For the guys with MBAs

[Bob Smith]

I am very strongly considering going back to school to get my MBA. My first step is to perpare for and take the GMATs. Do you guys have any suggestions on that?

Also, how difficult are the actual classes. Some people Ive talked to said that most of the work is reading. Just wondering what you guys thought about that.

Thanks!

[SweetDickWilly]

Originally Posted by Bob Smith

I am very strongly considering going back to school to get my MBA. My first step is to perpare for and take the GMATs. Do you guys have any suggestions on that?

Also, how difficult are the actual classes. Some people Ive talked to said that most of the work is reading. Just wondering what you guys thought about that.

Thanks!

A good place to take practice exams........www.kaptest.com or petersons.com It's a fairly easy exam (scored a 709 the first time)

[SweetDickWilly]

Originally Posted by SweetDickWilly

A good place to take practice exams........www.kaptest.com or petersons.com It's a fairly easy exam (scored a 709 the first time)

Do you have any particular colleges in mind?

[Diablo570]

Originally Posted by Bob Smith

I am very strongly considering going back to school to get my MBA. My first step is to perpare for and take the GMATs. Do you guys have any suggestions on that?

Also, how difficult are the actual classes. Some people Ive talked to said that most of the work is reading. Just wondering what you guys thought about that.

Thanks!

Yo BS (nice initials btw), my brother is getting his MBA right now (1st year, second half). The classes arent that hard, just a lot of group and that makes scheduling very hard. He is always meeting up with his groups to work on projects and assignments. It gets annoying he says.

I Actually just spent the past hour applying to 2 universities for their MBA program--full time. Man that is boring and tedious!
As for the GMAT exam.....well, I got my ass handed to me on it! I even took the $1100 Princeton Review Prep course! It didnt do a damn thing for me or my brother. Most people however greatly benefit from it, so that is an option.
Take a practice exam (google search it) to get a feel for what its like. It will take about 3 hours on a PC without the essay.

I say go for your MBA! Dont think about it, just DO IT! If you go full time, you can get it done in about 1 year (summer coarses and a winter coarse too). Most people complete their MBA in 1.5 - 2 years though.
JUST DO IT!

Diablo

[Bob Smith]

Originally Posted by SweetDickWilly

Do you have any particular colleges in mind?

Yes, but I would prefer not to say openly. The one I have in mind is ranked in the Top 25 nationally.

[Kayz]

Originally Posted by Bob Smith

Yes, but I would prefer not to say openly. The one I have in mind is ranked in the Top 25 nationally.

That wouldn't be Grambling then.....LOL.

[Bob Smith]

Originally Posted by Kayz

That wouldn't be Grambling then.....LOL.

lol, nope!

[Kayz]

Originally Posted by Bob Smith

lol, nope!

IMO, a masters degree is overrated when it comes to real world experience. Business is one of those professions where you can take all the classes you want, but they never really prepare you for what is really coming.

It looks good on paper and a resume especially in that it shows a certain amount of dedication and sacrifice on your part.

Take me for example. I have degrees in biology and biochemistry....never took a true business class in college. I got into med school, but decided that that really wasn't me anymore. My parents own 2 small businesses and my dad really needed help, so I went to work for him. I didn't know shit about business, but I guarantee I know more than any undergrad business major right now. It just comes with experience.

[Diablo570]

Originally Posted by Kayz

IMO, a masters degree is overrated when it comes to real world experience. Business is one of those professions where you can take all the classes you want, but they never really prepare you for what is really coming.

It looks good on paper and a resume especially in that it shows a certain amount of dedication and sacrifice on your part.

Take me for example. I have degrees in biology and biochemistry....never took a true business class in college. I got into med school, but decided that that really wasn't me anymore. My parents own 2 small businesses and my dad really needed help, so I went to work for him. I didn't know shit about business, but I guarantee I know more than any undergrad business major right now. It just comes with experience.

LMAO Kayz! You got screwed with the biology degree too eh?
I made a poor decision to get my bio degree. I love business and took many upper level business courses towards the end of college. I really want my MBA. Its a must if you want to start up and successfully run a business. Im not talking about opening a paint shop or taco stand either (which are all fine). Im talking about getting a biotech company funded by some penny pinching angels other start-up capital providers. They want MBAs, not PhDs.
You are right though, in that an MBA doesnt mean success, however, looks good on paper. Just keep in mind that 8/10 start-ups wont make it past the first year. Not because the owner isnt working hard, rather he/she does NOT know how to run a business.
(TIP:just because you can bake the BEST pies in the WORLD, it doesnt mean you should open a bakery!)

Diablo

[Mark Kerr]

I say go for it. People say real-world this and real-world that, but the start-up failure rate only applies to those actually starting a new business. Most business people aren’t entrepreneurs, and the MBA is a way to get your foot into the door. Trust me, if an MBA was worse less than real-world experience, there wouldn’t be an intelligent person in the world going after that degree.

That being said, the real worth of an advanced degree usually isn’t the knowledge that one learns in school, it is the opportunities that degree opens up for you. You can have 3 lifetimes of experience, but try applying to a Fortune 500 Executive spot with "I worked at my Dad's auto dealership" on your resume. BUH-BYE.

Starting a business is an entirely other animal. That is where "Street smarts" and "real-world experience" really pays off. My best-friend in high-school and college's father was a Korean man who could barely speak English and had no formal education. He made over 500K per year on his gas-stations and dry-cleaner businesses (this isn’t a joke either.)

But remember, you can never be TOO educated.

Just my 2 cents...

[topshane]

Originally Posted by Bob Smith

I am very strongly considering going back to school to get my MBA. My first step is to perpare for and take the GMATs. Do you guys have any suggestions on that?

Also, how difficult are the actual classes. Some people Ive talked to said that most of the work is reading. Just wondering what you guys thought about that.

Thanks!

I will get my wife on this one shes a 2nd year student.If you want i can pm you some stuff shes working on so you can get the idea..I will have her respond tonight.

[Bob Smith]

Originally Posted by Mark Kerr

My best-friend in high-school and college's father was a Korean man who .... made over 500K per year on his gas-stations and dry-cleaner businesses

Koreans run the best dry-cleaners. The ones back home in NY do a WAY better job (and at lower cost) than the white people that do the cleaning where I live now. Boy do I miss the Koreans.

MK, I agree wholeheartedly with your statements. Im not going for my MBA in order to open up and run a business, I want the extra education and contacts to open up more opportunities (and at higher $$) than what Im getting with my BS.

Originally Posted by Mark Kerr

But remember, you can never be TOO educated.

Thats not entirely true. Too much formal education, or too many degrees, and people wont consider you for jobs. My dad wont hire a PhD because they are more worried about analyzing the minutiae rather than getting the damn job done. Now, if you mean the idea of constantly learning (not necessarily in a school environment), then I agree with you. If you dont continue your education on your own, then you will limit yourself, your job possibilities and your income.

[Bob Smith]

Originally Posted by topshane

I will get my wife on this one shes a 2nd year student.If you want i can pm you some stuff shes working on so you can get the idea..I will have her respond tonight.

Thanks bro, it would be much appreciated. Jewel has her Masters in Education, so she has some good ideas, but doesnt specifically have knowledge about MBA programs. Have her PM me.

[Dowstrategy]

I got my MBA from the University of Tennessee in 1980. Best decision I ever made. Kayz and others are right in that it is a door opener, opportunity maker, and its up to you what happens after the door is opened. Your decision to go to a well ranked school is correct also. It does make a difference where you got the degree for your early opportunities. After that the focus is on you. Good luck!

[Kayz]

I work in the chemical industry. I deal a lot with the Chinese as well as US manufacturers. I'm not talking about a little here and a little here.....I'm talking about millions of pounds of products on a dialy basis.

This industry is very cut-throat and can be nasty as their is so much competition. You really have to be on top of your game to do well or you are out in the cold. I have yet to come across an MBA whom I deal with regularly. Most of these guys are just natural business men who have a talent.

As I said, MBA's can be valuable in getting a job or helping you advance, but it is not a guarantee of more money or more promotions.....that is based on your performance. And I'm sure there are plenty of high school educated individuals taht can run circles around MBA's.

But if you are in an industry in which an MBA IS IMPORTANT, then I say go for it. It will not hurt you.