Asian IT Professional Seeking Career Change Advice: Best US Graduate Programs for High Pay and Good WLB(~50hour/week)?

Hey everyone,

I'm a 28-year-old Asian IT professional (non-SWE, currently working as an IT consultant) with ambitious goals. I'm looking to maximize my earning potential while maintaining a good work-life balance (WLB). To achieve this, I'm considering pursuing a graduate degree in the US for a career change.

Here are some options I'm considering, along with potential salaries:

  1. MBA, aiming for PM or LDP roles (assuming consulting won't offer good WLB) → $150k
    1. Chicago Booth stats: https://www.chicagobooth.edu/boothsitecore/docs/2022-2023_Final_Employment_Statistics_Full-Time.xls
    2. Kellogg stats: https://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/-/media/files/careers/2023/kellogg-full-time-class-of-2023-outcomes-two-year-mba-program.ashx?la=enBusiness Analytics Master's, targeting analyst roles at consulting firms → $130k
  2. Supply Chain Management (SCM) Master's, aiming for analyst positions at consulting firms or something?→ $140k?
    1. MIT SCM stats: https://scm.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/SCM-Career-Outcomes-2022-2023_.pdf
  3. Business Analytics Master's, targeting analyst roles at consulting firms or something? → $130k?

    1. MIT MBAn stats: https://mitsloan.mit.edu/master-of-business-analytics/meet-class

  4. Financial Engineering Master's, pursuing quant roles → $150k
    1. Berkeley MFE placements: https://mfe.haas.berkeley.edu/careers/mfe-placements#2023
    2. Columbia MSFE: https://ieor.columbia.edu/2022-msfe-placement-statistics
  5. Master’s in Engineering or Engineering Management to pursue PM roles →$150K
    1. MIT SDM: https://sdm.mit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/MIT-SDM_Employment-Report-2023.pdf
  6. Any other specific universities or master's programs you'd recommend?

I'd appreciate your insights on:

  • Which option offers the best balance of high pay and good WLB?
  • Are there other programs or career paths I should consider?
  • Any advice for an international student pursuing this path?
  • Experiences from those who've made similar career transitions?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

Best US Graduate Programs for High Pay and Good WLB(~50hour/week)?

MBA, aiming for PM or LDP roles (assuming consulting won't offer good WLB)
0% (0 votes)
Supply Chain Management (SCM) Master's, aiming for analyst positions at consulting firms
0% (0 votes)
Financial Engineering Master's, pursuing quant roles
0% (0 votes)
Master’s in Engineering or Engineering Management to pursue PM roles
0% (0 votes)
Any other specific universities or master's programs you'd recommend?
100% (2 votes)
Any other specific universities or master's programs you'd recommend?
0% (0 votes)
Total votes: 2
1 Comments
 

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