Something that's great about part time programs is that everyone you're in school with is in the same boat - they already have generally decent careers but are ambitious and capable enough to make the investment in furthering themselves (or pivoting) - that's a great group. The full-time MBAs kinda felt like "kids" in comparison - I don't mean that as a put down, they were capable and driven in their own way, I just think the part timers are special in that way.
Something that worked for me - I didn't feel the urge to graduate quickly (would be different if I needed the degree to pivot roles) so I graduated in 5 years whereas others did it in 2. This had multiple benefits: I got to focus more on each class w/o burning out, and I got to meet WAY more people and do many more social things - ski trips, study abroad, etc.
I also took the strategy of trying to learn what I don't know. My background is in engineering/tech/economics, so I made sure to not take any "Managing IT" type classes and to test out of as much Econ as possible. Instead, I focused on things I didn't know anything about (entrepreneurship, marketing, competitive strategy etc.) All of that served me well.
Mainly, the MBA is social and fun. A bit after I graduated, I opted for an in person graduate program in Data Science and promptly bailed. The social element was so boring that there was no reason to be traveling to campus - was missing out nothing compared to studying at home. But the MBA, the material is good but I found the social/personal evolution just as if not more valuable.
Happy to answer anything else. What school are you going to?
xyzelement|3 years ago
Something that's great about part time programs is that everyone you're in school with is in the same boat - they already have generally decent careers but are ambitious and capable enough to make the investment in furthering themselves (or pivoting) - that's a great group. The full-time MBAs kinda felt like "kids" in comparison - I don't mean that as a put down, they were capable and driven in their own way, I just think the part timers are special in that way.
Something that worked for me - I didn't feel the urge to graduate quickly (would be different if I needed the degree to pivot roles) so I graduated in 5 years whereas others did it in 2. This had multiple benefits: I got to focus more on each class w/o burning out, and I got to meet WAY more people and do many more social things - ski trips, study abroad, etc.
I also took the strategy of trying to learn what I don't know. My background is in engineering/tech/economics, so I made sure to not take any "Managing IT" type classes and to test out of as much Econ as possible. Instead, I focused on things I didn't know anything about (entrepreneurship, marketing, competitive strategy etc.) All of that served me well.
Mainly, the MBA is social and fun. A bit after I graduated, I opted for an in person graduate program in Data Science and promptly bailed. The social element was so boring that there was no reason to be traveling to campus - was missing out nothing compared to studying at home. But the MBA, the material is good but I found the social/personal evolution just as if not more valuable.
Happy to answer anything else. What school are you going to?
lvzw|3 years ago
adamsmith143|3 years ago