MBA: The Way Forward?

"In your organization, do you think getting an MBA is still a good career move for an engineer?"

Depends on what your using them for.

Earlier in my career I always felt engineers could do it better that anyone else. But its a different mindset.

I don't or won't take away the value of an MBA. But I will add, that you are changing careers by earning one. When that happens, it would be great if one could retain the good qualities of an engineer such as ethics and long term vision without succumbing to the pressures of the bottom line immediate results business attitude, but as the norms go, you would only be mediocre, actual less then mediocre in a MBA position.

I agree. an undergraduates degree is the bare requirements just to start with. You have to separate yourself from the pack. Or have a good solid history of success.

G.A for good post. I agree with your comments.

You are right, I have come across many MBAs who have cheated many corporates. Also there are many instances of cheating cases where culprits were MBAs. They act like bullies and try to dominate themselves in the organisations. There are instances wherein some of the MBAs who were drawing fat salaries but have contributed practically nil to the organisations. They are good only to draft good direct mail letters. They dress up well and show off shiny pens in the pockets and latest gadgets in their palms.Impressive personalities.

It goes deeper, maybe like changing the accepted norms of an MBA. and actually have them took a longer term vision for a company. Instead of the short term, quick profits, compromised future approach.

Business administration...
Isn't that what a proper old fashioned secretary used to do?

If you were going to pursue an advanced degree - why not a Masters in your field?

That said if you want to climb above the working engineer ranks and in a larger company; find out about training in the in house financial system.

I used to say the same thing. Many careers (not just engineering) start with the ability to do your job. Moving up in the beginning is often how well you can do it. In my experience, there is a point at which "climbing the ladder" is dependant more on the ability to organize and lead a team and manage finances and less on how competent someone is at doing the details.

So the conclusion I've drawn is fairly simple, but seems to apply most anywhere. If you like doing the work, then get as much knowledge you can in your field. If you aspire to be an administrator and lead in the field, then an MBA is the best bet.

A point well made