Should I get my MBA?

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I am a 23 year old who lives in Minneapolis, MN. I currently work
at a financial services firm with the title Investment Analyst. I
currently am doing little to no analyst work. I would like to one
day be an analyst for a particular sector (for example: Energy).
Will getting my MBA help me to position myself for getting this
job? Also, if I decide one day to be a financial analyst at a
public corporation, how much will the MBA help me out. Both in
terms of compensation and relevance. I very much appreciate any
help!!

Thanks!

-- Carter Durgan, September 12, 2006

Answers

Any degree will basically get you your first job; after that it is up to you. An MBA from a top school will get you interviews with larger companies, including investment banks. An MBA from a good school will give weak-minded employers some additional comfort that you know what you're doing (most people would rather trust a credential than their own judgement in making a hiring decision). Be sure to go to a b-school with a strong quantitative emphasis! A lot of MBAs come out having difficulty with arithmetic.

-- Philip Greenspun, September 16, 2006

There are schools like NCSU that have great Financial Mathematics graduate programs . I think this would certainly leverage you for an Analyst Position . Check the website www.NCSU.EDU and compare the content of the Financial Mathematics program to that of an MBA program and see which is the best fit for your future aspirations.

-- suzgo kumwenda, February 14, 2008

The single most important criterion for deciding whether to get an MBA: Can I get into a top school?

I have a BSEE and over 10 years experience in the semiconductor industry, mostly as a CAD engineer. Before undergraduate school I spent 6 years on active duty in the military, serving aboard a submarine. I got my MBA from NCSU in mid career at age 44, concentrating in technology commercialization. While I believe I learned a lot about business and myself and developed some useful skills, the credential isn't marketable and has had little value in the workplace.

Make sure you graduate from a top program. If you apply yourself, you'll do something worthwhile for yourself. Others will have confidence in your abilities, even if they don't understand the MBA.

-- Two Cents, April 12, 2008


As a financial analyst, one has to understand exactly how the organization you work for functions, from the marketing aspect, to the administration and management, right down to the smallest detail. One also needs strong communication and sales skills since they will have to convince people to approve of the business plans you formulate. Since a Masters Business Administration would cover sales, marketing organizational development, interpersonal communication, management, administration, etc, it will help towards your goal of becoming a successful financial/investment analyst. Also, prospective employers would be more eager to hire you if you have an MBA.

-- Charles bolton, July 20, 2011