JOURNEY PRIOR TO MBA

Im stuck in a dilemma where im contemplating on how to fill the gap successfully between the day I quit my job and the day applications are due. The time in between is needed to master the GMATS, which prob wont be satisfying to the admins, hence the dilemma (im not a good test taker). Work is not satisfying therefore its not worth it. Should i find a new job, quit and study, travel and study and just stick with it.. which is not what I want since i feel like im wasting away. I feel like i should quit and master the GMAT...whether i perform some non voluneer work or find a new job. also good to know is that I did not major in finance.. this is for a total career change....

Just relocated to AL from NY, GMAT is not required in all cases for Grad School, You can get around it. BA in Psychology CUNY but worked in general accounting for years through school, paid more than psychology entry level positions. Decided to go for an MBA based on work experience; didn't need GMAT.

Bottomline to get ahead in any field you need the whole ball of specialized wax, experience, degree etc. Now the issue is I need an accounting degree, CPA, then Minor with MBA in accounting, then I'll be to old, always an issue.

Think before you spend your money if this is really going to get you where you want to be cause all I got was a student loan, not a new career opportunity. What I said was really meant to help so hope it does.

Good Luck,

BEWARE!!! One of the hardest lessons I've learned so far is that no matter what your previous employment or career, an MBA will only "enhance" that same career, it is very unlikely to help in career transition. The institutions are selling us on the idea that it is needed to get your career off the ground, but it's mostly advertising. It is ONLY worth it if you happen to be lucky enough to work for a company that will PAY FOR IT, and then, plan to keep working the same job and maybe in ten years you can get lucky and move up. I've spent two and a half years of grief AND 50K!!! to learn this the hard way, and after 5 MONTHS of constantly sending out resumes (over 40 HOURS per week of my own time), I have yet to get an interview based soley on having an MBA. The two I've had were based solely on my previous degree and experience - had nothing to do with my MBA. My degree was from a private, reputable, 'real college' - yet most employers still don't want to pay more than I was already making. One company's HR rep - fifth third - was even rude enough to say that the MBA was worthless in her opinion. In any case, one would think that being a senior computer programmer (+5 years) with all the latest skills and a BA in IT, and now an MBA with a concentration in MIS, it wouldn't be so difficult to change careers and/or transition into the corporate world, but the 'good ol' boy' network is still alive and strong.

So basically, if you are a <whatever> with an MBA, the companies will still see you as a <whatever>. It all is about your experience and if you fit their "profile" - oh and certifications are sometimes more regarded (and more cost effective).

Good luck, and hope this helps.

I have to agree. While some companies look for MBAs, many have a definite preference for job experience instead. Usually, interviewers like people who have the same kind of education they do. A BA won't hire an MBA to work for him, especially a fresh grad MBA.

What we don't know is what field you are in, and what field you want to pursue. If you are going from sales to IT, or the plant floor to venture capital, you risk having to start over at the bottom.

I agree about the certifications. Few engineers don't need Six Sigma Black Belt certifications, accountants need a CPA and so on.

Unless you are living with your parents, it doesn't make any sense to quit your job to study for any test. Grad school is a lot tougher and longer than test prep, so would you plan on being unemployed while you are in grad school?

The job gap will have to be explained, and unemployment can stretch on longer than planned. And if you end up interviewing with someone who took the test and went to grad school while employed, your inability to do more than one thing at a time will be a major liability to overcome.

I think your best bet before you do anything is to Google "career information assessment" and decide what you want to do and then figure out how to get there. Many people change careers, but if you think your current job is bad, being unemployed and broke for several years can be a disaster.

I do not plan on attending any other school except the top 15...I would have to disagree with Brian because an MBA would be useful for those who do not want to stay in the same career and open doors to other opportunities. It would be hard for me to believe that anyone who pursues an MBA would like to stay in their same job. As for roslinds comments, I think there is a huge disparity between Top MBA programs and programs where you can achieve online or withouta a GMAT. As for Bob, im hoping that when I graduate from an MBA program its not someone with a BA/BS looking at my resume and credentials. I would hope its someone more senior...i deeply thank everyones 2 cents, but I have hope that an MBA is well worth the potential if its a top program...especially after the credit crisis and market downfall.

For those who would like to continue to give me an advice, I have 3 years of Health specialist/Manager and Financial analyst experience.
I am trying to change my career and in dire need of textbook knowledge since I have studied public health in undergrad. I am thinking taking 1 month off to study after quitting than applying..i do not have time after work and i am confident that I can do well if i had the time to study the gmats.

Recruitment specialist (HR professionals) is the business of hiring good people. The type of candidate that can operate effectively and ideally make an impact once they are on the property. They’re not in the habit of looking for candidates with little or no track record, an elitist’s personality, and an MBA . Talk to any HR person with any experience and they can tell you the story of the candidate they’ve hired with very little credentials who had an impact on the job and the candidate with the pristine credentials who had little or no impact. An MBA will always be a plus but it doesn’t trump the candidate (top 10 MBA programs or bottom 500; GMAT or no GMAT).
FYI: I work for a fortune 100 company whose HR personnel may have a BS/BA (maybe not when they were hired) and a few with MBA types. When I spoke with my company’s HR department about getting my MBA they told me it would be nice but it wasn’t going to enhance my career much. Keep in mind the person who told me that was a senior manager with 30 yrs on the job and grew up in town.

If you have a BSc in IT or MIS it makes no sense to get an MBA if you are going to remain in that field. In Los Angeles we have so many MIS and IT people strolling from employer to employer with the MBA in MIS. I learned early on while taking my classes in undergrad and seeing the teachers who were tapped out because of it. I am finishing up my MBA in International Business in Mergers and Acquisitions. So far I have been recruited by mostly European and Asian firms wanting to do business in the United States. I can just tell you that the MBA is worthless in IT unless you are applying for a CTO or CIO position in a large firm.

And the GMAT is more for the school's benefit than the students, just make sure the school of regionally accredited and you pay no more than 30k. And you are so right, if you remain in that field they will offer the same pay. I have six classes left and there is a 32k spread between what IT firms offer me for php mysql programming and what the international firms offer.

Al has it right because many of the people here try to use the MBA as a status symbol, especially in Los Angeles, but it is as common as a cold. Your experience and the demand for your skillsets are essential to get ahead. Also, be flexible when it comes to the employers because the Fortune 500 guys aren't the only people hiring.

john in Flushing, New York said: Im stuck in a dilemma where im contemplating on how to fill the gap successfully between the day I quit my job and the day applications are due. The time in between is needed to master the GMATS, which prob wont be satisfying to the admins, hence the dilemma (im not a good test taker). Work is not satisfying therefore its not worth it. Should i find a new job, quit and study, travel and study and just stick with it.. which is not what I want since i feel like im wasting away. I feel like i should quit and master the GMAT...whether i perform some non voluneer work or find a new job. also good to know is that I did not major in finance.. this is for a total career change....

A previous poster is correct, not all MBA programs require taking the GMAT. I completed the EMBA program from Virginia Tech, but the GMAT wasn't required if you had at least 8 years experience.

I found some other good information about career stuff on a blog called "Ask a Manager" found at www.managerqanda.blogspot.com

Hope this helps!