Need some honest feedback- Nuclear Engineer going back for MBA
So I have been lurking around here the past few weeks since I've been nudged to get an MBA by my employer. I wanted to get some brutally honest feedback from anyone willing to set me straight and give me a decent heading.
I was in the Navy for 6 years, I did nuclear chemistry and radiation physics, mix in some leadership stuff to that and that was my life for 6 years. I got out of the navy and finished my undergrad in Nuclear Engineering while working full time. My GPA was a 3.5/4. Ive been promoted 4 times in the last 7 years, and I am now a superintendent of health physics for a major energy utility in the south east. I am responsible for about 55 people and the overall radiation health program at a nuclear power plant. Ive done a bunch of professional certifications, and its almost gotten me to the ceiling of my department. I have one job to go, but its not a huge bump in pay. Speaking of pay, with bonus I come in around 160-170k a year. I just turned 30, and I have 3 kids- a full time program really isn't suitable for me, nor do I think given my age and background I would get into a top program. (Haven't tried either)
I've asked executive management how to get out of my department, but more importantly with the direction nuclear powering is heading (into the shitter) how can I stay in the industry but get away from a plant. They've asked me to get an MBA. Now, I will get some TA from them and the GI Bill(~23k/year), so money isn't too much of a concern. I do not particularly want to get into banking, but I would like the option to get out of engineering/ technical side and move into the corporate side, into the business world. I applied and got into a number of MBA programs- U of Arizona, U Colorado, U Utah, LSU and Villanova. Like I said, I don't want to crack into investment banking, but I would like the best shot at getting into the business world, even just my employer. I'd like to even get back to the north east, regardless if its nuclear, just maybe energy in general. Given my current salary, is this even something I should consider? I grew up in PA, and Villanova always had a solid reputation as far as undergrad. I also applied there to try and position a return to the north east. Looking for some advice. Thank you.
You should've applied to a few higher ranked schools too- you have an interesting profile. Care to share rough range of gmat score?
I took some practice tests, started off shaky and I've gotten to 680. I was practicing the GMAT while applying. A surprising number of schools were willing to waive the GMAT with my NE degree and GPA along with military service. At this point, I am not sure if I want to continue practicing the GMAT and try for a better school, or go with Villanova. To be honest, I was surprised and thrilled to get into Villanova. For what I intend to do, or rather what I don't intend to do, I wasn't sure whether trying for something better would be worthwhile. I had to keep in mind that its got to be a distance program, so that automatically eliminated a bunch of great schools.
Ok cool. 680 is respectable, though not great, but with your overall profile you'd be odds on for some top schools. Nova is decent I agree.
Thank you- If I may ask, given the circumstance do you think it would be wise to push off Villanova, study and take the GMAT and aim for a higher program? I don't like to look at rankings, especially considering the difference between full time/part time/distance MBAs, but if I were to score around there, maybe higher with some practice, what would be the range of school I should consider, or any schools in particular? Thanks again
I'd be careful about what you say..... beerad86 Your salary figure is at or above first year post MBA salaries. GMAT is not of horror especially for not full time campus programs.
UNC and Carnegie Mellon also has decent programs, and don't be too hyped up of the small victory. Whether you can go or not, searching about Harvard or Stanford for starts will help you see a bigger world
So many typo..
Sure, thanks for the feedback. I guess what I was trying to imply, was that given my situation and my expectations, Villanova is a victory for me.... I am not sure what you were getting at regarding salary. Having three kids and a wife, house, two cars to support makes it difficult to forego salary for two years, in addition to paying for UNC's $105k program. Are you suggesting to take the GMAT and see where else I could get in?
I think that your profile is interesting and that is something that the schools will appreciate. Also you have in your hands the wildcard of not wanting to break into the usual stuff all graduate say they do. I believe that if you started with 680 a 730 is certainly possible if you apply yourself. You should aim higher for sure. My 2 cents.
Setting a more clear goal will get you better advice on which MBA will best help you to get there. If money isn't a concern why aren't you considering a full time program? With your interesting profile if you can get that GMAT above 700 which should be easy enough I'm sure you are competitive for some pretty good schools.
whattherock's point is valid though that you already earn more than most post-MBA jobs so if you are trying to change direction in your career you will likely need to accept earning less than you do now for a while. Given your employer suggested you go for MBA perhaps you are best to stick with your plan of doing a part-time or distance program and see what your employer can offer you as the next step in your career. In that case I'm not familiar with the distance programs but with your profile you should be able to get into any of them.
If you want to make a significant career change though I would give more thought to doing a full time program. I'm in a similar situation to you, though my industry is already in the shitter it probably stands a better chance of making a recovery than nuclear, my employer has suggested I do a part-time or distance program but I'm going to leave and do a full time MBA to make a proper career change. Sure I might graduate on the same or less than what I earn now but if it opens new opportunities then I'm willing to accept the short term pain.
I completely understand your points. The money issue really pertains to not wanting to give up salary and the fact that my company will provide tuition assistance that makes a distance program, such as Villanova plausible in the first place. My wife would have a hard time giving up my salary for two years and paying for the MBA, especially with expenses such as child care, cars, insurance etc. Given that its something that my employer would like me to get, and I intend to stay in energy- distance part time option really is best for my family. There are a couple programs that I will look into such as Florida (Hough), Indiana (Kelley) and perhaps UNC depending on the price. Thank you for your feedback guys.
I'd say apply to better programs. Of your list, Villanova is probably the best when you consider location to financial hubs into the equation. Some of the best classes I've taken were Nova MBA classes.
That being said, you can probably aim higher, even if it's a PT program. You only get one crack at this so don't rush it either.
Indeed, just one crack.
Thank you, would you consider Northeastern, U Florida or Indiana to be better?
Neither. T10-20 programs. Look at UNC, CMU, Duke, NYU, Emory, Rice, etc etc.
NEU and UF are regionals. IU Kelley is around the end of 15-25 programs, so maybe it's ok to consider. But honestly, why would you hear about TNA's shit below, if you don't even know what your "consideration set" is? If you don't have a clear definition of Consideration Set, use McKinsey's consumer journey.
You can do NO MBA, FT, PT in-person MBA, Virtual MBA, or mix of ExecMBAs or Exec programs. I suggested you check out UNC and CMU for totally online MBAs, but do you know what options can fit you all around (cost, life, workload, etc etc?)
If distance learning is your preference - look at Booth, NYU and Kellogg's weekend programs. The top 5 part time programs are light years ahead of other schools. You need to go in person but a huge % of the class flies in and out every Saturday; I've spoken to many of them and they find it absolutely worth it.
https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-business-schools/part-…
I just wanted to update everyone, not that anyone cares, but I wanted to ask another question. I decided on Villanova, I will be graduating in May. Content wise it was good, and coming from my background I felt I learned quite a bit. It has helped me get a role of increased responsibility in my sector, which was the overall goal. If I wanted to switch gears, whould I be able to get into consulting, specifically energy & utilities with my background?
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