Is an MBA program a smart choice for me?

If you're happy in your current job then why don't you do a part time MBA?

I agree with Pacman, that it seems like a part time is a good option. While you are thinking of switching roles, it seems like getting into strategy consulting with your background will be logical to potential employers. Getting into I-banking might require a little more legwork on your end.

The thing I will caution you about regarding part time programs, is that you do not have the full access to recruiting that full time gets. If you're using the MBA to switch into strategy, you likely won't need that access, but if you are trying to make a complete change altogether (like going into I-banking), then you will likely need the recruiting resources behind you.

Before you apply, I would do a little more diligence to see which of these career paths seems like the one you feel like doing and make the decision based on that.

Thank you for the feedback, pacman007 and CaliBankerSF. I never considered part-time MBAs because, 1) If I'll be enrolling in an MBA program, I would be looking forward to switching my career, and part-time programs usually lack strong recruiting services / support as you mentioned, and 2) when I consider MBA programs and think of reasons why I want to attend one, I find myself not valuing the academic learning and knowledge gathering as much as gaining valuable networks and opportunities to land a good job through the on-campus recruiting support. Part-time programs usually lack the latter two, which I value the most, so I wasn't really looking at part-time programs.

I may be content with my current job in terms of the projects, travelling, how the business is organized, etc. What I am not content with is my current level of responsibilities and salary, and this was why I had been trying to get into an MBA program originally.

Any other words of wisdom and feedback? Thank you for the help.

Betsy Massar:

TrueMorgan:

Do you think it makes sense for me to apply to full-time programs this year and try to switch into other industries / roles I find interesting?

First, it sounds like you did pretty well, at least to get as far as you did last year -- getting into the interview pool is usually a sign that you have something attractive in your background. So I wonder if you might want to improve on your interview skills, or focus on some new, exciting work you have done in the last year. So that argues for trying again for full-time

Second, I think you might want to talk to people who are in the Stern PT program, and see if they find it of value for career enhancement or switching. The thing about career and recruiting help in the full time program is that there is a formal process, and that's fine. BUT, if you are in NY already, if you network and hustle, you might be able to get traction in a new industry such as strategy consulting. You aren't that far away from it, if you are already doing consulting for a Big4 firm. So that argues for trying at least the Stern PT program. I don't see why you need to wait to do the Columbia EMBA program, to be honest, especially since you are ready to take on new responsibilities and more leadership.

Make sense? Or am I missing something?

Thank you for the response, Betsy. I'd like to give you a couple of responses of my own, related to what you've told me. Please let me know of your thoughts.

• I have a few friends who work in strategy consulting (MBB) currently, and I've tried to network through them. I was introduced to their colleagues in their NY office, had conversations etc. I learned through talking to them that most strategy consulting firms are strictly either campus recruiting (for which I'm already too late) or recruiting experienced professionals at a project leader+ level, for which I'm too inexperienced. It seemed that everyone's advice was that going through an MBA program would be my best shot at transferring to strategy consulting. For an industry like tech operations, yes, I think what you've stated is valid, that hustling and networking should provide me with opportunities to switch. I have been trying this as well, mainly through connecting with alums of my schools. I landed a couple of interviews for positions that I found attractive, but my efforts have largely in vain.
• One of my colleagues on my last engagement actually did Stern PT program. And she recommended FT programs, rather than PT, for the reasons I've already listed on one of my previous posts. She said that MBA programs offer just too much opportunities to attend industry leader lectures and networking opportunities that they warrant full-time dedication.

Thank you again for your thoughts on my dilemma, Betsy. My biggest question is that, with my current state in terms of previously stated salary and level of responsibility, would it be a smart choice to go for a full-time MBA now for the next 2 years? Since I've switched career once, and spent 2 years in another master's of engineering program, I am already 29 without much to show in career progressions.