#71: Will an MBA help you land a better job?
What's the real value in a program like this and in any training in which you participate, actually.
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Hey friends,
Welcome to the 71st edition of the “Level Up Ladder” newsletter.
It was a long week at work, trying to finish everything on my plate before vacation (yes, we’re going on vacation). Fortunately, we enjoyed spending the week with Tara, our friends’ labrador. They leave it with us sometimes, when they’re going on holiday. We love it when she’s around, and every time we get to spend some days with her, we are very close to getting a dog. Then, we think about the inconveniences and let it slip.
But someday, soon, we will get one. I’m sure of that.
How valuable is an MBA?
I was talking with a colleague the other day about how important an MBA is for your career growth. She is looking for a middle management job, and, to her surprise, recruiters aren't particularly impressed by her MBA enrolment.
I was not surprised about that.
Here's why:
1/ The Romanian market
I'm sure this is not something that only applies to this market. Unless you're in the USA, UK, Japan, or Western Europe, people don't care that much about a degree like this. I know very few people who are in top management positions and hold a real MBA.
Actually, only 40% of CEOs at Fortune 500 companies have an MBA. Europe is better, with Master’s degrees as the norm among top managers, at 74%.
By "a real MBA," I mean an accredited program with regular physical presence and homework, not some online courses that will get you a diploma without much effort (there are several).
And that's because MBAs only became popular in countries like mine a few years ago. The first local MBA programs were probably developed 10–15 years ago. Before that, you had to pay tens of thousands of dollars to go for one year and study abroad, full-time. And few people could afford that.
Also, companies don't usually include an MBA in their leadership programs. That's why most people I know struggled to convince their managers to support the tuition.
Few do.
As top leaders don't have an MBA themselves, they don't appreciate the real value of a program like this.
So, we just need to wait until an MBA becomes a thing in these countries.
2/ The roles suited for an MBA
An MBA is a complex program involving all aspects of leading a business. If you are applying for a technical team leader role, you don't need an MBA degree. Recruiters might think you are overqualified for the position or that you would ask for too much money.
Either way, there is a misalignment. If you have graduated from an MBA program, you should focus on roles that will put those skills to use. If you don't do it, those skills will go to waste.
On the other hand, if you don't have managerial experience or if you just want to be a technical leader, other certifications are more suitable. Like the ITIL or the PMP.
3/ Top management roles don't get filled on LinkedIn
This is something that a lot of people don't know, but it's true. Most of the time, when you are hiring for a very senior role, you won't openly advertise that role.
The first reason is that a company first looks inside for someone to fill the position. Only after this is not possible will people start asking around for recommendations. Someone from the top management team knows someone who knows someone, and so on.
When you want to be in a role like this, there's only one thing that matters: your track record.
And if you have that track record without an MBA, that's even better.
In cases like this, an MBA can only be used as one criteria item for choosing between candidates, but it's not a mandatory one.
Final thoughts
I am a firm believer in certifications and diplomas because I admire people who are lifelong earners.
But an MBA is not always the best solution.
If you decide it is for you, be willing to accept that it doesn't guarantee your success in life.
The true value of an MBA doesn't lie in the degree itself.
Nor the value of a PMP certification.
Or an ITIL one, or whatever program you finish.
While not many opportunities will develop once you modify your LinkedIn profile, the people you meet and the skills you develop during the program will lead to higher earning potential over time.
Remember that an MBA is a tool that can open doors, but it's up to you to walk through them.
I’m curious; what’s your opinion on certifications and diplomas? Do you think they are valuable?
Please let me know in the comments section!
Recommendations
1/ Dr. Mike Israetel’s YouTube channel
A friend of mine sent me this channel and it’s both funny and informative. This guy is a doctor in sport science and will make fun of famous people’s training routine as well as you give you advice on building muscle hypertrophy. Give it a watch,
2/ Sly
Silvester Stallone’s documentary on Netflix is definitely a must-watch for people over 35. As someone who grew up with his movies, it was interesting to see the hurdles he had to overcome to become the celebrity he is today.
3/ “The Tail End” post by Tim Urban
This post puts things into perspective, especially as summer ends.
“I’m 34, so let’s be super optimistic and say I’ll be hanging around drawing stick figures till I’m 90.If so, I have a little under 60 winters left:”
I’m 38, and I’m not as optimistic as Tim, so I probably have around 40 winters left.
Well, let’s make the most of them, then :)
Thank you for reading, and I hope you’ll join me in the comments section for further discussions!
I hope you have a great weekend!
Leo
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