Are MBAs worthwhile financially if desiring to pivot into tech? I think top MBAs to finance or consulting is clearly so, but I would be getting an MBA to escape the lack of WLB in those industries which piques my interest in tech. However, I'm unsure if the comp is lucrative enough to justify the $200k in debt. My other option coming from ZS would like me going into pharma. I dont care about pharma or tech... just trying to optimize comp and WLB. Thanks in advance for your thoughts and opinions!

like
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at

I dont think so - if you network your way with your school and ZA alumni, you will definitely be able to get into a good tech role, you might have to start technical but you could always move to the business side.

Overall, 200k in loans plus 350k in forgone salary is just a steep price to pay - especially in this market where snp alone is getting you 30% returns

like

I think you're spot on my friend - just wanted to see if there was a strong case for the cost + opportunity cost. Thank you!

I don’t think an MBA is a requirement at all if you want to work in product or engineering. However, the bizops, sales, and customer success teams tend to have folks from more business backgrounds, and those hiring managers might value an MBA. Doesn’t hurt to try and recruit for a few months and see if you get any traction. If not, you can go for MBA. Personally, I would do everything I could to avoid the MBA route first, then use it as a fallback

like

Great point! Costs a lot less to play my hand first. Thank you, PO1!

Best two years of your life. Don't discount that part

like

Massively depends on the school and your background. Is it easier to break in with a top MBA? Yes. Is it required? No. Also, keep in mind that most of the people in charge likely have an MBA so they are biased. Once you’re in the door at your desired company... no it doesn’t really matter anymore.

like

Point well taken! Like a lot of consultants, have a solid UG gpa, assume i'd do around 710 on gmat and have zs as experience, so I think i could get into a top 10 though probably not top 5 program. going to see if i can make the change happen without grad school. thx for your opinion!

I’ve been having the same thoughts. I’m interested in product marketing roles within tech or pharma. Marketing in tech is saturated with talent and there are not that many openings. Pharma marketing seems more attainable but compensation is lower than tech. Anyways, have u tried looking into part time programs so you can still get salary?

like

Interesting idea - the truthful answer is no. I'll look into it! Thanks for your response

I transferred from consulting to a strategy position in tech 4 years after undergrad. $175k TC. No way going $200k in debt just to make the same or even less would have been worth it. Save it for an exec MBA if you hit a ceiling.

like

Yeah go ahead and DM me

like

Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg don’t even have degrees so...

I agree with what others are saying on financials and i know that was your question. One other point to make though...I had an absolute blast during my mba. The world wide travel, the amazing friends, even the dating scene is amazing. You sound like someone who will achieve financial success either way and that amount of money, which is a lot now, may not look like so much when you look back in 40 years

Everyone always says MBA is an absolute riot - I know I'd love it! It's just quite an expensive party :) but to your point it may be a non-problem in the long run. i'm just more concerned with short to medium turn finances... i'm married and the timing is such that we'll probably start trying for a kiddo around time of graduation, so the foregone income + debt on top of bringing a little one into this crazy world is intimidating. Thx for your perspective!

Tech will value you more if you actually just learn tech; MBA will make you least knowledgeable person there

Sure, that's a fair question. Before I dive too deep into it, how are you defining "tech" when you say you want to pivot to it? What does that look like to you?

Related Posts

How is procurement analyst as a profession if I'm not really interested in coding and want to explore other fields?

like

Larsen & Toubro Infotech Does Capgemini, Cognizant, Mindtree , Larsen & Toubro Infotech install tool to track time and screen ??

How it impacts our daily WLB ?

Which one should I choose ?

All offers are mostly same .

Looking for WLB and job security mainly

Kindly share inputs

like

Any career advice for someone trying to leave ITS transfer pricing?

like

A first year asked me today how to maintain wlb to make the job work long term. Oh you sweet summer child.

likefunny

Which company pays better salary - EY GDS or EY India? Also, can someone give Pros and Cons of both?

like

Hi I have asked to be an advisor for a startup. Its in its very early stage pre pre-seed. Its looking like weekly strategy calls and possibly some executional work as well. Like building out a sales process and/or training sales and marketing team members (this might be 1-3hr a week of work).

They are offering 1.5-3.5%. — I am wondering if that’s enough.

In addition to this the founder mentioned that he would like me to consider becoming a co-founder.

like

Received less salary this month also. (Same amount as last month)
Why is this happening? Too much tax 🥵

like

I have total experience of 46 months in IT and have relevant experience as A BA. Can any one refer me. I am looking to switch .my current CTC is 9.8 lakh. How much I should look for after switching. ?

like

How much hike range can we expect for c10 employees in Bangalore working in USDM?

Is anyone currently pursuing the CIA certification or recently passed? I am having trouble passing part 2. Any advice is welcomed. I passed part 1 over a year ago and haven’t been able to accomplish the next hurdle.

like

Hi Sharks, i am working in Deloitte USI as Oracle fuctional consultant and looking for a switch in Pure Consulting .. can anyone please provide referral? i will share my CV.. have knowledge of SQL and Tableau and advanced excel .. also... have prior work ex with EY for 2 years and did MBA from Tier -2 college in consulting role. total workex-3 years.

How do I divide the chores in this case? I’m the breadwinner - husband has been taking time off from work. No kids. Two dogs.

I feel like I do more chores because there are some things that I just can’t stand. Like dishes left in the sink, dirty floor, dirty dogs, laundry…etc. When I ask him to do those chores, he says he will do them later but he takes forever. So I do them instead. He does grocery shopping, yard work, some cooking. Is it unfair if I repeatedly ask him to do more? 😡😡

like

I was just offered a part time position technical writing for a start up environmental company. It's my first job post undergrad, and I live in NC. They want to know my salary expectations. Any tips?

like

Any insight on Brewer (either office, generally curious about the firm). I assume comp after year 1 is discretionary, rather than lock-step, given the size of the firm. Would appreciate happiness, horror stories, of whatever “firm culture” falls between the two. DM me if you don’t want to share publicly.

like

General Question!
According to the new Wage Rules, are companies giving Basic Salary as 50% of fixed Pay? Should we ask HR of our current company or the next company to actually do the same? Or the rule isn't a mandate and it's upon companies to follow it ?

like

Hi - I have been asked to join as Senior VAT Analyst at Pure Storage. Can someone suggest how much should I ask CTC? And what do you think about the company?

like

Will Hexaware revise my offer based on the hike I receive in current organization ?

like

You know who gets that raise or bonus or even a promotion? It's not the hard worker. Not even the smart worker. It's the worker who advertises every task they did (small or big) in front of the whole team...

likefunnysmart

Hi all - I’m currently in GBO sales and got an offer for a role in the GBO company plan. I’ll be the same level (5) and location (NYC) but my total compensation will be $20k lower with the company plan. Is this common? Has anyone been able to negotiate comp when switching teams within Google?

like

Did you guys choose to join law enforcement or did you just kind of end up here?

like

More Posts

Hi Fishes!! I have got an offer from Infosys for Gurgaon Location. Mostly everyone knows Infosys is not present in NCR location. Although, my offer letter mentions I will be working remotely and no need to come to office. Is there anyone else who is in the same situation, i.e from Gurgaon Location.

like

How much is entry level/new grad SWE comp at Lyft or Uber?

likehelpful

Hi does hsbc gives joining bonus how much salary band we can expect for gcb 5 ? This is my 3rd post on fishbowl but not a single reply I am getting ..

like

Anyone at Deloitte or EY Canada need a Contract Senior Policy Center Developer? Recruiter at a vendor for both the big 4s here

like

What does transitioning from entrepreneurship > top VC fund look like? Seems like they usually come in at the partner level, but what kind of background would they need? Would say a 7-figure exit mean much? Low 8-figure?

like

Hi everyone, how much time it takes to know whether we have cleared round 1 interview in McKinsey?

like

I’ve found myself becoming a bit cynical after working in marketing for such a long time, can anyone relate?

like

Netflix shouldn’t be considering in FAANG
Should be Uber or Microsoft instead
Change my mind 😉

like

Anybody have workout shirt recs that are longer? I’m tired of shirts fitting at the shoulders and being too short … 6’1” 200lb

like

Mac or HP or Dell: I prefer Mac notebooks. However it seems there might be limitations with the use of Skype or other applications based on materials I have seen. What do you all recommend is the best laptop for working at Deloitte?

like
like

Is it true that front end developers get paid less than backend/full stack developers?

I’m a full stack developer who enjoys front end work, but I’m not sure if I should be looking/applying to front end specific positions.

like

Aside from just time and experience, is there anything I can actively do to advance in my career and get more responsibility / client interaction? I’m a first year

like

Hi All, I've been offered 6L fixed with 15% variable for F&A in Accenture, and my last drawn was 4.10LPA. Could someone pls tell me if I should negotiate for more or is this the slab for level 11?

Please help! Accenture

like

Hi Fishes, If I join Bank of America (BA Continuum) on October 1st, will I be eligible for hike in coming appraisal. Bank of America BA Continuum India Pvt. Ltd.

like

Any recommendations on places to stay, visit in Dubai? Holiday family of 4 if that helps. Thank you!

like

What are people doing with their student loans now that interest is paused? Is it better to keep paying them off or to invest/save the money?

like

Working in reporting of private equity funds. Hands on experience in Tableau and MySQL. Good knowledge of Analytics part and writing down commentary for return on investment fir private equity funds.
Serving notice period.
LWD: 13th April
Please help me if you have any opportunities.

like

I have 8 years of experience in Insurance & Risk as a Risk Manager & Claims Adjuster specifically in Workers Compensation...how can I transition into a Workers Compensation Underwriting Role with sufficient pay? Please help, give advice, tips, share leads to any companies that looks at strong transferable skillsets, character, and integrity. Thank you

like

Additional Posts in Consulting

Why is Kearny considered T2 if it’s an ops firm?

likefunny

One of the reasons I want to transition from industry to consulting (tier 1) is that I get frustrated when I have to collaborate with mediocre people. My assumption is that Tier 1 consulting firms hire really sharp people and if I can get in, I’ll be collaborating with folks on top of their game (not expecting much from clients). I’m aware there are personal aspects I need to work on like my mindset, patience etc etc, but I just get so frustrated with blatant stupidity.

likefunny

Anyone with experience working for Bridgewater Associates, LP? Had a recruiter reach out for a BA/PM role. Associate level/experienced hire, on portfolio transformation team.

How’s the whole experience? Comp package, benefits, work life balance, etc.

like

May be this is off the topic..
One of my friend who is a doctor & is an international med graduate. He passed his United States Medical Licensing Exams with above average scores. He has applied fr the match last yr & was nt able to match. Match process costs around USD10k; this year he is applying again after borrowing funds frm different sources bt he is under tremendous pressure to get match. I feel his pain as he has studied for 10+ yrs and is struggling to match nw. I m nt sure hw I can help

like

Does anyone predict another layoff season in October?

like

What's typical salary range for Senior Manager at Deloitte in their SAP practice? Currently a 4th year SM at EY, and have been approached by some recruiters.

like

If I get laid off, I have a previous colleague that started a cybersecurity company. I would love to get involved on the business side of it. Any pointers on skills that are attractive in this realm for a startup? Would be mostly (if not all) federal defense contracting clients. I’m currently in Deloitte’s cyber risk practice but my background and passion is in accounting and finance, and business operations. Graduated in 2017 so still early career.

like

Does 401k count as savings?

likefunny

Eid Mubarak! 😊

Post Photo
likefunny

For my folks at Deloitte , which would you choose
1.GPS, 4-5 days in office due to SCIF related work and long commute

2.USDC, wfh 3-5 days and commute would be short if I ever have to go in.

Do any USDC positions require a clearance and if not could they hold it?

Keep in mind, I don’t have salary information yet
And is the Delivery Center that bad? I read a lot of reviews on it here....LOL

like

The car dealership are asking $5K to $15K extra on Msrp of cars.
Any views on that ? Why no one is saying anything about that?
Dealers a re reaping buyers .

like

Headed to bschool and considering Brand Management at a CPG company. The thing is, I already make ~$100k and with Brand Management salaries starting around $105k, it seems like a horrible ROI. Thinking I should just stay in consulting. How would you look at it?

like

After a year using my home office setup, especially the 27 inch monitor, how can I ever go back to the traveling life with tiny laptop screen? 😔

likesmart

What’s the grade structure at EY UK? And how many years expected at each?

like

How long does it take for bonuses to be paid out after your performance outcome has been communicated at other firms?

Our comp system is slightly complex so we know promotions Dec-Jan while bonuses are paid out late Feb-Early March (aka 2-3 months)

Edit: Performance year ends in September (so total process is 5-6 months)

like

I feel like I’m walking into the start of an airplane-based suspense / horror film

Post Photo
likefunny

I firmly believe the most prestigious company is the company that will pay me the most. What others think doesn’t pay my bills.

likeuplifting

Are your firms still experiencing big layoffs?

like

What are expected utilisation rates for entry level consultants? Been here 9 months and only done billable work for about 3 months of that. Bored out of my mind for the majority of my time here.

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal