazing in Ops, Marketing.
All the best!
Re: Anybody went to MBA/LAW from engineering?
i think u should go far MBA rather than law .........
but do watch "3idiots" first ;)
I have friends who are engineers and did/are doing their MBA. I'm an engineer and might start my mba this year.
my only advice would be to figure out what area you want to work in. be specific and if you don't know yet, then invest time to figure out where you want to go with the MBA. then, research schools that fit your goals/plans, etc. if you go in with vague plans, it won't be the best use of your money/time because the degree tends to be so short... plus your peers/competitors will have a very good idea of what they want before they get in. they'll have a leg up on you. so, do your research.
Re: Anybody went to MBA/LAW from engineering?
pak-one, yes both chicago and north western are good schools. but getting in them might not be that easy.
samb, that is a good point but might be tough. have you decided yet? i still have a year before i apply..
personally, i think mba is all about networking and meeting people..the skills you need to be successful can be learnt on the job. if my aba ji owned goldman sachs then i would not have bothered with an mba.
ideally, i would have liked to study part time with company sponsorship..my current employer would not sponsor an MBA so it will be out of my pocket. i think most employers will not pay for their engineering employees to enroll in a non-technical program.
pak-one, yes both chicago and north western are good schools. but getting in them might not be that easy.
Think ROI.
For most people doing ok in their careers, anything less that a Top 20 MBA is not worth it. You’ll want access to a top notch network, recruiters, and will be able to really enjoy the 2 year experience.
Sure you can go to a lesser ranked school and still land a solid position, the chances are working against your favor. Also, a few things to think about: What kind of economy you will be graduating into? That can have a significant impact with regard to your lifetime earnings.
Re: Anybody went to MBA/LAW from engineering?
^ I don’t necessarily agree Pak-one... partly owing to my own experience during/after my MBA. I got my MBA from what is generally considered a tier-2 school due to two reasons:
i) The concentration I was interested in was fairly new and only offered at this one school at the time ;
ii) The two tier-1 schools I got into were out of my reach despite the scholarships that were offered to me, and I was planning to self-finance my education through full-time work
I already had about four years of work experience after my undergraduate degree, with multiple consulting engagements with fortune 100 companies, and the way I saw it at the time and would still contend that getting an MBA for someone like me was more than just stacking up credentials for making more money. There were other strong points in my portfolio including diverse work experience and up-to-date industry endorsed qualifications in my areas of expertise. So an MBA would add more to my existing credentials rather being the sole “wow” factor. Also, when it came to alumni networks, I found the smaller school alumni community to be more well knit, responsive, and helpful, while some of my colleagues who were at bigger/”better” schools complained of very mechanistic/generalized help that was available through their alumni services.
So, there are multiple factors that need to be considered in one’s decision about an appropriate MBA school. Not everyone’s going to want to be a CEO, not everyone’s going to have the finances to fund their degrees comfortably, not everyone is going to be in a situation where an MBA on their résumé is going to be the only high point.
Think ROI.
For most people doing ok in their careers, anything less that a Top 20 MBA is not worth it. You’ll want access to a top notch network, recruiters, and will be able to really enjoy the 2 year experience.
Sure you can go to a lesser ranked school and still land a solid position, the chances are working against your favor. Also, a few things to think about: What kind of economy you will be graduating into? That can have a significant impact with regard to your lifetime earnings.
i think you misunderstood me. Chicago is my first preference but as i said it is not that easy to get into. that does not mean that i will not apply at Chicago. This is why i said earlier """i live in chicago area so i would prefer to enroll in a good mba program. if i don't get in then that would probably be a sign for me to not go ahead with it."""
i agree with what you have mentioned which is what the general consensus is. regardless of all this, i personally will not be motivated to do mba if it is not going to be from a good school.
Re: Anybody went to MBA/LAW from engineering?
So what happens if someone does not get into a top 20, but it's #25, does it mean abort mission and keep trying until one gets into a top 20?
What about someone who just can't get into s top 20
all is fine that top schools matter, but, if a top school is not in reach fir whatever reason, then is one better off sans MBA or would it still help their career if they get it?
Re: Anybody went to MBA/LAW from engineering?
Lucid, you definitely make good points. However, this can probably be compared to a common assumption that you need to have a good GPA to get a job after graduating. However, somebody with some good internships and low GPA can still manage to get a job as oppose to somebody who has a decent GPA and no experience. But having a good GPA would increase your probability of getting a job.
By getting a degree from a good school, you are increasing your chances of securing a job or getting your foot in the door. But thats all it really does, it is not a guarantee.
Lucid, you definitely make good points. However, this can probably be compared to a common assumption that you need to have a good GPA to get a job after graduating. However, somebody with some good internships and low GPA can still manage to get a job as oppose to somebody who has a decent GPA and no experience. But having a good GPA would increase your probability of getting a job.
Exactly - so there are many variables to consider... not just the ranking of the school.
^ I don’t necessarily agree Pak-one... partly owing to my own experience during/after my MBA. I got my MBA from what is generally considered a tier-2 school due to two reasons:
i) The concentration I was interested in was fairly new and only offered at this one school at the time ;
ii) The two tier-1 schools I got into were out of my reach despite the scholarships that were offered to me, and I was planning to self-finance my education through full-time work
I already had about four years of work experience after my undergraduate degree, with multiple consulting engagements with fortune 100 companies, and the way I saw it at the time and would still contend that getting an MBA for someone like me was more than just stacking up credentials for making more money. There were other strong points in my portfolio including diverse work experience and up-to-date industry endorsed qualifications in my areas of expertise. So an MBA would add more to my existing credentials rather being the sole “wow” factor. Also, when it came to alumni networks, I found the smaller school alumni community to be more well knit, responsive, and helpful, while some of my colleagues who were at bigger/”better” schools complained of very mechanistic/generalized help that was available through their alumni services.
So, there are multiple factors that need to be considered in one’s decision about an appropriate MBA school. Not everyone’s going to want to be a CEO, not everyone’s going to have the finances to fund their degrees comfortably, not everyone is going to be in a situation where an MBA on their résumé is going to be the only high point.
Lucid, I am not doubting your reasons here, but if we return to numbers that can extrapolated over a lifetime top 20 schools are far stronger then the rest. That is not to say that you won't be able succeed without a solid MBA, the outliers discussion is a different matter altogether.
Completing an MBA for scholastic reasons is great, but it's starkly different from the vast majority of degree seekers who are looking for career advancement. A few points:
A top20 is exactly what the average person who does not want to be a CEO will need. In fact there are more F500 CEOs from lesser ranked schools than you would expect, however most senior management roles tend to go to Top20 grads. So getting a good MBA degree is more useful than not.
I don't assume that anyone has $160K + laying around, which is why the ROI becomes more important. If you're going to drop six figure, plus the lost opp costs and career advancement potential, is Wharton or School X a better bet? Most people would chose Wharton for the exit opps and the ability to pay back the student loans.
Unlike Law and Medicine, MBAs don't have to contend with additional certifications (USMLE, Bar exams) and coupled with wide availability of Business programs throughout N. America, the market is flooded with MBAs. I would contend that even a Top20 MBA isn't a guarantee for a successful career, it just allows you to be comparatively well positioned. If places like HBS and Wharton are churning out 700-800+ grads a year, one will have to go beyond the brand. However no one can deny that landing an summer internship (critical for career changers like HB) is significantly easier due to the massive recruiter access at both of the schools. What you do with the internship is up to you.
The Alumni/Career services help may be mechanistic but it gets results. Without the strong results, the Top20 would not be where they are, both in terms or rankings and alumni participation. As for strong network, not all Top20 schools are like HBS, Wharton..Places like Tuck and Cornell have the tightest yet most diverse networks that would put the big guys to shame.
In terms of high points on the resume, I would hope that the MBA even if it's from HBS is not the high point. Part of what is great about the degree is the ability to form bonds and strengthen networks, the cross pollination of ideas and perspectives. I don't make the claim that being in Top20 program will expose you to a uniformly intelligent student body, however you will find highly motivated and focused peers, which is usually a more rewarding experience. Particularly when you compare that programs where people are getting the degree solely for the credential on the resume.
That being said, I am pretty leery of the MBA degree. It's applicable to very specific subsets of people: Career changers, career advancers, and those interested in management. Many people get the degree for the wrong reasons. I have real estate agents who went to business school and add MBA to their card. To me that's a joke, as am management degree is not required for a successful career as a real estate agent. On the flip side, if you're looking to get into PE/VC schools/networks will matter a lot more.
i think you misunderstood me. Chicago is my first preference but as i said it is not that easy to get into. that does not mean that i will not apply at Chicago. This is why i said earlier """i live in chicago area so i would prefer to enroll in a good mba program. if i don't get in then that would probably be a sign for me to not go ahead with it."""
i agree with what you have mentioned which is what the general consensus is. regardless of all this, i personally will not be motivated to do mba if it is not going to be from a good school.
Got it. Good for you, always try to do the best you can. I think that you should work on doing well on the GMATs and weaving a "story" for your essays/interviews and inshallah you will do well.
Also, bear in mind that there are plenty of other great schools if you are able to open up your geographic preferences/relocate. Either way keep us posted (even if you go the law school route).
So what happens if someone does not get into a top 20, but it's #25, does it mean abort mission and keep trying until one gets into a top 20?
What about someone who just can't get into s top 20
all is fine that top schools matter, but, if a top school is not in reach fir whatever reason, then is one better off sans MBA or would it still help their career if they get it?
That's why one needs to review their personal situation and calculate their ROI. Under the current economic climate, keeping in mind that HB would be a career changer, it makes more sense to go to the 2 schools in Chicago. On the other, if he does a PT program with company sponsorship (full time work), switching to a different sector (Finance for example) will be comparatively difficult due to the lack of internship and access to on campus recruiting. Not saying it's impossible, but a very challenging decision.
Again, if someone get's into a top 25, they will need to make the judgment whether its worth it or not. In those cases, regional reputation, local network strength and other factors such as scholarships come into play. My goal is to encourage people to do the best they can and target the best schools possible. After all, if you are taking 2 years off from your career, spending countless dollars, wouldn't you want to go the best place that will advance/shift your career?
Re: Anybody went to MBA/LAW from engineering?
Also in regards to the GPA issue a few points:
For most Top20 B-schools, GPA is not exactly a major concern. Many of the recruiters operate under the belief that the tops schools have done the "vetting" for them. Most of the time, the focus shifts to GMAT Scores/Summer Internships/your story. That is why until recently HBS had an NDA on grades. (For some inside info: you can still differentiate yourself by being a Baker Scholar).
Career changers: The summer internship becomes critical. If all goes well, they will probably bring you back for fall interviews, if they haven't given you the FT offer in the summer. Don't screw this up, it should be a slam dunk. In my firm, some of the summer Associates get super cocky after getting an FT offer at the end of the internship and end up applying to PE firms like KKR/Blackstone only to have their covers blown.
People should work hard, do their best and they will be fine. I have good friend who always wanted to attend HBS but was not accepted, ended up going to Dartmouth (w/scholarship) and loved the experience. You guys might think that he's some type of a genius, he's not. He worked 60 hour weeks, while prepping for the GMAT, spent 2 weeks of vacation time perfecting his essays (per school), and did a lot of non-profit work. Be motivated and everything should fall into place.
Got it. Good for you, always try to do the best you can. I think that you should work on doing well on the GMATs and weaving a "story" for your essays/interviews and inshallah you will do well.
Also, bear in mind that there are plenty of other great schools if you are able to open up your geographic preferences/relocate. Either way keep us posted (even if you go the law school route).
yeah GMAT is going to be imp. i have not been in study mode for a while so it will be fun getting back into it. essays and references are all crucial.
i am married and my wife is also studying in chicago so i am limited to chicago area. also, i am not planning to study full time but do it part time while keeping my current job.
how about you? it seems like you already have an mba or are planning to get one also?
People should work hard, do their best and they will be fine. I have good friend who always wanted to attend HBS but was not accepted, ended up going to Dartmouth (w/scholarship) and loved the experience. You guys might think that he's some type of a genius, he's not. He worked 60 hour weeks, while prepping for the GMAT, spent 2 weeks of vacation time perfecting his essays (per school), and did a lot of non-profit work. Be motivated and everything should fall into place.
i bet he was single at the time. :---) i am of the opinion that you do not have to be a genius to do anything. it is all about how much effort you are willing or can put in. i have a guy at work who is going to booth right now. he is having a hard time finding a job because of the stiff competition and of course the weak economy. i think it will be a matter of time before he finds something.
for non-profit work, do you know what kind of work did he do? i have volunteered through our company program to mentor/tutor kids at the local high school but i do not think if that is a big deal (it would have been different if i would have started this) . also, in pak i have helped in starting a small 'school' for kids with needs but that again is in pak and am not sure if it would be appropriate for the application.
So what happens if someone does not get into a top 20, but it's #25, does it mean abort mission and keep trying until one gets into a top 20?
What about someone who just can't get into s top 20
all is fine that top schools matter, but, if a top school is not in reach fir whatever reason, then is one better off sans MBA or would it still help their career if they get it?
that is a tough question to answer at the moment since things can change and it will depend on what the circumstances are when the time comes.
i don't think if top 20 would really be an issue if one can get company sponsorship for the program. i think mba is just to help get your foot in the door if you are from an engineering background. if you are offered a position at a non-engineering company which is willing to fund for your mba then that would be a great option also. i wouldn't mind doing an internship at one of these firms just to get an idea of how it is but since i am working full time it does not seem possible to even try looking for something.
i bet he was single at the time. :---) i am of the opinion that you do not have to be a genius to do anything. it is all about how much effort you are willing or can put in. i have a guy at work who is going to booth right now. he is having a hard time finding a job because of the stiff competition and of course the weak economy. i think it will be a matter of time before he finds something.
for non-profit work, do you know what kind of work did he do? i have volunteered through our company program to mentor/tutor kids at the local high school but i do not think if that is a big deal (it would have been different if i would have started this) . also, in pak i have helped in starting a small 'school' for kids with needs but that again is in pak and am not sure if it would be appropriate for the application.
He was single at the time. You definitely have the right mindset. Most people who end up succeeding in their careers, or life for that matter, are persistant and dedicated.
As for the co-worker at Booth, I agree that he will find a job eventually, in the meantime, I hope he is reaching out to his network, applying, and doing his research to land the right position.
My friend was always interested in Rwanda after doing his thesis on the genocide there, so he spent some time with a French NGO developing maternal health programs and delivery. In terms of non-profit work, it does not have to be glamorous and you don't need to find a cure for cancer either. It looks like you have some good experience already - it would be good to weave that into the essays and eventually interviews.
I work with a lot of MBAs and have friends who have pursued the degree. I am still debating whether its worthwhile for me. I'm in banking so the opportunity costs become significantly higher. Also I am evaluating exit opps into PE, so I might not even need the degree. Again all the best, you'll do brilliantly as long as you put in the time.