The biggest value an MBA provides (and this is not me claiming it does or doesn't provide other value) is that companies recruit out of them. If you are looking to make a career change, it can be tough to get considered for roles you might do well in, given your lack of experience, but companies are demonstrably more willing to hire into roles without relevant work experience if coming from a solid MBA program.
Sheryl Sandberg Says an MBA Doesn't Matter in Tech
131–139 of 139 posts
Re: Sheryl Sandberg Says an MBA Doesn't Matter in Tech
#132I've never worked with MBAs before, in all my tech career, which included stints as a programmer and then a long period as a manager/director where I was in a much more business-oriented role. I always had a preconception that "MBA" essentially meant "management consultant", those high-priced guys who were paid to support bad news the CEO didn't want to seem came from himself. Restructuring advisement is certainly a…
In my experience, ex-consultants are nearly always extraordinarily capable. The anti-consultant bias comes from what consultants are often asked to do, not from their competency.
Re: Sheryl Sandberg Says an MBA Doesn't Matter in Tech
#133I'm in startup tech, I have an MBA, and I agree. The qualification itself is largely irrelevant. More to the point, most of what I was taught in my MBA course is irrelevant to a bootstrapping startup using Lean/Customer Development methods.
There are MBA programs that claim to be entrepreneurial-focused. Do you think they could be worthwhile?
An MBA is an academic qualification, taught mostly by academics. Academics generally won't teach Lean because there hasn't been much academic discussion of it (yet). Mind you, I completed mine in 2013, so it's possible there's been some changes since.
Entrepreneurial units in my MBA focussed on writing 40-page business plans for conventional bricks-and-mortar businesses with known business models. Which is fine, because that's what 90% of entrepreneurs do. Building a business without knowing the business model before you start is stupid risky according to this mindset (and they're right, it is, but that's half the fun).
Re: Sheryl Sandberg Says an MBA Doesn't Matter in Tech
#134I'm in startup tech, I have an MBA, and I agree. The qualification itself is largely irrelevant. More to the point, most of what I was taught in my MBA course is irrelevant to a bootstrapping startup using Lean/Customer Development methods.
ehh... MBAs are pretty useful when you raise ridiculous later stage round and need to justify a high burn rate so you hire a team of them.... The MBA could be useful but most MBA curriculums have not adjusted to the speed of firm development in the startup space. the degree needs a 21st century revamp.
It needs decoupling from academia, like a lot of university education. It's not a vocational qualification, yet industry treats it as if it is (Computer Science also suffers from this), so the universities do their best to make it as vocational as they can.
It really needs to be separated out into "advanced management training", a "masters of business research" for the academics, and really a "business teaching qualification" as a third option. Trying to wedge all these objectives into one course is hurting everyone.
Re: Sheryl Sandberg Says an MBA Doesn't Matter in Tech
#135I'm a developer at a financial services company. I was content to be a developer and let the "business" folks define our stories and I'd just code them. I never understood the application I was building on a deep level--it was always superficial. A friend convinced me to take a few MBA classes at a local university. The first class was accounting. It opened my eyes to understanding what our product and business owner…
That's really interesting. I am like you were. I am a developer but all the decisions are done above my head. I don't feel like I don't understand the whys and I do have my own questions to why things were done the way they were and I have opinions on improvements. The problem is that that is not my job. The company wants business people to plan and developers to create - because that makes sense. Everyone's time is…
Great questions eecks!
> The problem is that that is not my job. The company wants business people to plan and developers to create - because that makes sense. Everyone's time is used for their strengths.
Why isn't it your job to ask questions and suggest better ways to do things? I'm not saying you should be contrarian, but in my experience the business owner welcomes suggestions for app improvements if done respectfully.
I had the illusion that I understood the business reasons, just because I was familiar with the terminology...but really, I didn't quite have the full picture.
> After you did your MBA, did you take up new responsibilities in work?
Actually, yes. Due to the confidence in my Accounting and Finance classes, I really started to stand out among my peers. It led to a promotion to a lead developer and then I was nominated for my company's "Emerging Leader" program (open to less than 2% of employees).
I have since parlayed it into a director of software development job at a small tech company. When I met with the founder and the management my MBA was a key reason why they offered me the salary I wanted. I get to sit in the management meetings and talk about marketing, pricing, hiring and team size. My Strategy class has given me a framework for focusing on our strengths. My Finance classes have given me an understanding of how to value different projects and their resulting cashflows. My Accounting classes have given me the ability to speak the language of business. My marketing classes have allowed me to talk about market segments and understand why the Marketing team is so insistent that we keep a brand message consistent throughout our products.
> Do you think it would be worthwhile for someone in my position to do an MBA considering I don't feel like you did?
I think I'd approach I'd ask myself the following questions:
* Do I keep quiet in meetings because I lack certainty or confidence about what the business people are saying?
* Do I have 4-6 hours a week for the next 2-3 years I can spend on class and coursework?
* Do I anticipate leading a software team someday or founding a company?
* Do I struggle to gain credibility with influential people?
* Do I think I'd like to teach at a community college or higher?
* Do I lack the motivation to read intentionally, forcing myself to really understand and absorb the information?
If you answer yes to 4 or more of these I think you could benefit from an MBA. I think you could get a lot of the knowledge by reading books from Drucker, Levinson, Carnegie, and Collins. I read a lot of these books too, before I started taking MBA classes. I had knowledge, but didn't have confidence (or a fuller understanding).
Sorry for the long-winded reply...hopefully it's helpful.
Re: Sheryl Sandberg Says an MBA Doesn't Matter in Tech
#136I'm a developer at a financial services company. I was content to be a developer and let the "business" folks define our stories and I'd just code them. I never understood the application I was building on a deep level--it was always superficial. A friend convinced me to take a few MBA classes at a local university. The first class was accounting. It opened my eyes to understanding what our product and business owner…
So, for a financial services company a MBA will offer vertical expertise.
I think the confidence and competence applies in any profit-driven business, in my experience.
Re: Sheryl Sandberg Says an MBA Doesn't Matter in Tech
#137I'm a developer at a financial services company. I was content to be a developer and let the "business" folks define our stories and I'd just code them. I never understood the application I was building on a deep level--it was always superficial. A friend convinced me to take a few MBA classes at a local university. The first class was accounting. It opened my eyes to understanding what our product and business owner…
But, from the article, they're talking about the tech industry. You work in the finance industry.
Yes, I do...but I haven't only worked in the financial industry. I still think an understanding of how business leaders think is helpful in any industry.
"Tech Industry" is pretty broad...Facebook does advertising, marketing, and communication....all areas that benefit from an MBA.
Re: Sheryl Sandberg Says an MBA Doesn't Matter in Tech
#138I'm a developer at a financial services company. I was content to be a developer and let the "business" folks define our stories and I'd just code them. I never understood the application I was building on a deep level--it was always superficial. A friend convinced me to take a few MBA classes at a local university. The first class was accounting. It opened my eyes to understanding what our product and business owner…
I would be interested to hear from you, and anybody else with similar experience, what were some of the most valuable courses you took. That is, for someone with no interest in pursuing an MBA but with the opportunity to take a course or two, what are the must-haves?
I would rank the classes in order:
1. Accounting - It's the language of business. Like learning English before you become a pilot. This class helped me start asking deeper questions when meeting with business people.
2. Finance - Holy cow, the ability to put a value on cashflows and understand the cost of capital really opened my eyes to the big picture. I also use my Finance classes to help when deciding to take Job X or Job Y...
3. Strategy - My FAVORITE class of my MBA. It's helped me when a complex situation arises--I can objectively measure the different components of the problem and look for solutions.
4. Economics - Really impacted me to ignore the hype of the news. "CHINA WILL OVERTAKE THE US ECONOMY IN X YEARS" So what, it isn't a zero-sum game.
Re: Sheryl Sandberg Says an MBA Doesn't Matter in Tech
#139I've never worked with MBAs before, in all my tech career, which included stints as a programmer and then a long period as a manager/director where I was in a much more business-oriented role. I always had a preconception that "MBA" essentially meant "management consultant", those high-priced guys who were paid to support bad news the CEO didn't want to seem came from himself. Restructuring advisement is certainly a…
Why would you jump to the conclusion that their skills have anything at all to do with their MBAs?
Because I'm managing them and I talk to them and watch them work every day.