Heading to an M7 soon from a tech company where I work in a product-adjacent position. I didn’t need this degree to “break into” product management (former company would have let me transition), but I still figured it could be good for the long run.
Now when thinking about 100K in loans, I feel anxious about not getting a PM role after. Was this the right move?

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This fact sometimes gets lost in the application process but most people don’t NEED a full-time MBA to achieve their immediate post-mba role (with the exception of i-banking) because most people aim to change function, industry, geography, or a combination and can easily make at least one change with grit + right company. Even breaking into consulting as an experienced hire may be more doable give the current job market. Part-time programs, specialized masters, certifications, short courses, or targeted tangential projects can often do the job.

With that said, there are many reasons to pursue a full-time MBA. Ideally you would have at least mentally processed the short-term cost of the mba $160k+2 years of salary.

If you really don’t want the mba, sure, withdraw and begin the process of applying to PM roles.

If you’re just internalizing the cost now and have other anxieties, it’s probably still a great thing for you to do.

likehelpful

Thanks so much. I wanted the MBA, and it’s just the anxiety of internalizing the cost now. I think it’s still a great move, appreciate the thoughtful reply.

Sounds like you decided to go to M7 to get a job that you could've gotten anyway - a job you probably could get more easily without the mba - so yeah sounds like a waste. Unless there are other reasons you have for going I don't see the point.

likehelpful

No one can answer whether this is the “right” move or not but it is a defensible decision if you try to take a longer term view on your career. The big questions is probably -

Does this MBA help move you from PM to director or director to VP or VP to C-suite? If the answer is yes, then it’s totally worth it. If the answer is no and you’d have gotten there anyways then who cares you got as far as you could go and you’re probably making good money so hopefully the fun / friends / experiences you made during the mba offset the cost

likehelpful

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