Is an MBA worth it, or should one go for certs?

[Paladin]

Would you get an MBA or certificates if you were starting off in IT and wasn't sure whether to stay on the technical side or managerial side.

In Accounting, is an MBA better than the CPA certification?

 

[trolololol]

You've come to the right subforum, prepare to be welcomed with open arms.

 

[Jambo]

the theory on an MBA is that it will return at least the investment... mine has done more

 

[Alex]

Would you get an MBA or certificates if you were starting off in IT and wasn't sure whether to stay on the technical side or managerial side.

In Accounting, is an MBA better than the CPA certification?

 

[RJ43]

Would you get an MBA or certificates if you were starting off in IT and wasn't sure whether to stay on the technical side or managerial side.

In Accounting, is an MBA better than the CPA certification?

If I was starting off in IT I would probably focus on an engineering specialty and experience as much growth as I could achieve there. Then pursue an MBA after if you want to move out or start your own company. Some of the strongest MBA peers I've had were engineers that got PHDs before their MBAs.

For straight up accounting a CPA certification is better. If you are aiming for CFO positions I think there is a mix of paths to get there where you find combinations of CPAs, MBAs, and both. But if you are aiming for large public companies it seems the need for compliance is huge and the Controller path seems to be feeding to the CFO position more than FP&A/Treasury roles that may not need the CPA cert.

 

[Headkicktoleg]

Def a cert. Cert generally actually teach you something tangible.

 

[plataoplombo]

In IT, experience is what counts the most. Sure some jobs will require a degree to even get considered, but once you have you're actually on the job its all about how well you can troubleshoot and resolve problems. If you're really good, people will be begging you to join them. That's what I have seen and personally experienced in both public and private sector.

 

[plataoplombo]

I would almost consider IT to be a sort of trade, a highly technical trade. If your goal is management, then go for the MBA.

 

[ReAnimator Reagan]

Would you get an MBA or certificates if you were starting off in IT and wasn't sure whether to stay on the technical side or managerial side.

In Accounting, is an MBA better than the CPA certification?

my sister is an accountant, get a CPA first

 

[TrippleOG]

Join the NBA

 

[WorldofWarcraft]

Learn a trade. Join a union. Retire in 20 years.

 

[HARRISON_3]

If you get an MBA, make sure to put it on your business card.

@Paladin , MBA

 

[TheNinja]

I'd get an MBA. Mostly for the reason that they never expire. Once you have it you have it. Those stupid certs have to be renewed every few years.

 

[Satsui Ryu]

MBA's are really expensive even from cheap schools and their ROI's kind of suck unless you go to a top school. I have more fingers than there are schools worth the money. Unless your company pays for it and you don't mind giving up the time it takes to get it.

For IT, go for certs. But keep in mind experience is king. Don't go and get an MCSE if you've never even logged in to a server. Get certs that mirror your experience. And if you are gunning for management there are things like ITIL or PMP which would be helpful.

 

[sub_thug]

Most MBAs are trash because there are so many that have saturated the market. If you're getting started, go for the IT cert. It will get you that junior position, and as you get older, you can get the MBA so that you can take on the managerial roles. Getting the degree now is a bit like putting he cart before the horse.

 

[Mondo Freaks]

always learn a trade after undergraduate ie, law, medical, accounting, dentistry

MBAs are too general.

 

[GSP_37]

Nitty gritty high level software specific certifications are probably better to prove you actually know useful shit and didn't just suck dick to get MBA professors to give you A grades and come out not knowing shit and being just as useless as entry level people.

 

[Paladin]

MBA's are really expensive even from cheap schools and their ROI's kind of suck unless you go to a top school. I have more fingers than there are schools worth the money. Unless your company pays for it and you don't mind giving up the time it takes to get it.

For IT, go for certs. But keep in mind experience is king. Don't go and get an MCSE if you've never even logged in to a server. Get certs that mirror your experience. And if you are gunning for management there are things like ITIL or PMP which would be helpful.

I get a sweet deal from the job. They cover a ton of the tuition.. I'm talking 75% of the tuition.

I like ITIL, that's real stuff you can implement across the board.

 

[TankAbbott4Eva]

I have nearly finished my MBA, did an engineering degree as an undergrad. Problem is with a technical degree is that it's all about the techo nitty-gritty and nothing about how to commercialise it, financials etc which will always be relevant no matter what field it is in. So an MBA is worthwhile for sure, whether you want to get into management or not it's a good thing to have just in case, more knowledge is gonna help you.

 

[Deleted member 245586]

In Accounting, is an MBA better than the CPA certification?

No

Also, starting in 2015 to become a CPA, one of the requirements is to have 150 credits, so that is equivalent of a Master's degree