| Chemistry student - is an MBA a good idea for me?I've done some research on this and I've seen that MBAs are regarded as useless without any work experience. However, I thought I'd ask anyway since this is a circumstantial issue. I'm a chemistry major (previously pre-med) but I decided that I would much rather go into the corporate/business world. I like chemistry, but I hate chemistry lab. I really like learning about chemistry and doing synthesis problems where you have to use all your knowledge to solve the problem. Chemistry lab, on the other hand, is a whole 'nother story and I can't stand it because it's so boring. So I think that if I graduate with a chemistry degree then I'm going to hate the type of work that I'll be doing. So my question is should I start over and major in something like accounting, or can I get my chemistry degree and then go straight into an MBA program (which is what I would rather do)? Also, I don't necessarily have goals of managing a pharmacy or chemical plant (but that would be cool). I'd be happy with any company
Asked By: lilroach679 - 12/28/2012 |
Definitely finish your chemistry degree. Then a get a job and work two or three years before applying for the MBA. It does not matter if it's work you hate. The MBA program will appreciate the experience you get, even if it is lab work, because you will be able to contribute a lot to your classes. A science like chemistry and MBA is a great combination.
MBA programs accept students with a bachelor’s degree in any undergraduate field. They prefer students who do not have a business major because they give you the business training but they cannot provide the broad background that managers should have. The best majors are in the sciences, engineering, or math, but other majors are also suitable. Any field of endeavor can use good management. The reason for avoiding a business undergraduate degree is that it results in too much duplication with the MBA and leaves you with a narrow focus. On the other hand, companies hiring MBA graduates are looking for those who earned the MBA but can also communicate with the people that they have to manage as they advance in their jobs.
MBA programs prefer students with 2-4 years work experience after the first degree. Some accept students right out of college if they have good grades and a high GMAT score. Some MBA programs are designed specifically for new college graduates without work experience. But in those programs you don't get the benefit of learning from other students who have work experience. A lot of valuable learning takes place through class interaction. Also when you graduate your job offers will be about the same as a business undergraduate gets because you have no work experience, and you've been two years out of your undergraduate field so it's hard to get work in that area.
Consult the Internet and search for sites such as MBA Guide, Official MBA Guide, MBA Program Guide, etc. You can find a comprehensive free public service with more than 2,000 MBA programs listed worldwide. It publishes only official data provided by university administrators, without modifying or editing the data. This site allows you to search for programs by location (US, Europe, Far East, etc.), by concentration (finance, marketing, aviation management, health management, accounting, etc.), by type of program (full-time, distance learning, part-time, executive, and accelerated), and by listing your own criteria and preferences to get a list of universities that satisfy your needs. Schools report their accreditation status, tuition cost, number of students, class sizes, program length, and a lot of other data. Schools provide data on entrance requirements, program costs, program characteristics, joint degrees, and much more. You can use the guide to contact schools of your choice, examine their data, visit their web site, and send them pre applications. You can see lists of top 40 schools ranked by starting salaries of graduates, GMAT scores, and other criteria. There is also a lot of information about the MBA degree, a resources leading to other helpful programs.
Answered By: Prof - 12/28/2012 |