Is an MBA worth it? • Hacker News Board

Re: Is an MBA worth it?

#11

Post by samfisher83 » Mon, Apr 21, 2014, 2:25 PM UTC

I think the biggest benefit is the network you will build there. There are some really cool/smart people there.

Re: Is an MBA worth it?

#12

Post by rajacombinator » Tue, Apr 22, 2014, 11:30 PM UTC

You don't do an MBA to learn, you do it to get a Harvard/Stanford stamp on your resume and to party with future movers and shakers. Duh.

Re: Is an MBA worth it?

#13

Post by piratebroadcast » Fri, Apr 25, 2014, 3:44 PM UTC

No.

Re: Is an MBA worth it?

#14

Post by projectramo » Fri, Apr 25, 2014, 3:52 PM UTC

By that logic you would never go to any school since you can learn almost anything online. But the MBA's value includes branding and networking, which is why you made a point of mentioning the "top ten" school. What is your alternative? Is it a rare opportunity? If you got into HBS, GSB or Wharton, I would almost certainly go to B-school.

Re: Is an MBA worth it?

#15

Post by tptacek » Fri, Apr 25, 2014, 4:20 PM UTC

I worked in product marketing management for a couple years, as a break from software development, alongside MBAs. Every MBA I met I asked that question to, and every one of them said that there was value in the networking, but not much value in the education itself.

If you're thinking about building a career in early-stage tech companies, I'd also worry that the rules are changing too fast for a curriculum to track them, and they are bending more in the direction of software development than in business arcana like Porter's 5 Forces.

Accounting courses, though. Being able to work with cash flows. People have told me that was valuable. Of course, you can get that without paying for an MBA.