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Linenoise77 t1_itztw1h wrote

The Name is what matters with an MBA, UNLESS your employer is helping pick up the dime, or is offering you something specific once you have it, where you can then put it to immediate use.

The biggest part of an MBA experience is the networking you will accomplish and exposure to how things are done outside your own little box.

Where you will get the most out of that is a good school, that people are fighting to get into or have progressed from undergrad to, so you can tap into their networks

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Many-Perception-8285 OP t1_itzufql wrote

That was my understanding, thank you. NJ does not have one of those T50 schools right? most rankings are at the south but than again im not sure how i can network if i am doing online part time

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Linenoise77 t1_itzvucn wrote

Rutgers MBA program is respectable, and has several well regarded MBA focuses. Also taps you into a large alumni network, people know the name, etc.

Stevens has one as well if you are looking for an IT focus.

That isn't to knock the quality of other schools, they may have great programs, but honestly when it comes to an MBA, the coursework is only like half of why you take one if your goal is career advancement.

But, again, if your company is saying, "hey we will help cover some of that, and guarantee you X upon completion" you may not care.

Depending on where you live, and your budget, you have several choices at "good mba's" in the city.

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Many-Perception-8285 OP t1_itzww78 wrote

thanks for this, my company will pay 10k per year but that is all so i am trying to use that to reduce overall cost. i will look into rutgers right now

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Linenoise77 t1_itzz4pp wrote

Good luck. Make sure you fully understand what you are signing up for if your company is shelling out cash.

Most of the time they are pretty reasonable with the agreement, even if you need to break it part of the way through. But i have seen some companies be tools about it or have insane requirements. for 10k they should really only be asking you to guarantee a year for every year they shell out at the most, and should be guaranteeing you a position and\or pay bump at some point as part of it.

Edit: last piece of advice, make sure you discuss this with your boss and their boss as well. Even if it isn't, you want to approach this and set it up in their mind as a mutual investment for you and the company. They may have some advice as to where they think your focus should be applied, what the path for you looks like as you progress and finally get it, etc.

You don't want to dump something on their desk to sign, and have them start thinking, "once this person has it and has met our requirements, they are going to bounce". That will hurt your career while you are taking it, and possibly cause them to hold you to the agreement that comes with your 10k as strictly as they can. Ideally you want to make it seem like your company was the one that helped you make up your mind to go for your MBA.

"Hey boss, i've been thinking.....if i went back for my MBA.....what do you think makes the most sense for me in terms of advancing here...what would YOU do if you were me...."

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SquirrelEnthusiast t1_iu007ds wrote

10k per year = about 3 classes. You may need to shell out some money for fees on top of that (my company paid for the class itself, but not additional fees related to the classes). And Linenoise is right, you should look into what they want in return. My company expects you to work for a specific amount of years after the completion of each class, or I have to pay them back. Pay real close attention to that fine print.

I went to Rutgers for my MBS, which is separate from an MBA, so I can't speak on the quality of Rutgers' program.

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Many-Perception-8285 OP t1_iu00xsi wrote

yeah they want 1 year per 10k given which im ok with but not sure they will offer a pay bump but can transfer to a better role within the company yet i wanna leave the place soon.

i dont mind shelling out 5k per year on top of the 10k given tho.

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Linenoise77 t1_iu04b12 wrote

This is why i would have that conversation with your boss first.

If you set it up as something where the company feels they are investing in you, you will more than likely get some leeway while going through the program, and perhaps can start making changes in what you are doing now as you progress.

Not only may that improve your work environment, but it can start allowing you to apply what you are learning and build your resume while you are going through the process.

If i'm the boss and i suspect you are getting it just so you can jump once done, i'm probably going to just let you wallow where you are during the process, and be a hard ass about it, because i don't want to become dependent on you knowing you will split as soon as you can.

And sure, its probably going to be obvious to everyone anyway and everyone is just going through the motions....but just going through the motions sometimes is what is expected.

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SquirrelEnthusiast t1_itzv5bd wrote

I did half of my MBS online and it wasn't hard to network given the amount of resources, group projects, and events that the school attempted to give us. Its true that you won't get the same experience in person, but a good school will have mechanisms in place for you to have opportunities to network. It should be part of your requirements for a school should you decide to go.

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Many-Perception-8285 OP t1_itzvdcr wrote

yeah i want to and will look into that but are there any schools in NJ worth the MBA programs?

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Linenoise77 t1_itzxgwg wrote

I doubt it will change the answer much, but when you say in NJ, where in NJ? Assumedly you will be doing SOME in person class work, so you don't want a school in south jersey if you live in Mahwah or the reverse.

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Many-Perception-8285 OP t1_itzzbjg wrote

clifton NJ i was hoping fully online

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Linenoise77 t1_iu003da wrote

I honestly wouldn't do a fully online one. I'd try and find one that does at least some in person nights or weekend stuff, or work something out with your employer if you can where you can swing a class or two during the week. I know i sound like an old fogey, but its a lot easier to forge meaningful connections that way, and its kind of fun going back to school.

I'm sure lots of the fully online ones have regular in person events and the like where that can happen, but you would want to do some research as to what the uptake on those are. If its just a weekly happy hour or something that the same 2 people show up to each week, it isn't going to do much for you.

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Linenoise77 t1_itzwigw wrote

part time online will still offer you opportunities for networking.

Depending on the school, probably half, if not more of your class, will be taking it while working a 'real' job, and not in a dissimilar boat to you. Went to college, have worked for a bit, and are looking for ways to make their next move or doing professional development. You will still have class time, events, group projects, etc.

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