[Laurifer]

Hi guys, I've decided to seek the wisdom of the forum for my issue here.

Since I've returned from being abroad, I've been considering what my next steps should be and trying to keep my options open.

A part of this is applying to an MS in Management program in the US. It is only a nine-month program for $24,000 and covers (from the website):

Financial and Managerial Accounting
Organization Theory and Behavior
Managerial Statistics
Managerial Economics
Managerial Finance
Marketing Management
Operations and Supply Chain Management
Strategic Leadership
Business Communications
Project Management
Career Leadership
Ethics
Negotiations

There is also a real-world consulting project at the end of the program.

The reason I am considering this degree is (1) it is a masters degree and I feel it can boost my CV and competitiveness and (2) it will teach me the practical skills that my undergraduate major did not (my BA was far too academic) and (3) I can finish it in just 9 months. I also have no debt from undergrad.

I hear these programs are more popular in Europe, while in the US it is more traditional to pursue an MBA after a few years work experience. My issue is I don't feel like I can get a job with my BA, so I can't really expect to get the work experience I need for an MBA.

Anything you gentlemen might recommend in my position?

[texas]

What was your BA and what do you want to do as far as work in the future?

[Laurifer]

My BA is in International Affairs. Short-term career interests would be to work abroad at an NGO in economic or civil society development for a year or two, or even a development bank. However im really open to any opportunity that might come my way. I just really want to work abroad and open up my career potential in the process.

[Goodtimez]

Does the program you're considering publish employment statistics?

I don't mean, "recent alumni accepted positions in X, Y, and Z."

I do mean, "2014 job placement rate was X, and median salary of jobs was Y."

If not, email someone from their website to setup a call to get some more information to inform your decision.

One of my alma maters offers a program like this now and I'm not sure what the employment prospects are after graduation, so it's hard to give advice.

What kind of school was your BA? E.g., HYPS, other ivy or top private, top public uni, normal public, other?

You graduated in June?

[Laurifer]

The school does promote themselves as exceling at connecting graduates with employers. But finding the real statistics is something i'd need to find out. I'd say my undergrad uni was normal public, while the new uni im looking at is in the same state but far far more renouned.

I graduated may 2013 and took a working gap year before I went overseas for 3 months.

[Goodtimez]

Tough one. What do you want to do after?

Lack of employment statistics makes it tougher to say. Most of these MS management programs are new, too, so it's hard to comment without a lot of history to go off of. I'd try to talk to someone at the schools and really dig around about employment prospects.

The extra brand name will help, and a masters is always good. That said, "management" is still a bit soft and squishy and you'd love some set career paths like consulting, banking, and the corporate rotationals are for top MBA.

What's your best alternate plan?

[LouEvilSlugger]

A Master in Management (MiM) is a not really a real master's program and is pretty much mini-MBA and just like a MBA you won't learn that much... you're basically there for networking so it's in your best interest to make it to a top school and attend every networking event

[Kaebs]

You say that you got your B.A. in internatinal affairs so i'm a bit confused about why you're doing a masters program in the first place???

Are u doing to network, improve your employment prospects??

[Laurifer]

To improve my employment prospects for sure, my BA taught shit for practical real world skills. I could probably scrape something up with my BA but it isn't easy.

Found an internship in South Africa i was very qualified for but they said since I'm no longer enrolled in uni it wouldnt be paid. No way I'm working for free for 6 months.

[monster]

(12-18-2014 12:11 PM)Laurifer Wrote:  

To improve my employment prospects for sure, my BA taught shit for practical real world skills. I could probably scrape something up with my BA but it isn't easy.

It is ironic how you don't really learn anything practical in college unless its a STEM degree.

However, with general positions (sales, marketing, PR, HR, etc) it's amazing the difference between candidates who have gone to college and those who have not. Well it's not a tell all by any means, those who did go to college generally operate on a bit more competent level in the professional business world when interacting with vendors, suppliers, customers, etc.

[Kaebs]

(12-18-2014 12:36 PM)monster Wrote:  

(12-18-2014 12:11 PM)Laurifer Wrote:  

To improve my employment prospects for sure, my BA taught shit for practical real world skills. I could probably scrape something up with my BA but it isn't easy.

It is ironic how you don't really learn anything practical in college unless its a STEM degree.

However, with general positions (sales, marketing, PR, HR, etc) it's amazing the difference between candidates who have gone to college and those who have not. Well it's not a tell all by any means, those who did go to college generally operate on a bit more competent level in the professional business world when interacting with vendors, suppliers, customers, etc.

If you're solely doing it to increase you employment prospects, why not try and really focus on networking for the next 3-6 months and see where that takes you?

[Easy_C]

(12-12-2014 01:30 PM)Goodtimez Wrote:  

Does the program you're considering publish employment statistics?

I don't mean, "recent alumni accepted positions in X, Y, and Z."

I do mean, "2014 job placement rate was X, and median salary of jobs was Y."

This.

Do a little bit of digging and you can find out some interesting information. One local MBA program has an average graduate salary of $55k a year......which is retarded low. You can earn that much managing a waffle house with just an undergrad.