How many engineers have MBA 3

[shakeydude]

Hi,

Just wondering how many engineers have MBAs? How old were you when you did it? Did you find it beneficial? Did you stay in engineering or branch into something different?

 

[swivel63]

good questions, i'm thinking about pursuing it once i get my SE.

 

[brauno3]

Good question I was wondering this myself. I have two semesters left on my ME undergrad. I was looking at possibly doing a distance learning masters in ME and getting my MBA after that. Within 5 years of graduation or hold off on the Master in Engineering and just get an MBA. Be interested to hear other peoples responses.

 

[KENAT]

I don't have an MBA and, while I can't be sure, doubt I'd ever get one.

Most of the people I've known with or working to get MBAs haven't exactly been poster children for wanting to get one. In fact some of them are poster children for not wanting to get one. Although perhaps my experience is atypical.

I've also seen numerous articles doubting their real worth given that they're becoming increasingly common.

If I was going to get a masters it would probably be in a technical field or at a push maybe something like Engineering project management which I think I've seen on threads before.

However, this is partly because of my career goals. If your goal is to get into non technical management then maybe an MBA makes sense.

 

[possumk]

I have an MBA. I started in an evening program 1 year after my BSME was completed and after having 1 year in the workforce. I did it to diversify my skills to open more career opportunities, thinking that I may want to leave engineering since at the time my industry was down and having a lot of layoffs. I finished the MBA 2 years later and stayed in my same job for 2 more years. I was itching to try something else to utilize some of the business stuff I learned in the MBA program. I did that for about 1.5 years, then returned to the tech side because I preferred it. I don't think a program like I went to was worth much for me because 1.) I've discovered I'm not that interested in management, beyond being a technical manager and those skills are gained through working, and 2.) programs like I went to are too generic. I believe if you quit your job and go to a top program full time, your degree will be worth more to you. Now, I did learn some good things in the program and think any time spent being educated is worthwhile, but I just don't think that MBA=added success like some people might think.

My recommendation would be to do all the other things that are pluses for advancement in your field first, i.e. PE license, field assignments, supervise/mentor others, etc. Wait until you're feeling like you aren't growing anymore, then try the MBA.

 

[KENAT]

The project management MSc I mentioned was in thread731-180605

 

[FACS]

I was 30-years-old when I started my MBA program, I finished when I was 34.

I went straight into management upon my graduation, which was my goal. It was most beneficial because all of the management had MBAs. Understanding business principles is very important if you want to run an engineering department or firm.

I did it because I was working with very old engineers that were doing the same work as I, and with no more success than I. I saw sloppy project management, and the only way to get things done properly was to take hold of the department.

Now I own my own business. If I didn't get my MBA, I'd still be doing the same thing as I was when I was 30.



Charlie

http://www.facsco.com

 

[toiap]

I received my MBA about 5 years after I completed my BS in electrical engineering. I did it part-time while working full-time. I completed the work just before our first child was born. I do not think I could go back and do it now.

I find the degree worthwhile for several reasons:
1) It rounded out my skills. I am able to understand and analyze technical issues from a business perspective.
2) While I am in technical management, I feel the MBA does set me apart from other managers.
3) It was something I wanted to accomplish.
4) Someday I hope to have my own company and feel this will help me.

The MBA has not propelled me into senior management. However, this is not what I was striving for; I consider myself an engineer first and foremost. If you desire to move into the top ranks, you really need to go to a top MBA school full-time.

 

[johnsmith2]

I also consider to take the MBA. I am in mid 30. Some told me full-time is better than the part time. But, how come I can support without pay for two years and at the same time, pay school fee of at least 25,000 for one year. When employer see your resume, full-time is really important?

 

[MedicineEng]

I hope to finish mine in coming June/July, just struggling with my final thesis.
I started in 2004 after 5+ years working experience (and a MSc) and did it post-labour hours (tipically from 19.00 til 22.00/23.00).
There were several reasons that made me take this step:
1-I live in a small city with a good MBA programme, so commute time is very small, meaning that I could leave my work at 18.40h and still being in time for class;
2-As I am in a management position, I felt that I needed to develop my skills as a manager.
3-I was putting 60+ hours/week (because I had available time)at work and I felt that I was not being efficient.

What I learned:
1-Value of time-Since I had to leave for class I had to concentrate myself on waht was really important and demanding my attention;. Now that I don't have classes anymore, I can control my time and still leaving around 18.30h when before I would seldom leave before 20.00h.
2-Management technicques-Applied some with my staff and it worked well;

Regarding professional progression, I am still in the same position as before, but now I can use my time better and have better quality of life, and that is priceless.
Either way, I still didn't loose my hope to make the "great leap forward" based on my skills and on the MBA.
I also think that the "validity date" for a MBA is somewhere between 0-3 years after you finish it.

 

[cksh]

I have considered going for my MBA. Lots of engineering companies I have worked for were run by non-engineers. Even the engineers were forced to analyze the "value added" aspect of projects they worked on from a business side of things. A customer may be screaming for us to design something and have check book in hand but my company will still say no. It would be nice tounderstand all of that a little better.

But, my company will not pay for all of it so I will have to wait. I have enough student loans to last a life time and with a son going into college in a year I can't afford to pay cash right now.

I have thought about a masters in engineering management which involves engineering but also a little bit of the business side of things from a leadership perspective.

 

[plasgears]

The PE is so important to an engineer's development that it should be a universal pursuit. For me it was a mind expanding experience; it made me a better engineer.

Remember what separates tinkerers from engineers: ability to analyze, either ballpark or comprehensive analysis.

 

[brane23]

The ability to confidently and accurately ballpark is so annoying to me (2 yrs experience). I envy the ability and am getting better at it daily...

Remember.. good engineers do not necessarily make good managers and good managers do not necessarily make good engineers.

 

[KENAT]

Plasgears PE isn't important in all sectors of industry, such as Aerospace.

Sure for a mech eng having it gives more options but you can get a job in 'exempt' industry without it.

 

[quark]

I started my evening MBA at 33 (last year) and will be finishing it next year(at 35). It was my commitment to the company when I joined (ofcourse, sponsered by the company) to pursue further education. The city I live in doesn't have masters degree in engineering. So, I decided for MBA. After one year, I am feeling the importance. There are things beyond engineering. I have already started using quantitative techniques in my day to day job (one can argue that they relate to engineering) and they are too good. Finance is one more important aspect.

Having said that, I do wish to have a masters degree after completion of my MBA. I see MBA as professional and Masters Degree in Engineering as personal acheivements, for myself.

Good luck,

 

[plasgears]

kenat,

Agreed, the PE is not universally required in all industries, but the PE prep experience is a good finishing experience for engineers.

I was working in aero at the time I took the exams. Plant mgt recommended the PE strongly. About 200 engrs applied for the in-plant prep, and the state brought the exam into the plant. I took both exams back to back, and got the PE.

During a quality review by GM, it was discovered that I had the PE, and the reviewers said that PE calcs are received with confidence by GM. It's considered expert opinion.

 

[swivel63]

i've reviewed some PE calcs before.

hardly expert to me, LOLOL

a couple years ago, my boss asked when i was going to take thte exam....and i said i think i'm too young and not yet deserving of it yet.

he said

"there's plenty of PE's with 30 years experience who don't deserve to be called engineers."