MBA - Is it worth it?

After a very long time in hibernation, i've decided and promised myself that i'll be more regular in writing new stuff. I guess no time is a bad time and i thought i'll jump in right away and write blogs, regularly.

A month ago one of my friend asked me this question. Why should you do an MBA? Being an MBA myself, i guess he thought it would be appropriate to ask me that question. He also listed some reasons he had in mind for his question.

• I think that it would be a good ladder to move up in career
• I think within a few years I will be bored being in the current job and would want to have new challenges
• I think the job I will get through my MBA degree will help me retire early and/ or let me travel around the world
• When I am 40+ I want to be in a position where I have an impact and say in the business strategy of my company
• As I already have a MS degree and as I know that I don't have the right mindset to stick to a topic for 3+ years and do PhD, my only other option (in terms of higher study) is MBA
• I want to earn more money
  
• I want to earn even more money

And my response was:

I think most of the reasons listed above are achievable after an MBA. But.. the general view of doing an MBA will take me to a different level quickly.. is a MYTH!!! it all depends on what you want to do after an MBA and choosing the right MBA course..

If you want to stay in IT industry for long then there are other quicker ways to move higher up the organizational ladder.. and i really don't see any company giving you a higher promotion or salary hike as soon as you are done with your course... just doing an MBA will definitely not suffice.. if you take my case, one of the main reasons i chose to do an MBA was to move away from IT field.. it might sound strange.. but that is the fact.. i know that it is impossible to move away from technology, but i personally thought i would have more fun if i am doing something else, that i'm trying and working towards.. so.. i believe that its imperative to think about what you really want to do after an MBA and how will an MBA really help you in achieving that.. thats when the specialization (marketing / finance / HR, etc) that you like / want will fit in...

The MBA course.. lets face it.. most of the things that you would learn in an MBA is pure common sense.. ok.. there are some terms, jargons & some stuff that might be new.. but having been in an industry for more than 5 years.. it is not so very difficult to understand those stuff.. i would say the main reason highly experienced people go for an MBA is for networking.. knowing people from different countries, different industries and different age groups and learning with them is a different experience.. and in today' globalized world.. believe me, we've to be better than jack of all trades and know about as many things as possible.. so.. doing an online / distant MBA is as good as doing nothing.. part-time.. i would say it is worth it only if you are doing it in a very good business school.. and good business schools will squeeze you with a lot of things that will make you feel that you don't have time at all.. am not frightening you away from a part-time MBA.. :-) am just telling you what i feel about it and what some guys who i know felt about it.. i would say if you want to realize the true benefits of an MBA.. go for a full time MBA.. but one thing is for sure.. an MBA is definitely a good investment for your life and career no matter what..