Hi all - I've been lurking for a little bit and finally decided to post because I have a question about grad schools that I'm not sure who to ask about in real life. Also, everyone here seems to give good advice that I've learned a lot from
A little bit about me - I'm 24 and have been working for an IT consulting firm since I graduated from college two years ago. While this isn't the field I expected to go into (my undergrad was in communications from a business school), I'm really enjoying it so far. Right now I'm looking into grad schools since I'd like to pursue either an MBA or a Master's in IT sometime next year. There are a lot of schools that offer these programs in my area and my employer will reimburse a set amount of money per course, regardless of the school.
What I'm wondering is whether or not the rankings for grad programs actually matter if I plan to stay at my current job for at least a few more years? What factors should I be looking at when deciding on a school/program? Any input/advice would be appreciated! Thanks!
Rankings can matter. If you have, say, a Harvard MBA that's something that probably always stays relevant when you apply for new jobs, even in the distant future. However, they don't matter as much as time goes on, and they also don't matter as much if you're not looking at the very top programs (e.g., if you're trying to stay in your area and are choosing between the 26th, 41st, and 47th-ranked programs in the country).
The other question is why you want to get a graduate degree. Is it to make yourself more marketable for other jobs (in which case I'd consider rankings a bit more seriously)? To get a raise in your current position that comes with an additional degree (rankings not important)? To learn more so you can be more effective (other factors* matter as much as rankings)?
*Those other factors include things like access to classes (if they fit well with your work schedule, you'll be able to attend more and learn more), whether classes are taught by professors or temps/grad students and the overall teaching philosophy of the program, specialty areas consistent with your profession, and cost (since you'll get reimbursed the same amount no matter where you go).
For you, I'd look beyond rankings & think about networking opportunities. Even if you think you'll stay at your current company for several more years, what's the end game of this degree? A job at X company? A position doing Y? I'd choose whichever school/program will prepare you for that. Not just academically, but has the network (teachers/classmates) to help you get there too.
For you, I'd look beyond rankings & think about networking opportunities. Even if you think you'll stay at your current company for several more years, what's the end game of this degree? A job at X company? A position doing Y? I'd choose whichever school/program will prepare you for that. Not just academically, but has the network (teachers/classmates) to help you get there too.
I agree with all of this. In my experience, it's more about who you know, or have a good reference from, than where your degree came from. I also live in the west, where a Big Name school degree is like "meh."
I chose to get my masters degree in the cheapest way possible, and focused m energy on excelling in the program and making contacts in the field while I was in school. It worked out for me.
Will your employer require you to make an length of employment agreements if they financially assist with your graduate degree? Like a 3 year contract after you graduate or something?
For you, I'd look beyond rankings & think about networking opportunities. Even if you think you'll stay at your current company for several more years, what's the end game of this degree? A job at X company? A position doing Y? I'd choose whichever school/program will prepare you for that. Not just academically, but has the network (teachers/classmates) to help you get there too.
I agree with all of this. In my experience, it's more about who you know, or have a good reference from, than where your degree came from. I also live in the west, where a Big Name school degree is like "meh."
I chose to get my masters degree in the cheapest way possible, and focused m energy on excelling in the program and making contacts in the field while I was in school. It worked out for me.
Will your employer require you to make an length of employment agreements if they financially assist with your graduate degree? Like a 3 year contract after you graduate or something?
Thanks for the replies!
There isn't a length of employment agreement but there is an agreement that I will stay with the company for a year after completing the course, otherwise I'll have to pay a portion of the money back. For example, if they paid for a course and I stayed for six months after completing the course instead of a year, I would have to pay back 50% of what they provided since I only stayed for 50% of the required time.
Right now the reason I want the degree is, to use aurora's wording, to learn more to be more effective in my current position. I think it would be really beneficial for me to have more a background in the work I'm doing since every project I've worked on so far has had a steep learning curve. The degree/additional experience would also make me more marketable for our clients.
I guess where I'm stuck is there are a lot of schools in my area (Boston) with good programs that are around the same cost and distance from where I live. A lot of them have specialty programs that I'm interested in and I think they would all be good for networking. It seems like a lot of my choices are equal so I don't know how to narrow it down.
Post by bryantpark on Sept 2, 2014 12:49:44 GMT -5
I got my MBA part time at Northeastern while working, and employer paid. In my experience name only matters if you went to a top 10 school. Otherwise as others have said I would do it in the most cost-effective way possible, especially if you want to go part time. DH went to the part time program at BU – so if either of those are ones you are considering happy to answer more questions.
I actually don't know much about the Northeastern MBA, so I'll have to look into that one. Was there anything specific that made you choose Northeastern?
I'll definitely be doing a part-time program so it sounds like I need to figure out where I can get in, what's most cost effective and the easiest to commute to in general. Thanks!!
I actually don't know much about the Northeastern MBA, so I'll have to look into that one. Was there anything specific that made you choose Northeastern?
I'll definitely be doing a part-time program so it sounds like I need to figure out where I can get in, what's most cost effective and the easiest to commute to in general. Thanks!!
At the time I was working downtown and they had a campus on Broad Street so it was incredibly convenient. It really depends to me where you work – I have many friends who drove out to BC, Babson, Bentley and for me personally doing that at 5 o'clock at night after a full day of work in what would've been the opposite direction for me was just not worth it.
That makes sense and that's also something that's throwing me off - I never know where my next client is going to be so I could be commuting from Boston, Providence, central Mass, ect to classes, and client projects doesn't usually last more than 6 months. I guess that means I should look at a few that are easy to get home from, since I live a decent way outside the city.