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Do MBA or not

  • 12-09-2010 10:05pm
    #1
    Tomjim
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,362 ✭✭✭


    Folks midranking civil servant here.

    Completed degree in accounting last year.

    Interested in doing masters this year.

    The issue is that if I was to do something which I feel would be relevant to me say with the IPA, it would mean distance education with weekends in Dublin etc, which would not be suitable given my committments, young family and I am a PT farmer.

    Now I have got a place on an MBA course which means me taking a half day off from work each Friday during the school year and there is an odd Sat involved as well. However the College is beside my work , so it quite doable.

    So from a time management point of view the MBA seems to be best option. However is this course suitable for an EO grade and what are career prospects etc. Note I have paid no money so I could easily withdraw from this course.

    Also parts of the course seems to be similar to the degree in accounting which I have obtained.

    What are your views

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    Rusty Cogs 08
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 638 ✭✭✭Rusty Cogs 08


    A 100 views but no replies

    First off, no idea what IPA or EO is (you may wish to explain those). How old are you ?

    I've just started an executive MBA and it's two four hour nights a week plus enough work to fill up all my free time beyond that. When they said we would spend 20 - 25 hours a week on it they meant it. Point being, it's a big commitment. If your MBA is a Friday afternoon and 'the odd Sat' then I'm not sure it's an MBA worth doing, although you haven't posted where it is so I can't (nor anyone else) really comment.

    Career wise, it guarantees you nothing but obviously can't hurt.


  • #3
    lobo1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 14 ✭lobo1


    Not too sure why the distance learning option would be less suitable, the idea being that you would study at home and organise your personal life accordingly, IPA’s courses have three weekends per semester (?)

    For me it the most important factor would be my career plan. You are in the Civil Service, I’m not sure what level an EO is at but do you plan on staying with the CS and moving up the ranks? The MBA is a generalist degree and as you say your undergrad covered similar subjects (the intensity of an MBA not withstanding) would a generalist management degree add significantly to your skillset or make you standout in the CS?

    The Master of Economic Science seems quite interesting for a Civil Service careerist as it adds a skillset that, in my opinion (given all that has happened and the reported lack of CS economic / policy analysis knowledge) will be very much in demand in the Civil Service. There are also distance MPAs, and other masters, offered by some UK universities that may also be of interest.

    My point is that I would not look at an MBA or any master where convenience is the deciding factor, though that is obviously an issue, I would primarily look at how it enriches your existing skillset / or adds new skills, thinking of your career in the CS is an MBA the right option or something specialist or public sector oriented. From that I would then find a course that ticks the most boxes and go for it, and given your personal commitments I would certainly consider a distance programme, from my own experience it is the most flexible option.


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